HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR ALCOHOLISM

Alcohol use disorder (which includes a level that's sometimes called alcoholism) is a pattern of alcohol use that involves problems controlling your drinking, being preoccupied with alcohol, continuing to use alcohol even when it causes problems, having to drink more to get the same effect, or having withdrawal symptoms when you rapidly decrease or stop drinking.

Unhealthy alcohol use includes any alcohol use that puts your health or safety at risk or causes other alcohol-related problems. It also includes binge drinking — a pattern of drinking where a male consumes five or more drinks within two hours or a female downs at least four drinks within two hours. Binge drinking causes significant health and safety risks.

If your pattern of drinking results in repeated significant distress and problems functioning in your daily life, you likely have alcohol use disorder. It can range from mild to severe. However, even a mild disorder can escalate and lead to serious problems, so early treatment is important.

Causes--Genetic, psychological, social and environmental factors can impact how drinking alcohol affects your body and behavior. Theories suggest that for certain people drinking has a different and stronger impact that can lead to alcohol use disorder.

Over time, drinking too much alcohol may change the normal function of the areas of your brain associated with the experience of pleasure, judgment and the ability to exercise control over your behavior. This may result in craving alcohol to try to restore good feelings or reduce negative ones.

Symptoms-Alcohol use disorder can be mild, moderate or severe, based on the number of symptoms you experience. Signs and symptoms may include:

·         Being unable to limit the amount of alcohol you drink

·         Wanting to cut down on how much you drink or making unsuccessful attempts to do so

·         Spending a lot of time drinking, getting alcohol or recovering from alcohol use

·         Feeling a strong craving or urge to drink alcohol

·         Failing to fulfill major obligations at work, school or home due to repeated alcohol use

·         Continuing to drink alcohol even though you know it's causing physical, social or interpersonal problems

·         Giving up or reducing social and work activities and hobbies

·         Using alcohol in situations where it's not safe, such as when driving or swimming

·         Developing a tolerance to alcohol so you need more to feel its effect or you have a reduced effect from the same amount

·         Experiencing withdrawal symptoms — such as nausea, sweating and shaking — when you don't drink, or drinking to avoid these symptoms

Alcohol use disorder can include periods of alcohol intoxication and symptoms of withdrawal.

Alcohol intoxication results as the amount of alcohol in your blood stream increases. The higher the blood alcohol concentration is, the more impaired you become. Alcohol intoxication causes behavior problems and mental changes. These may include inappropriate behavior, unstable moods, impaired judgment, slurred speech, impaired attention or memory, and poor coordination. You can also have periods called "blackouts," where you don't remember events. Very high blood alcohol levels can lead to coma or even death.

Alcohol withdrawal can occur when alcohol use has been heavy and prolonged and is then stopped or greatly reduced. It can occur within several hours to four or five days later. Symptoms include sweating, rapid heartbeat, hand tremors, problems sleeping, nausea and vomiting, hallucinations, restlessness and agitation, anxiety, and occasionally seizures. Symptoms can be severe enough to impair your ability to function at work or in social situations

Risk factors--Risk factors for alcohol use disorder include:

Steady drinking over time. Drinking too much on a regular basis for an extended period or binge drinking on a regular basis can lead to alcohol-related problems or alcohol use disorder.

Age. People who begin drinking at an early age, and especially in a binge fashion, are at a higher risk of alcohol use disorder. Alcohol use may begin in the teens, but alcohol use disorder occurs more frequently in the 20s and 30s. However, it can begin at any age.

Family history. The risk of alcohol use disorder is higher for people who have a parent or other close relative who has problems with alcohol. This may be influenced by genetic factors.

Depression and other mental health problems. It's common for people with a mental health disorder such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder to have problems with alcohol or other substances.

Social and cultural factors. Having friends or a close partner who drinks regularly could increase your risk of alcohol use disorder. The glamorous way that drinking is sometimes portrayed in the media also may send the message that it's OK to drink too much. For young people, the influence of parents, peers and other role models can impact risk

Complications-Alcohol depresses your central nervous system. In some people, the initial reaction may be stimulation. But as you continue to drink, you become sedated.

Too much alcohol affects your speech, muscle coordination and vital centers of your brain. A heavy drinking binge may even cause a life-threatening coma or death. This is of particular concern when you're taking certain medications that also depress the brain's function.

Impact on your safety

Excessive drinking can reduce your judgment skills and lower inhibitions, leading to poor choices and dangerous situations or behaviors, including:

·         Motor vehicle accidents and other types of accidental injury, such as drowning

·         Relationship problems

·         Poor performance at work or school

·         Increased likelihood of committing violent crimes or being the victim of a crime

·         Legal problems or problems with employment or finances

·         Problems with other substance use

·         Engaging in risky, unprotected sex, or becoming the victim of sexual abuse or date rape

·         Increased risk of attempted or completed suicide

Impact on your health

Drinking too much alcohol on a single occasion or over time can cause health problems, including:

·         Liver disease. Heavy drinking can cause increased fat in the liver (hepatic steatosis), inflammation of the liver (alcoholic hepatitis), and over time, irreversible destruction and scarring of liver tissue (cirrhosis).

·         Digestive problems. Heavy drinking can result in inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis), as well as stomach and esophageal ulcers. It also can interfere with absorption of B vitamins and other nutrients. Heavy drinking can damage your pancreas or lead to inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).

·         Heart problems. Excessive drinking can lead to high blood pressure and increases your risk of an enlarged heart, heart failure or stroke. Even a single binge can cause a serious heart arrhythmia called atrial fibrillation

• Diabetes complications. Alcohol interferes with the release of glucose from your liver and can increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This is dangerous if you have diabetes and are already taking insulin to lower your blood sugar level.
• Sexual function and menstruation issues. Excessive drinking can cause erectile dysfunction in men. In women, it can interrupt menstruation. 
• Eye problems. Over time, heavy drinking can cause involuntary rapid eye movement (nystagmus) as well as weakness and paralysis of your eye muscles due to a deficiency of vitamin B-1 (thiamine). A thiamine deficiency also can be associated with other brain changes, such as irreversible dementia, if not promptly treated.
• Birth defects. Alcohol use during pregnancy may cause miscarriage. It also may cause fetal alcohol syndrome, resulting in giving birth to a child who has physical and developmental problems that last a lifetime.
• Bone damage. Alcohol may interfere with the production of new bone. This bone loss can lead to thinning bones (osteoporosis) and an increased risk of fractures. Alcohol can also damage bone marrow, which makes blood cells. This can cause a low platelet count, which may result in bruising and bleeding.
• Neurological complications. Excessive drinking can affect your nervous system, causing numbness and pain in your hands and feet, disordered thinking, dementia, and short-term memory loss.
• Weakened immune system. Excessive alcohol use can make it harder for your body to resist disease, increasing your risk of various illnesses, especially pneumonia. 
• Increased risk of cancer. Long-term excessive alcohol use has been linked to a higher risk of many cancers, including mouth, throat, liver, colon and breast cancer. Even moderate drinking can increase the risk of breast cancer.
• Medication and alcohol interactions. Some medications interact with alcohol, increasing its toxic effects. Drinking while taking these medications can either increase or decrease their effectiveness, or make them dangerous.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homoeopathic remedies gives a complete cure for alcoholism and also the side effects of chronic alcoholic . Some of the important remedies are given below --

SULPHURIC ACID Q- Sulphuric acid is one of the top remedies for alcoholism. The patient experiences heartburn ,   sour eructation’s and sour vomiting.Craving for alcohol is an important  symptom of this remedy. It is prescribed when water causes coldness of stomach , must be mixed with liquors .The patient experiences relaxed feeling in stomach, which is relieved by heat application.Aversion to the smell of coffee .

QUERCUS GLANDIUM SPIRITUS Q- Quercus is considered to be a specific for alcoholism. There is dropsy and liver affections. It will antidotes the bad effects of alcohol.

ANGELICA  Q- Angelica is another effective remedy for alcoholism. Angelica produces disgust for liquor It will also correct atony of different organs , dyspepsia, nervous headache etc.

CAMPHOR Q- Camphor should be tried when Angelica failed in controlling alcoholism. There is coldness in stomach followed by burning.

CHINA  OFF. Q- China is one of the best remedies for alcoholism. China will remove the craving for alcohol in drunkards who wish to reform.There is internal coldness of stomach and abdomen. Liver and spleen enlarged. Patient experiences flatulence , and there is belching of bitter fluid or regurgitation of food gives no relief.

SULPHUR 3- Sulphur should be tried when China fails . The patient has great desire to drink alcohol  all the time . Wants to drink from morning till evening or till awake. There is complete loss of appetite and very weak and faint feeling in stomach at about 11 am , must have something to eat.

STERCULIA  Q—Sterculia  is another effective remedy for alcoholism. It promotes the appetite and digestion and lessens the craving for alcohol.

STRYCHNINUM NITRICUM 3X- Strychninum nitricum removes the craving for alcohol in any form.

ARSENIC ALBUM 30-Arsenic alb stops the craving for alcohol and helps in reducing the ill effects of excessive alcoholism. Arsenic patient  experiences great anxiety, restlessness and fear of death. There is delirium tremens.

CAPSICUM ANNUM Q- Capsicum annum is also effective for controlling great desire for alcohol. It is prescribed when the patient has vomiting and diarrhea.

APOCYNUM CANNABINUM Q- Apocynum cannabinum  is effective for curing great craving for alcohol. The patients are low spirited and experiences anxiety and depression. There is severe nausea and vomiting. The patient experiences difficulty in passing urine and it takes long time. The urine is hot , turbid mixed with thick mucus and burning in urethra after urinating.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR THE BAD EFFECTS OF ALCOHOLISM

NUX VOMICA 30- Nux vomica is prescribed when there is giddiness and  restlessness after alcohol drinking. Heavy vomiting after drinking. The patient experiences nausea and trembling after drinking. Nervousness due to drinking wine or liquor. Nux vomica patients are frightened by little noise and spring up at night with dreadful dreams. This patients have a tendency to envy and jealousy. They commit  suicide by shooting or stabbing.

AVENA SATIVA Q-Avena sativa is prescribed for sleeplessness and nervousness in drunkards. Avena sativa takes away the longing for alcohol.

ANTIMONIUM TART. 30- Antimonium tart. is prescribed for vomiting in drunkards  with white coated tongue.

CARDUS MARIANUS Q- Cardus mar. is very effective for liver troubles, liver pain, constipation alternating with diarrhea  seen in chronics alcoholics especially beer drinkers.

CROTALUS HORRIDUS 30- Crotalus hor. Is prescribed for liver diseases seen in chronic alcoholics .

CHIMAPHILA UMBELLATA 30- Chimaphila umbellate is effective for  the removal of renal and hepatic disorders in chronic alcoholics .

GELSEMIUM SEMPER. 30- Gelsemium is prescribed when nervous symptoms are predominant in alcoholics. There is excessive trembling and weakness of all limbs. The patient experiences lack of muscular coordination.

PETROLEUM 30- Petroleum is effective when the drunkards are seen with out energy, without strength of will , unable to refuse a glass of wine. Vomiting after the least excess in drinks. The patient talking too much when drunk.

LACHESIS 30-Lachesis patients are ill- natured , inclined to violent crimes , vindictive, jealous, envious, incline to kill others and not himself. Talkativeness before and during drunkenness.

RANUNCULUS BULBOSUS 30-Ranunculus bulbosus is effective for mental attacks of drunkards. It cures coma due to heavy drinking of alcohol and other bad effects of alcohol.

SECALE COR 30-Secale cor is prescribed for insomnia due to the intake of alcohol.

CARBONEUM SULPH. 30- Carboneum sulph is very useful for people broken down by abuse of alcohol. Impotency, colour blindness  etc are cured by this remedy.

COFFEA CRUDA 30-Coffea cruda is effective for headache due to alcoholism. Headache as if nails were driven in to the head. Worse in open air. It is also effective for sleeplessness, convulsions, and liveliness due to alcohol.

OPIUM 30- Opium is prescribed when the patient have delirium tremours over and over again. Expression of fright or terror on face. Breathing strenuous, visions of animals and ghosts with uneasy sleep. Face dark red