Naturopathic Approach to Drug and Alcohol Addictions

Naturopathic medicine is a healing art of assisting a person in recovery from ill health and maintaining well being through stimulation, enhancement and support of the inherent healing capacity of his or her body by using natural means. It emphasizes that the body can heal itself if it is appropriately encouraged to do so.

To facilitate complete recovery the underlying cause must be addressed. Health and disease are conditions of the whole organism, involving physical, emotional, genetic, environment and social factors. The health care practitioner must treat the whole person. Beyond an accurate diagnosis and right prescription, the practitioner must be a catalyst for healthful change and motivate the patient to assume responsibility for his or her own health.

The key postulates of naturopathic medicine are these: do no harm, build health rather than fight disease, practice prevention and change when necessary.

Naturopathic approach to drug, alcohol, or other addictions is similar. We typically start from mental state and cravings. Anxiety, depression, mood swings are addressed with natural nerve toxics and adrenal restoratives and tonic. In the same time, if there is a need for it, the liver is being cleansed and regenerated. Specific herbs are also introduced to promote reduction of cravings of certain substances or foods. A combination of the above approaches creates perception of well being and happiness while the energy, pains, if any, and other seemingly unrelated symptoms diminish or cease. During these actions, consumption of additive substances of foods is being maintained.

After three to four weeks of this approach, foods or substances are being slowly diminished. During this time perception of well being is increasing while the need or craving for substances in question diminishes. Typically within three months, with full compliance, addictions are negligible or not there, while a person is being maintained with appropriated extracts of liquid herbs and amino acids. Building body health can subsequently last one to three months depending on support of family and friends, compliance to the regime, as well as compliance to lifestyle and dietary improvements. During that period of time, a person is being motivated towards looking for a job, setting up a business, and developing friendships and social activities.

I have been in the medical science field for over twenty years. Drugs can do virtually nothing for it. Naturopathically, one is able to bring it seventy-five to ninety-nine percent under control. Subject to the patient’s compliance, it is possible to achieve a total recovery in six months or less. It is worth mentioning that with this approach patients see the first positive results within seven to ten days. Yet millions and millions of dollars are spent on useless and harmful palliative drug treatment that cost taxpayers a lot, do not bring a resolution to the problem and actually make people sicker.