Homoeopathic Management of Alcoholism

By

Dr. Pawan S. Chandak

 

Homoeopathic Approach:

Homoeopathy is having broad scope in the treatment of alcoholism. We have specific remedy to remove craving for alcohol like Quericus, Suphuric acid, Sterculia, Avena sativa. We have specific drugs for sleeplessness in alcoholics like Avena sativa, Passifolra. We have Homoeopathic Appetizers which increase appetite in alcoholics like Sterculia, Alfalfa, Quericus, China, Hydrastis etc. But when treating cases of Alcoholism detail case history including the cause behind Alcohol habbit, physical & mental history, any incident in life which compelled the patient to become alcoholics, any thoughts, depression, emotions etc should be asked. His life style, food habit, Sleep etc asked. And other complaints which patient has before alcohol habit should be asked. Symptoms of alcoholism if developed should be taken & asked in detail like Appetite disorder, Sleep problem, delirium, irritability, sadness, loquacity, liver problems, urine difficulties etc.

In modern homoeopathic approach before starting treatment Blood test like Liver Function Test, Kidney Function Test, Alcohol Test, Hb, ESR should be done. If suspected of having some liver problems USG of abdomen should be done.

In starting treatment one thing should be seriously done i.e. consent form because sometime if patient has gone into gross pathological changes, conditions like Alcoholic Cirrhosis, Kidney or Liver Failure. Any Cardiac or Diabetic History should be taken. If patient is already taking any Allopathic drugs like Psychiatry medications, Anti-hypertensive, Diabetic drugs it should not be discontinued immediately after having progress in homoeopathic treatment we can discontinue it slowly.

Psychotherapy is very important in alcoholic patient in Rehabilitation Program. Meditation & Yoga also plays a very important role. If psychological counseling is not done patient may again go into relapse.

Constitutional approach is important but first of all craving for alcohol should be controlled with specific medicines. And in treatment of Alcoholism symptomatic treatment should be given. Biochemic medicines like Kali Plays an very important role in alcoholism for Debility, Sleeplessness, mental restlessness etc.

Before & after treatment investigation are the main parameters in modern homoeopathic approach. I have many cases in which I found Quericus to remove craving for alcohol I prescribe it 10 drops 3 times a day in water or 30 drops in wine of patient.

Repertorial Approach:

Rubrics on Alcoholism from Synthesis Repertory:

MIND - AILMENTS FROM - alcoholism

MIND – ALCOHOLISM

MIND - ALCOHOLISM - drinking on the sly

MIND - ALCOHOLISM - excitement, from alcoholism

MIND - ALCOHOLISM - get up at night to drink; must

MIND - ALCOHOLISM – hereditary

MIND - ALCOHOLISM - hypochondriasis, with

MIND - ALCOHOLISM - idleness, from

MIND - ALCOHOLISM - irritability, with

MIND - ALCOHOLISM - menses; before

MIND - ALCOHOLISM - pregnancy, during or after

MIND - ALCOHOLISM - timidity; from

MIND - ALCOHOLISM - weakness of character; from

MIND - DELIRIUM TREMENS

MIND - DELIRIUM TREMENS - loquacity, with

MIND - DELIRIUM TREMENS - sleeplessness, with

MIND - DELIRIUM TREMENS - sopor with snoring

MIND - DELIRIUM TREMENS - small quantity of alcoholic stimulants, from

MIND - DELIRIUM TREMENS - trembling, with

MIND - DRUNKENNESS; symptoms during

MIND - DRUNKENNESS; symptoms during - sadness

MIND - INDIFFERENCE, apathy - dearest friends; even towards - alcoholism; in chronic

MIND - INSANITY, madness - drunkards, in

MIND – Korasakoff’s Psychosis

MIND – LIBERTINISM

MIND - UNCONSCIOUSNESS - delirium tremens, in

SLEEP - SLEEPINESS - alcoholism; with

GENERALS - DROPSY - alcoholism, from

GENERALS - FOOD and DRINKS - alcohol – desire

GENERALS - FOOD and DRINKS - alcohol - agg.

GENERALS - FOOD and DRINKS - alcohol - desire - menses; before

GENERALS - FOOD and DRINKS - beer – desire

GENERALS - FOOD and DRINKS - brandy – desire

GENERALS - FOOD and DRINKS - wine - desire

GENERALS - FOOD and DRINKS - whiskey – desire

GENERALS - FAMILY HISTORY of – Alcoholism

GENERALS - FOOD and DRINKS - alcohol - agg. - intoxicated; easily

GENERALS - TREMBLING - externally - alcoholism; from

GENERALS - TWITCHING - alcoholism, in

GENERALS - VARICOSE veins - alcoholism, from

GENERALS - WEAKNESS - alcoholism, in

Clinically Indicated Specific Remedy for Alcoholism is Quericus, Avena Sativa, Capsicum, Nux Vomica.

Avena Sativa: It is useful medicine to remove morphine habit, bad effects of Alcohol habbit. It has a specific action on brain and nervous system favorably influencing their nutritive function. It is useful for nervous exhaustion, sexual debility if given in material doses. It is best tonic for debility after exhaustive disease. It cures sleeplessness of alcoholic dependent patients if given in tincture 10-20 drops in hot water at bed time.

Quercus: It antidotes effects of alcohol. It takes away craving for alcohol in alcohol dependent cases. It should be given 10 drops doses 3 times a day for several months. A passing diarrhea appears for a time when using it. It has curative effects. Clinically it is indicated for Dropsy & Liver affection in alcoholic patients.

Capsicum: It is useful for abstainers for accustomed alcoholics. It is useful for prostration and feeble digestion of alcoholic. It is specific remedy for delirium tremens. It is suited to person, who is fat, indolent, opposed to physical exertion, averse to go outside of their daily routine, get homesick easily. It is also useful for sore throat of smokers and drinkers, Dyspepsia of alcoholic patients who craves for Alcohol as Stimulants. Capsicum should be given in dram doses of tincture in milk or orange juice in delirium tremens.

Nux Vomica: It is remedy for Alcoholic person leads sedentary life busy in prolonged office work, over study & close application to business with its cares and anxieties. This indoor life and mental strain seeks stimulants like wine possibly in excess or again he hopes to quiet his excitements by indulging in sedentary effects of tobacco. Wine & women plays their part to make him forget the close application of the day. It is useful for intoxicated feeling < morning, mental exertion from use of tobacco & alcohol. It is useful for optic nerve atrophy from habitual use of intoxicants. It is also useful for Acid dyspepsia & alcoholic, irritability of stomach & mind. Nux vomica is having intense craving for alcohol, wine. Indicated for morning diarrhea for alcoholic patients, Insomnia in which sleepless after 3 am till towards morning.

< morning, mental exertion, after eating, stimulants, narcotics

> while at rest, from a snap while allowed to finish it.

Syphilinum: It is useful medicine for hereditary tendency to alcoholism. Patient feels hopeless of recovery. There is intense craving for alcohol. It is useful for sleeplessness of alcoholic patients. It should be given in highest potencies.

Agaricus Muscarius: It is useful medicine for delirium of alcoholics. It is indicated for loquacity, Delirium of alcoholic patient characterized by singing, shouting and muttering, rhymes and prophesies. There is jerking, twitching, trembling and itching are strong indications. There is sensation as if pierced by needles of ice.

< open cold air, after eating, after coitus, in cold weather, before a thunder-storm, pressure on dorsal spine, which causes involuntary laughter.

> moving about slowly.

 

Sulphur: It is suited for alcoholic cases who are dirty, filthy, having aversion to bath, and walk stoop shoulder. It is useful for complaints of loss of appetite or excessive appetite in alcoholics. Patient feels very weak and faint about 11 am must have something to eat. It is useful for abdominal colic from drinking. There in intense craving for alcohol. Patient talks, jerks and twitches during sleep.

< At rest, when standing, warmth in bed, washing, in morning, 11 am, night, from alcoholic stimulants.

> Dry, warm weather, lying on right side.

Sulphuric acid: It is commonly used for Debility arising from alcoholic drinks. It is indicated for debility especially in digestive tract. There is intense craving for alcoholic stimulants. There is tremor and weakness that everything must be done in hurry. It is useful for Gastric affection like heartburn, sour eructation in alcoholics who craves for alcohol to cool the stomach. Sulphuric acid should be mixed with three part of alcohol i.e. 10-15 drops 3 times a day for several weeks to subdue the craving for liquor.

Sterculia: It is the remedy to remove alcohol drinking habit. It promotes the appetite and digestion and lessen the craving for alcohol. It gives power to endue prolonged physical exertion without taking food and without feeling fatigued. Boericke recommends 10 drops 3 times a day.

Coca: It is remedy for alcoholics having great longing for alcohol and tobacco. There is great satiety for a long time. It is also suited for dyspnoea in aged, athletics, alcohol users.

> From wine, quick motion, in open air.

< Ascending, high altitude.

 

Lachesis: It is remedy for Delirium tremens with much trembling and confusion in alcoholics. Patient cannot bear tight anywhere. There is Great loquacity. Patient is restless and uneasy; does not wish to attend to business; wants to be off somewhere all the time. Patient craving for alcohol, oysters.  Useful for Liver & Abdominal complaints of alcoholics – sensitive liver cannot bear anything around waist, tympanitic abdomen, sensitive & painful.

< after sleep, Lachesis sleeps into aggravation; ailments that come on during sleep. Left side, in the spring, warm bath, pressure or constriction, hot drinks, closing eyes.

> Appearance of discharges, warm applications.

 

Arsenic Album: Arsenic should be thought of in ailments from alcoholism, tobacco chewing. In Arsenic debility, exhaustion, and restlessness, with nightly aggravation, are most important. It is useful for gradual loss of weight from impaired nutrition in alcoholics. Patient is having great thirst; drinks much, but little at a time. Useful for Gastralgia of alcoholics from slightest food or drink -  burning pain in stomach, Heartburn; gulping up of acid and bitter substances which seem to excoriate the throat, Vomiting of blood, bile, green mucus, or brown-black mixed with blood. It is useful for liver and abdominal complaints of alcoholics. It is useful for ascites conditions, Gastritis, Hepatitis etc arising from prolonged use of alcohol.

< after midnight; from cold, cold drinks, or food. Seashore. Right side.

> from heat; from head elevated; warm drinks.

China: It is useful for Debility from exhausting discharges, from loss of vital fluids, In alcoholics. It increases the weight and appetite of alcoholics. It lessen the craving for alcohol.  It is also useful for spleen & liver complaints of alcoholics like Hepatitis, Jaundice, tympanitic abdomen, Gastritis etc.

 Asarium Europeum: It is a remedy for nervous affections, loss of energy, with excessive erethism in alcoholics. It lessen desire for alcoholic drinks and tobacco smoking.