Exploring Natural Remedies for Addiction Treatment

Mind Power

Posted by Carrie (Dallas, North Carolina) on 09/17/2010

I'm a 25 year old who , like many in this growing pandemic, began taking prescription painkillers to get more energy and ward off sore muscles caused by over working myself, so that i'd be able to perform better at work & home, help more of my extended family, and such other reasons. This inevitably turned into an addiction, and before I knew it I was stuck! To come off the meds, u have to basically put yourself through symptoms that equal to 3x's a really bad flu! The mind starts kicking in when u start to feel unpleasant and every little feeling u have, u amplify thinking its getting worse even if its not. I finally went to a methadone clinic in my area, which I thought would help, and in some ways it did! I was finally following my prescription by Dr.'s orders, which wasn't a rush like i'd gotten somehow from taking what I wasnt supposed to! The methadone , though helpful to get over opiates, was just another dependency, and it was similar to the problem I had.

Others in my shoes couldn't go 24 hours if they had to without methadone, I could even though I couldnt go 24 hrs without painpills , because I knew the facts ( its designed to last in the system for 24-36 hours)where I didnt know as much about the pain killers, only whether or not i'd taken something. Anyway, when I was detoxing, which in my case was a 10 day gradual decrease from 70mgs, I knew in my mind i'd taken something, and I stayed busy taking care of house work and such, so I didnt sit around expecting to feel like crap or give myself free time to think about symptoms ( looking back, I'm sure they wouldnt have gone unnoticed whether or not I was thinking about them! )

When my mom started to call and check on me at day 7, she asked how I was feeling and I stopped to really think about it. At that point I began to get the hot/cold flashes, restlessness, and alot of anxiety and irritability. Then I began to look online at blogs written by others going through methadone detox, who were picking apart every symptom or fear of the process! I was freaking out by that point! But when I went to the clinic for my last dose, I asked the counselors and nurses if I should avoid the blog, if I did indeed have the worst hell to come as I had read, and they told me that, just like I had thought, looking at someone elses symptoms didnt mean I would have them, and it was putting the ideas in my head. With the mind being such a powerful thing, of course they could make me believe I was having a harder time than I was! AND, That at the same time, I could tell myself I was going to have a good day, take a shower, exercise, relax (rather than calling it fatigued) and it would help! The nurse told me that I would have a harder time in a few days when the drug was out of my system, then she said "So?! .. And you'll get through it and that will be that! Have you ever had the flu?! ... And did u get over it?! .. Its not the end of the world, and dragging it out inside ur head wont help u at all.! Just do it and be done! ".. And she was right!

Educating myself BEFORE I ever began the detox process, gave me all the info I needed to remind myself of the facts, which helped me to know what to expect. But reading everyones opinions and symptoms only scared me and put stuff in my head, WHICH MADE THINGS ALOT WORSE!! When I went through the worst and most painful breakup in my life (so far) I made myself get up and go out with friends , even though I wanted to sit by the phone and wait for a call that wasnt coming, because I told myself he was out doing the same thing! .. Going out didnt make me forget him all together, but it kept me distracted and gave me alot more smiles than I would've had! That was actually some of the BEST months I had ever lived up until then! .. When I work and I know I cant have a cigarette for HOURS, or I have HOURS left before my shift is over, I start doing more work or cleaning or something that gets alot of my attention, and it helps! If you let your mind scare u, it will, but if you make it help u out, and give your self pep talks that u find to be true, its almost like ur being ur own best friend rather than making urself miserable!

**P. S. ** I also gain weight easily and love sweets, so if I keep reminding myself that the sweets are whats causing my weight gain and unhappiness, they stop looking so tempting!

Sexual Addiction

Posted by Kayla (Ma, Usa) on 06/25/2010

I have done research and found that with sex addictions, the sex addicts have low levels of seratonin. That's why a side effect of SSRIs is low libido as those raise seratonin levels. There are a lot of dangerous side effects with those though. 5-HTP also raises seratonin levels and lowers libido naturally. I know a couple of people this has worked well on. It doesn't completely take away their sex drive but it does lessen it considerably so that it's no longer an obsession/compulsion. Just thought I'd share what I've discovered. I hope it helps with others as well. The people I know took 200 mg before bed, it helps you sleep better too, puts you in a good mood and even helps some lose weight. You can get it at any health food store or online.

Co-Dependency

Posted by Eve K (Houston, Tx) on 10/23/2009

I would look into Bach's flower remedies.... There are books available to help you narrow down your remedies, as well as info on the web. The descriptions can be vague but you will probably find one or two that seem to hit home....they are usually available at health food stores. The biggest "health food" store chain also has a coupon going for $3 off (last time I checked--the website for this coupon is mambo sprouts)...

I have personally had alot of success with Bach's flower remedies for emotional/psychological issues so I hope this helps.

Good luck.

Co-Dependency

Posted by Sharik (Arcata, California) on 10/23/2009

To Phil from Dearing, GA:

Homeopathic medicine (a specific discipline) deals with psychological problems as well as physical. It's not an easy learn, and usually takes a person trained in the discipline to diagnose and treat specifics. If you have a health food store or herb shop in town, they may be able to point you in the right direction. If not, back to the computer....

Peace, Sharik

Co-Dependency

Posted by Phil (Dearing, Ga) on 10/21/2009

Hello to all. I have been asked by a friend if there are any natural remedies for co-dependancy. It seems as though a family member of hers, has a un-healthy realationship with a sibling. No matter what this child does and no matter how much trouble he may get into, she always bails him out.

I guess this is a form of addiction and I did check out the addiction page, but was wondering if EC would start a new page for CO-DEPENDANCY to draw attention to the subject.There is not much info when you google it as far as herbs, vitamins or minerials as treatments.

So if anyone has any suggestion, Ted or Joyce it will be greatly appreciated!

Thank You

EC: Hi Phil, for now we're going to keep this one on the addiction page!

Book Suggestions

Posted by Bella (Toronto, On) on 09/03/2009

Hello, Some time ago I read here, at Earth Clinic about a book on how to move on from an addicted relationship. The problem is that my daughter is strongly attracted/addicted to a person who actually does not want any serious relationships with her. She understands the situation but unfortunately she cannot move on and letting go of unhealthy relationships. Thank you!

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Ted (Bangkok, Thailand) on 07/22/2009

Over the past weeks I have been looking over the use of hydrogen peroxide to stop alcohol addiction and drug abuse addiction. The remedy is a straightforward one, a 3% H2O2 food grade one capful is added into an ordinary drinking water. Use this as a normal drinking water. If a person happens to be drinking wine, beer, liquor, the body will immediately reject it and tries to detoxify it, causing nausea, or vomiting when they take it. The body may also reject certain drug meds, such as birth control pills, cocaine, for example in a few cases. So if the drinking water with hydrogen peroxide is taken at one glass is taken within one hour, the effects is even more stronger and will encourage people to quit the alcohol use.

Ted

Cymbalta

Posted by Renee (Seattle, WA) on 07/04/2009

Dave - You don't say why you are taking Cymbalta or what symptoms you have, but I'm going to take a stab in the dark here and describe my situation in hopes that it helps you. I've suffered from depression on and off for over 20 years. I've taken some depression meds without success, seen several doctors without success.

What I have come to realize is that depression is a symptom caused or related to many other problems and I and my allopathic doctors have been trying to treat a symptom and not the root cause. In other words, depression is my body's way of telling me that there is something wrong and using meds or counseling to get happy will never resolve the underlying issue.

Note that I have only recently come to this conclusion and mostly because of the brave people on EarthClinic. I've found that their descriptions of their issues are similar to mine and have helped me to narrow down the cause of my depression, hypothyroidism. Which I have suspected for years.

So what does this mean? Am I saying that you have a hypothyroid issue? No. Am I saying that you should become a hypochondriac and assume that every illness is causing your depression? No.

What I am saying is take a step back from the depression issues and look at your entire body. Ask yourself, what else is going on that you might have ignored or brushed off? What do you recognize about yourself in the symptoms described by someone else? Is there something familiar for you?

For me, the symptoms of hypothyroidism stood out like a sore thumb when reading other people's experience. I found myself saying, wow, I feel like that too, but had forgotten about it, had just accepted that experience of myself or more importantly, failed to realize how connected all of the symptoms and the body's organs and functions are to each other. I will never look at an illness symptom in the same way ever again.

Now I'm going to get those levels checked out and have been trying to address some of the underlying issues of hypothyroidism (iodine deficiency, etc.)

What's funny about me going down this path and looking into thyroid issues, is that I came to EarthClinic to learn more about Apple Cider Vinegar and it's effectiveness for weight loss and acne, not depression or thyroid issues. I didn't make the mental connection that weight gain is caused/related to an underactive thyroid until I got to EarthClinic. When I read other people's symptoms related to iodine deficiency, it all clicked for me because it was like someone was describing my daily experience. Intuitively, I knew all along, but needed that confirmation. With additional research, I now know exactly what I need to do and what I need to ask for from my doctor or what I need to do on my own to resolve this.

So be patient, listen and trust yourself. Every day, your body is trying to tell you what is wrong and what it needs. You have to be open to receiving and acknowledging the messages.

Hope this helps.

Cymbalta

Posted by Dave (Friend, Ne) on 07/03/2009

I take cymbalta and I cant stand the side effects when I try to quit. PLEASE HELP!

EC: Cymbalta is a prescription medication used for depression, generalized anxiety disorder, fibromyalgia, and diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain.

Sexual Addiction

Posted by SunflowerBliss (New York City, New York) on 06/17/2009

An old friend of mine from college called me yesterday to tell me that her marriage had just fallen apart. Her husband, it turns out, is a sex addict and had been one for years. You name it he did it: online porn, real-life affairs with their (her!) friends, co-workers, massages. To help my friend, I started researching sexual addiction today and came across an article that people might find interesting from Elle magazine. It came out in January 2009: www.elle.com/Beauty/Health-Fitness/Sexy-Beast

If anyone has any remedies to treat sex addiction, please let me know. According to this article it takes 3-5 years of therapy to change the pattern. But since we are dealing with chemicals in the brain like dopamine, maybe there are supplements that can speed along the process. Sigh.

5-HTP for Alcohol Addiction

Posted by Jake (Middletown, New York) on 05/02/2009
★★★★★

Help to stop drinking: I have had difficulty with alcohol consumption for years, did not drink every day but when I did I did to excess.Then a friend sugessted 5-HTP which has greatly reduced my desire to drink and when I do I have a few and just get that feel that I dont want any more.I take 200mg 5-HTP at bedtime and 100mg in morning both on empty stomach. I now sleep great feel, calm and just drink socially now like those without drinking issues.

Oil Pulling

Posted by Ken (Philadelphia, PA) on 04/01/2009
★★★★★

Yes! it worked for me. 1 tbsp of sesame oil each morning. It absolutely clears all cravings for things you don't want to do, except spurred on by bad choice of food, hence watch your food at least for two weeks, that is if you really want to/ (just) 'want' to quit smoking/ addiction. Because oil pulling does 3/4 of the work. The only problem i encountered was the thought of cigarettes, especially when i see others smoke. In my thinking thats an iota of the real struggle people lament about in dealing with old habits.

You see this was even the first time i tried to quit and it made it feel so easy. In short, i think oil pulling corrects abnormalities in your body and makes you normal. Big two thumbs! up to Earth clinic. I don't know what the big companies are really doing, when the amazing medications lie in the very simple things of life. Thank you for your service on behalf of the world.

Oil Pulling

Posted by Leighroy (Stockport, Cheshire) on 01/05/2009
★★★★★

Having spent the whole of the festive period wallowing in my own self pity due to a severe case of the flu, which I shared with the rest of my family, I was fortunate to find your website in the search for a remedy for my affliction.

I became engrossed in reading at least 10 pages of post's relating to "oil pulling" and its benefits. Being probably as sceptical as most are when they told that a tablespoon of oil swilled in the mouth for 15 minutes could change your life. I decided that I had nothing to lose and that I might even benefit.

Wooooooooow!!! the following day, my fever had subsided leaving me with just the "snotty congested remnants" of the flu - I kept an open mind as I had consumed several cloves of garlic that night and had enough "flu remedy tablets" to put a whale to sleep. The following day however I felt optomistic about the whole affair and pre breakfast treated myself to another bout of OP.

THe reason for my post is to give a huge thumbs up for the benefits of this treament which if nothing else has boosted my enthusiasm for life. More importantly I gave up smoking after my second treatment due to the fact that the taste of the tobacco was no longer pleasant. I have managed to remain a non smoker for the last seven days which is the longest I have been without tobacco for 27 years. Prior to OP I had absolutely no inclination to quit and rather enjoyed it smoking at least 10-15 per day.

I am in no way saying that OP will make you stop smoking .......but for at least 7 days it has been the driving force behind my new found love of fresh air. Each morning I use 1 tablespoon of cold pressed olive oil as I cant seem to source sesame. I swish for 20 minutes before rinsing out with a solution of 1tps rock salt/1tps bi carb soda and 8 oz water taking care to lightly brush everywhere.

As such I would recommend OP to everyone and have done so. I would be interested to know if there are any other documented cases where OP has directly contributed to a smoker giving up. Thanks again and yes my teeth are whiter but that may just be the absence of tobacco. I have also found that I need less caffein and have hardly touched alcohol but again this may be due to the flu residue or just the fact that sub conciously I am making a real effort to stay healthy.

Whatever.... OP for life

EC: More on oil pulling here: https://www.earthclinic.com/remedies/oil_pulling.html

Licorice Root

Posted by Danielle (Florida, U.S.A.) on 03/27/2008
★★★★★

I used licorice to aid in replacing the habit of smoking. Not only did this give my hands and mouth something to do. It relieved stress. Anytime I felt the urge to smoke, I chewed on a piece of licorice. The closer to the real thing the better, steer clear of the sugar laden sort, so check the labels!!

Sun Gazing

Posted by K.L. (Dallas, TX) on 12/06/2006
★★★★★

Sun gazing cured cured caffeine addiction, insomnia, and helped depression! Suffering from insomnia and depression, I had gone to a natural physician who suggested I stopped drinking coffee and replace the coffee drinking with sunshine in the morning by looking almost directly at the sun for a minute or two every morning. He said the effect would be much the same as coffee as far as waking up the body goes.

This physician didn't lie. For the past 2 years I go out every morning upon waking, either on the balcony or if not just through my window and look up for a minute or two towards the direction of the sun. There is an almost immediate energizing of the body. I no longer have any need for caffeine. After 15 years of coffee, I don't crave it at all. I sleep with no sleeping aids (the result of no more caffeine) live a much more peaceful life without all those stimulants, and from my half hearted effort at this "sun gazing" practice, my depression is definitely manageable.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Brenda (Atlanta, GA) on 12/30/2006
★★★★★

Ice was to me what crack is to a crack head. Sometimes by the biggest bowls i could find for breakfast, lunch and dinner especially close to that time of the month. My Icemaker could not make it fast enough for me. Doctor said fibroids, anemia, pica I heard a DJ talking to a doctor about ACV so I went out and bought it for other reasons they discussed. I had recomended dose on bottle late Christmas Eve. I later noticed I was not hungry so I went to bed. On Christmas Day I had it 3x as recommended. I realized that I had been home all day long and I had no cravings for ice, not one ice cube. Unheard of. As of today 6 days and no ice cravings I am dumbfounded. A few days on ACV and a nasty habit of the last 2-3yrs gone. Would not have believe had I not experience this for myself. I have added the Blackstrap molasses and I am curious to see what will happen as my cycle approaches as I am heavy bleeder and have to change every 2 hours for at least 2 of the 4 days. I don't remember how I found this site but I am glad I did.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Toma (Chicago, IL)
★★★★★

I advised my friend to take ACV for losing weight. She said that she didn't have any good results in losing weight, but since starting drinking it, she hasn't been enjoying smoking that much : smoking causes unpleasant taste in the mouth.

L-Glutamine for Alcohol Addiction

Posted by Stephanie (Chicago, IL) on 09/18/2007
★★★★★

Most "alcoholics" don't realize their addiction is chemical and a direct result of being "hypoglycemic". The addiction to the alcohol is so strong because their blood-sugar level drops so severely and gets replenished so quickly with alcohol--because of the high sugar content. In other words, it's not your fault! This is the answer, if you are trying to cut back on your alcohol intake or go "cold turkey", just buy a bottle of "L- Glutamine" and take one every time you have a craving for alcohol. "Glutamine is an amino acid that your brain can use as an emergency substitute fuel when you haven't eaten recently or have been eating too many carbs and your blood sugar level is too low. This is a glucose stand-in that stops the impulse to run to the candy machine when it's low blood sugar time. L-Glutamine can stop your cravings and get you feeling steady and even within ten minutes." Julia Ross, from The Mood Cure-awesome book. I'm telling you, it works, now go help yourself!

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Anonymous (USA) on 09/25/2007
★★★★★

Just wanted to let you know that I started the H202, treatments tonight. I have been told that I have COPD. I have so many medicines around the house it is depressing. But this is about my ears. Since March I have been dealing with a hyper sensitivity to sound, smells etc. This manifested itself in the form of my entire body vibrating in response to noise. After days of the vibrating for 24 hrs a day for 6 days I was on the edge of sanity. I thought I was reacting to an external source, like a generator or something like that. I met with some friends and I was telling them about what was happening. One of them asked if I might have an inner ear infection. WOW, I never would have guess that. As it turns out, I do have an infection in the left ear canal. I was trying to find something on vibrating when I saw something on HP. I went to your site and read most of the responses. I was in such bad shape and I couldn't get in to see the doctor and no money for an emergency room visit, so, I decided to "go for it".

First I created a bowl of water, mixed 3%, over the counter peroxide in, then I used the cap to pour it up my nose. It burned since I didn't have distilled water at that time. Using the distilled water won't sting. Within 5 mins. the vibrations had stopped. I was able to breathe through my left nostril for the first time in months. Then I pored some in my left ear. I experienced vertigo, never had that before. But, it did tell me I was dealing with an ear infection. The vibrations stopped. It has been 24 hrs since I started the treatments. When the vibrating starts, I know it's time for another dose.

I also created the spray for my throat and added some to my water. It is amazing how much clearer my airways are. I can also see a very small improvement in my vision. I've been told that I need cataract surgery. Hopefully all of this will help that clear up some too. And! I have had a hugh reduction in my desire for a cigarette. I've smoked 15 cigs. today, whereas I normally smoke 2 packs. I just haven't wanted one. Amazing. I believe the infection is coming from a tooth, so I've also started rising my mouth with HP. At least it is giving me some relief until I can get to the doctor. I will continue use and I will keep you posted. I'm also passing your web address to family and friends. Hopefully they will check you out. Thank you so much for your site and I am so grateful for all the people who have taken the time to share the experiences.

Eft for Coca Cola Addiction

Posted by Sandy (In the sticks, Nevada) on 11/24/2007
★★★★★

EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) freed me from an addiction to Coca Cola. EFT is a simple technique that can help with pain, addictions, fears, grief, and many other problems. If you google "Gary Craig" and "EFT" you will be able to learn more about it. Gary has the information you need to learn EFT for free on his site.