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Natural treatments and home remedies for Addiction

When some person quits alcohol or drug, then the cravings may see unbearable in the beginning. Proper hydration and nutrition are very important for restoring the health and improving the chances of long – term recovery. There are many studies in which are said that alcohol and drug craving can be lessened with the right diet and nutrients. The drug addiction or substance dependence is a chronic disease which affects the brain and behavior. This addiction usually starts as a voluntary use for experimental or recreational purposes and as the time passes, the drugs change the brain chemistry and addict consumes them compulsively. The drug addiction can mean the abuse of benzodiazepines, ecstasy, amphetamines, barbiturates, tobacco, cocaine, heroin and alcohol. There are many symptoms of addiction, such as obsession; dealing with problems; denial; secrecy and solitude; maintaining a good supply; stealing or trading sex for money and drugs; social and recreational sacrifices; addiction continues despite health problem awareness, etc. The most common risk factors for addiction are family behavior; peer pressure; being male; having a mental illness; genetics; stress; the nature of substance, etc. You need to talk with your doctor before you start using some of the below mentioned home remedies for addiction to avoid certain side effects. Here are some home remedies for addiction:

Addiction treatment

Gingko biloba cures addiction

This is a very effective home remedy for all people who want to kick their drug habit. You can take gingko biloba supplements because they will improve your willpower, memory, concentration and strength and also they can undo some of the damage caused by drug addiction. [1]

Hypnosis

There are some people who are skeptical that hypnosis will help them, but there are many studies in which are shown that hypnotherapy has positive effects on the drug addiction. This natural treatment has a positive effect on other forms of cognitive or behavioral therapy. This property of the hypnosis will depend on your susceptibility to being hypnotized, the severity of your addiction and many other factors. [2]

Yoga help in addiction

This may seem like a strange way to cure the addiction. When you are practicing yoga on daily basis, then it can help you to connect your mind and body in a way that you have never experienced before. This is a form of moving meditation which can be used to treat the active mind of an addict and it can help them connect to themselves without the use of drugs. It can strengthen your body and mind which will enable you to understand your body and the road of recovery that lies ahead. [3]

Evening primrose

This home remedy can help to reduce the cravings. You can take it as oil or in gel/tablet form.

Horticulture therapy

It has been shown that the methodical nature of planting a garden and caring for it can benefit positively on the mental state of people who are recovering from drug addiction. In this therapy there is aspect that you need to take care for something else. It has been shown that this natural treatment can decrease stress hormones, boost cognitive function, lower anxiety, reduce pain and decrease the insomnia.

Goldenseal

This home remedy has a bitter taste and antiviral properties. It can help to curb the alcohol cravings.

Pet therapy

There are many studies in which are shown that the pet therapy can make wonders for people who are recovering from drug addiction. In this therapy is included the aspect of taking care for something else which can stimulate changes in the mindset. When you are spending time with animals, then this offers healing effects, such as reduction in a pain, decreased anxiety levels and lower blood pressure. [4]

Protein and Omega – 3

We know that Omega – 3 fatty acids and proteins are essential parts of healthy diet and they are very important for people who want to get a relief from the drug addiction. It is known that drugs fry the neurotransmitters in the brain and for people who are addicted to drugs, then need to rebuild the neurotransmitters. They need a solid base of a healthy protein to get their mind in a proper shape. All cells and tissues in the body which have been damaged or destroyed by the drug addiction need to be repaired. Omega – 3 fatty acids can help to protect your body from additional stress during the recovery period. [5]

Milk thistle

This is a very important herb for improving and protecting the liver which often suffers as a result of drug addiction. We know that our liver is working to filter the blood and many of the drug substances which travel throughout the body via blood and also they are filtered into the liver. The milk thistle has hepato – protective properties and they can help to treat hepatitis and cirrhosis and also they can strengthen the liver’s ability to fight off environmental toxins. [6]

Art therapy

There are many studies in which are said that the behavioral alternations are very effective natural treatment for the drug addiction. This is a reason why the art therapy has gained a lot of popularity as natural treatment for addiction. The art therapy will help the addicts to build self – esteem and confidence. Also this natural treatment can help you to avoid negative response to most common triggers. Also it can help you to step outside of the destructive lifestyle to create and appreciate beauty. The art therapy will lower the levels of anxiety and depression which frequently trigger substance abuse. [7]

Kava Kava

This home remedy can reduce the cravings and anxiety. You can take it in a form of pill or as herbal tea.

Skullcap

This home remedy is a powerful nervine agent which is commonly recommended for people in their first few days of withdrawal symptoms from a drug. If you suffer from depression, nausea, headaches and insomnia, then it might mean that you are going through drug withdrawal and this is the period when you need this home remedy at most. This home remedy is not a cure for drug addiction but it can make the process less painful and it will ease it.

Kudzu

This is a wild vine which has daidzin and this chemical can help to reduce alcohol cravings. It is recommended taking 30 – 150 mg of kudzu root. You can take it in a form of tea. Also you can use tincture in warm water 3 – 5 times per day. [8]

Caffeine

Caffeine in some way is a drug because many people drink too much coffee and they have need of caffeine. But you should know that the caffeine has the ability to drive away the addictive habits. Caffeine can be used as a substitute for energetic substance addictions, such as cocaine, ecstasy and alcohol. Caffeine can boost the adrenaline and cognitive energy so they can be almost mistake for those drug rushes and they can allow the true addiction to wear off without severe withdrawal symptoms. You can also become addicted to caffeine so this is a reason why you should be careful how much you use it. [9]

Valerian root

This home remedy can help to reduce anxiety and restlessness. It affects the brain in the same manner as Valium and it binds to the same receptors. [10]

Passion flower

This home remedy can aid in the withdrawal period because it will help in anxiety disorders due to alcohol and drug abuse.

Apple cider vinegar cures addiction

This home remedy can help to reduce the cravings for smoking cigarettes and other drugs. This is due to the chemical make – up of the vinegar, including malic acid and acetic acid. There should be done a lot more studies in the future to understand the full impact of apple cider vinegar on addiction but for now it is known that this home remedy can stop the cravings and improve the immune system of the body in significant way.

John’s Wort

This home remedy has antidepressant properties. It has a chemical known as hyperforin which is directly responsible for reducing the intake of alcohol. This home remedy is used to overcome depression.

Meditation

There are some studies in which are analyzed the effects of meditation and it was found that it can help to reduce the physiological and psychological triggers of substance abuse. Meditation can promote the mindfulness and awareness of thoughts and feelings. With the help of the meditation, you will have the positive energy by trying to master your emotions and preventing negative experiences or stress which result from a drug use or a relapse. [3]

Dandelion

This is a cleansing herb which can help with the alcohol withdrawal symptoms. You can consume it as tea by putting one ounce of dandelion herb in boiling water. You should use it 3 times per day by steeping three to five mg of dried dandelion roots.

References:

[1] Brondino N, De Silvestri A, Re S, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of Ginkgo biloba in neuropsychiatric disorders: From ancient tradition to modern-day medicine. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013;2013:915691.

[2] Hartman BJ. The use of hypnosis in the treatment of drug addiction. Journal of the National Medical Association. 1972;64(1):35–8.

[3] Kuppili PP, Parmar A, Gupta A, Balhara YPS. Role of yoga in management of substance-use disorders: A narrative review. Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice. 2018;9(1):117–22.

[4] Wesley MC, Minatrea NB, Watson JC. Animal-assisted therapy in the treatment of substance dependence. Anthrozoos A Multidisciplinary Journal of The Interactions of People & Animals. 2009;22(2):137-48.

[5] Indiana University School of Medicine. Fish oil may have positive effects on mood, alcohol craving, new study shows. Science Daily. 2011. Retrieved from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110526091758.htm

[6] Karimi G, Vahabzadeh M, Lari P, et al. “Silymarin”, a promising pharmacological agent for treatment of diseases. Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences. 2011;14(4):308–17.

[7] Aletraris L, Paino M, Edmond MB, et al. The use of art and music therapy in substance abuse treatment programs. Journal of Addictions Nursing. 2014;25(4):190–6.

[8] Penetar DM, Toto LH, Lee DYW, Lukas SE. A single dose of kudzu extract reduces alcohol consumption in a binge drinking paradigm. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2015;153:194–200.

[9] Meredith SE, Juliano LM, Hughes JR, Griffiths RR. Caffeine use disorder: A comprehensive review and research agenda. Journal of Caffeine Research. 2013;3(3):114-30.

[10] Bent S, Padula A, Moore D, et al. Valerian for sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The American Journal of Medicine. 2006;119(12):1005–12.

Neem Mayur
Neem Mayur
Mayur Neem, a certified dietician having more than 5 years of experience in the field of diet practice. He is working as a diet expert and offering services to body builders, sports persons, celebrities, etc. He is lover of natural remedies and loves to spend most of his free time in his organic farm and offers expert advice on organic farming to local farmers. He is available through [email protected]

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