Alcoholism

 

Profile

Perhaps no more destructive condition afflicts our society today than alcoholism . In a ‘free’ society where people are able to make their own choices, many have, and the damaging and tragic consequences of their alcoholism  and drinking benders spread far beyond just the individual affected: physical violence on family members and friends, drink-driving deaths, crime, physical sickness, losing your job.

 

In America alone, it is estimated that 10% of adults have a drink problem, with loss of productivity costs amounting to $15 billion, health costs $8.3 billion, accidents and other losses, $5.0 billion…. It’s estimated that alcoholism  costs the United States $136 billion a year. Some free choice.

 

Symptoms

Visible signs of excessive alcohol consumption. Depression . Unexplained days off work, loss of friends, accident-prone. Violent fits. Drinking alcohol before breakfast. Tremors , delirium , hallucinations  and blackouts. Poor physical condition. Alcoholic odour on breath or oozing out of pores. Flushed face. Unexplained bruises or contusions on body.

 

Commentary

The causes of alcoholism , as with drug abuse, are multi-factorial and so the remedies must ‘turn off the tap’ for each of these causes or the patient will re-offend. Initially, people take mind-altering substances to improve mood. It is the visible shifting of mood experience that provides the pleasure, relief or oblivion from life’s circumstances that initiates the addiction pattern in the subject. It’s hind-brain programming. The regimes that work best for an alcoholic or drug addict depend on changing the patient’s environment and giving them a completely new set of positive priorities on which to focus. This breaks the patterning of addiction over a period of time. Notice that any re-offending merely re-establishes the subconscious pattern (see ABC’s of Disease - Addictions).

 

Physical problems

Obviously, alcoholism is a very physical problem too. In many ways, the disorder represents the quintessential hook-up of the mind relentlessly driving the body. Alcoholics have a disturbed metabolism, chaotic blood sugar  patterns, low zinc action and vitamin deficiencies, primarily A, B’s, C and E. Hypoglycaemia  and cravings for sugar are common, as are the yeast /fungal  infestations invariably driving them. Liver fatty damage too occurs quite early on in the patient’s drinking. Alcoholics are characterised by aberrant neurotransmitter production – hormones that affect and stabilise mood. Low levels of tryptophan , an amino acid required for the production of serotonin , are also in evidence. Alcoholics will also have immune system problems manifesting themselves as food intolerances (see Allergies).

 

Take action©

One of the very first tasks is for the alcoholic to admit they have a problem and resolve to take action and take it consistently. Commonly, the alcoholic remains in demial about the seriousness of their condition. The following measures will not work unless consistency is the watchword and the patient really wants to overcome their disability. Family and friends are extremely important in this regard in providing a positive, nurturing environment during withdrawal and recovery rather than one of condemnation:

 

·         VITAL: Find a doctor (MD) or naturopath (ND) familiar with nutrition and detoxification procedures

·         VITAL: Sign up to regular counselling sessions. Before atheistic/agnostic Alcoholics Anonymous campaigners began dismantling the famous 12-step program because of its biblical connections, this was a fine system for re-concentrating the mind of the alcoholic on positive, dynamic personal intervention

·         VITAL: Watch the documentary Food Matters, available from the Credence website

·         VITAL: If you are an alcoholic reading this, put feelings of failure and shame behind you and resolve to get the problem sorted. Don’t TELL others what you are going to do, SHOW them your success and faith in yourself by your actions, one day at a time

·         DIET: COMMENCE THE ANTI-CANDIDA DIETARY REGIMEN. You have a fungal /yeast / bacteria problem that will need to be dealt with over a protracted period. Run this dietary regimen for three months, then transfer onto the more liberal FOOD FOR THOUGHT LIFESTYLE REGIMEN thereafter. Eat a diet that is 70% raw, organic plant dietary throughout. Juice veggies. Become nutrient-dense, you know it makes sense!

·         RESTORING NUTRIENT BALANCE: COMMENCE A BASIC SUPPLEMENT PROGRAM, ensuring:

·         ANTI-CANDIDA/FUNGAL SUPPLEMENTATION

·         ‘Ingenious’ (Neways Int’l), as directed

·         Vitamin A emulsion, as directed

·         Vitamin B3 (niacin) 3,000 mg plus a day, spread throughout the day

·         Vitamin C (ascorbates plus bioflavonoids), 2-3 g, twice per day

·         Establish a regular, consistent exercise regimen at a local gym. Use a personal trainer to prevent you shirking all that hard work. One who’ll ring you up if you don’t show up too!

·         There is light at the end of the tunnel, you might not feel like it at the moment but it’s a fact. Thousands recover each week from this pernicious disease. In fact, alcoholism is a lifestyle problem. Change your lifestyle and get others to help you. Why not be healthy? If you don’t have any friends, ring me up!