Alcoholism is a chronic, often progressive disease in which a person continues to crave alcohol and drink despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as losing a job or getting into trouble with the law. Alcoholism affects 10 to 20 percent of men and 3 to 10 percent of women. Nearly 14 million people in the United States—1 in every 13 adults—abuse alcohol or are alcoholic. This disease contributes to over 50 percent of car and industrial fatalities, drownings, and child or domestic abuse.

Nutrition

A well-balanced, nutritionally adequate diet helps to stabilize alcohol-induced blood-sugar fluctuations and decrease cravings. Following these tips may help reduce symptoms.

-Eliminate simple sugars.
-Increase complex carbohydrates.
-Consume adequate protein.
-Increase essential fatty acids.
-Decrease saturated fats and fried foods.
-Avoid caffeine.

Beneficial Nutritional Supplements

Vitamin A (25,000 IU a day)
B Vitamins B1 (50 to 100 mg a day), B2 (50 mg a day), B3 (25 mg a day), B5 (100 mg a day), B6 (50 to 100 mg a day), B12 (100 to 1,000 mcg a day)
Vitamin C (1,000 mg two to three times a day)
Vitamin E (400 IU a day) to protect the heart
Magnesium (250 mg bid) to decrease withdrawal symptoms
Selenium (200 mcg a day) to protect the liver Zinc (15 mg a day) to aid metabolism
Amino acids: carnitine (500 mg two times a day) to protect the liver, glutamine (1 g a day) to decrease cravings, glutathione (300 mg a day) to protect liver and heart
Chromium (250 to 500 mcg twice a day) helps reduce sugar cravings and reduces low blood sugar related to alcohol cravings.

Suzanne offers these Herbal Supplements to help treat this condition

• Milk thistle (Silybum marianum): 80 to 200 mg three times a day, to support the liver
• Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale): 2 to 8 g of root three times a day in tea, or 5 ml three times a day of leaf tincture helps detoxify the liver. Works well with milk thistle.
• Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora):for tension and nervous disorders, especially anxiety; a cup of tea before bed can help insomnia.
• Kudzu Extract: 2 capsules daily help kill the craving for alcohol. Ancient, tested Chinese formula for alcoholism.

Homeopathy

An experienced homeopath can prescribe a regimen for treating alcoholism that is designed especially for you. Some of the most common acute remedies are listed below.

Arsenicum album for anxiety and compulsiveness, with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea Nux vomica for irritability and compulsiveness with constipation, nausea, and vomiting Lachesis for cravings for alcohol, headaches, and difficulty swallowing Lycopodium for low self-esteem, heartburn, impotence Acute dose is three to five pellets of 12X to 30C every one to four hours until symptoms are relieved.