For a long time have been taken as irrefutable truths myths associated with alcohol consumption. Many people have believed and still believe, that alcohol is a stimulant, but it is not. Alcohol, by contrast, is a depressant. While initially people may notice an improvement in their mood, the reality is that their use inevitably leads to depression.

The other big myth is that “alcohol enhances sexual activity.” Here something similar happens in the previous misconception. Although you may feel a greater sexual arousal, the truth is that the indiscriminate consumption of alcoholic drinks ends up causing problems with impotence and even lack of orgasms.

Treatments available for those addicted to alcohol

Certainly, the vast majority of alcohol addicts do not recognize to be, nor do they seek professional help. However, those who receive medical care fail to control the disease greatly. The key is intervention (medical and family support), detoxification (withdrawal monitored and supervised by specialists) and rehabilitation (education about alcohol and its effects to prevent relapse).

In the interest of avoiding such a decline, sometimes prescribed medications such as Acamprosate, which decreases relapse rates, the Antabuse, which produces unpleasant side effects if the person returns to drinking and naltrexone, which reduces the uncontrollable desire for alcohol.

It is complementary to other therapies used. Pharmacological Possibilities include:

1 .- Anti-craving drugs.
They are used therapeutically in the prophylaxis of relapse of alcoholic patients. There are mainly two types of drugs:

1-a) Acamprosate
Drugs whose main mechanism of action is inhibition of the excitability of neurons, by antagonism of the activity of excitatory amino acids, especially glutamate, and also by a reduction in flow by blocking calcium channels for transporting them. This is achieved by removing the consumer craving induced by alcohol withdrawal.

It’s a fairly safe drug and well tolerated, its most common side effects of gastrointestinal or dermatological, but transitory duration. Without risk of abuse and lack of anxiolytic, hypnotic, or muscle relaxants. The treatment period is approximately one year.

1-b) Naltrexone
This substance is a selective antagonist of opioid receptors has prolonged action. It is now known that endogenous opioids are related to the processes of extinction of pulses by the appearance of rewarding events, but people in high-risk alcohol or addictive, all control processes are altered, leading to continued intake. Producing a cut in opioid system activity by this substance, we will appear control mechanisms. Blocking these receptors would prevent the presence of euphoric or rewarding effects of alcohol.

Several studies found that naltrexone administration accompanied by psychotherapy, it is valid in reducing alcohol consumption, as well as allowing the reduction of other medication taken by the patient, as anxiolytic or antihypertensive drugs.

To conclude this substance gives important therapeutic benefits with low risks (such as side effects mainly nausea, headaches, dizziness, etc.), All accompanied by psychological or psychosocial. Used with a minimum treatment period of 3 months.

1-c) Serotonergic drugs.
Their results in the treatment of alcoholism without concomitant psychiatric disorders are modest, no large studies that substantiate. They are used in the treatment of concomitant disorders such as depressive symptoms.

2 .- Interdictor drugs or aversive.
These are substances whose purpose is:
* Prevent and especially discourage consumption.
* Cover the early periods of abstinence.
* Strengthen the decision to stop drinking.

We must assume that these drugs do not suppress the desire for alcohol intake, but are a “help”, and if we find the above, you may have to continue taking over the process of addiction.

Basically highlights two substances which are: Disulfiram and Calcium Cyanamide. They typically produce an allergic table that is produced by aceltaldehido poisoning when ingested alcohol. The patient has generalized vasodilatation with flushing, headache, tachycardia, hypotension, vomiting, shortness of breath, dizziness and blurred vision are symptoms that manifest with disulfiram than with calcium cyanamide. Clinical data from several studies emphasize that these drugs or aversive interdictor are useful in motivated patients, particularly if used other strategies to facilitate adherence.

1 .- Behavioral treatments.
This type of alcohol therapy believe that alcohol consumption is based on learned behavior, with a number of causes which prompted its inception and a series of consequences that perpetuate consumption. This behavior must be changed by acting on the individual who is the main goal of therapy and should be supported at all times to avoid situations or places of consumption and with the complicity of relatives or friends who support you in your task.

Unfortunately though it is assumed that fast recovery is achieved, the danger of relapse is high, so that the patient is trained in various techniques such as relaxation, social situations and managing training programs assertive behavior, not to relapse again on ingestion.

2 .- Psychotherapy group
Many times the support of others motivates us and increases our power to ensure achieving specific objectives, this is based on this type of psychotherapy. So we are increasing our relationships, we motivate and note any defects that we have.

The topics covered in the group and are considered of therapeutic importance are:
* All information on aspects of the disease.
* Get develop feelings of hope.
* Observe that happens to more people, thus reducing feelings of guilt or anguish.
* Strengthening the self-image.
* Learning new social skills and experience of cohesion.

3 .- Family or marital psychotherapy
Assume the patient is a reflection of the family environment, and that family problems acts cone inducing alcoholic problem. These will act on the individual and their family by reorganizing its system of actions.

Symptoms of withdrawal are the opposite of the pharmacological effects of alcohol consumption. As noted above, alcohol inhibits the activity of central nervous system and therefore produces sedation. During the withdrawal the central nervous system is experiencing the opposite effect: they increase the active processes while the processes are diminished depressants. These changes lead to an overactivation of central nervous system in pain from the patient, such as withdrawal symptoms.

This overactivation, which has been observed in clinical trials in patients with moderate withdrawal symptoms, is experienced sympathetic nervous system hyperactivity and an increase, which can be toxic to nerve cells, production of hormones such as cortisol and norepinephrine . It has been seen, even in people who abuse alcohol only occasionally, the hangover of the “morning after” is actually a mild form of the withdrawal symptoms while the amount of alcohol in the blood decreases.

In some patients have a lower chemical dependency, alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be so “soft” and experience tremors, sweating, nausea, headaches, anxiety or increased heart rate and blood pressure. Although these symptoms are uncomfortable, are not necessarily dangerous. But are often accompanied by a strong desire or craving to consume more alcohol, so the decision to continue abstinence or to stop drinking is much more difficult.

When treating alcoholism must ask a series of goals to achieve, and the end of all therapy program seeks to motivate the patient to continue his treatment and once made, remain abstinent, if possible, throughout life.

Must be made to the patient that if you take too much alcohol, decrease this amount will improve their lives and health, and how to improve it?, For improving disturbance of the nervous system or gastrointestinal tract, caused by alcohol intake , sleeping better in both time and quality and ultimately improve your relationship with family, friends or in the
workplace.

To achieve complete recovery of the alcoholic patient will have to raise a number of objectives in the short, medium and long term and to undertake and complete up gradually, so we’ll use all available therapeutic options, both pharmacological and level psychological or psychosocial.

Have to perform two main steps:
* Stop drinking at the moment, which leads to a withdrawal syndrome in patients with alcohol dependence, which must be correctly treated. This phase is known as detoxification.
* Stop drinking for the rest of our lives, applying medication therapy or psychological support. Phase is known as detoxification.

The whole therapeutic process is based on three points:
* Drug Therapy
* Psychotherapy
* Self-Help Groups

The withdrawal syndrome is the set of physical or bodily reactions that occur when a person addicted to a substance (alcohol or beverages with ethanol, snuff or other drugs) stops using.

This syndrome may also occur in some psychological disorders and emotional dependence, which is not dependent on a substance or drug, but of affection or excessive dependence on another person, the individual presenting somatization (ie, the process by which are transformed or become emotional or psychological problems in physical pain) [citation needed]

Although symptoms vary in form and intensity according to the product used and the time it takes to develop dependence, in all cases are due to have altered the normal functioning of the nervous system.

Inpatient treatment versus outpatient treatment.

People with symptoms of mild to moderate lifting are usually treated as outpatients and are assigned to support groups, guidance, or both. Inpatient treatment, which could take place in a general or psychiatric hospital or in a center dedicated to alcohol and substance abuse, is recommended for patients with delirium tremens. The usual system there is made by physical examination and psychiatric, detoxification, treatment with psychotherapy or behavioral therapy and an introduction to Alcoholics Anonymous. Due to the high cost of inpatient care, people are now questioning its advantages over outpatient care. One study compared to alcoholics who were hospitalized or employees who were treated as outpatients with compulsory attendance at AA meetings or who were allowed to choose their own choice, including no treatment at all. After two years, all experienced fewer problems at work, but among those in the hospital group had significantly fewer rehospitalizations and remained abstinent over time people in the other two groups. Another study looking at treatment programs for substance and alcohol found that 75% of hospitalized patients completed therapy compared with only 18% of outpatients. Other studies, however, revealed no difference in outcomes between those programs and outpatient hospitalization. Studies have attempted to discover the features that can make people more likely to get out of hospital programs or clinics. One study found that people who leave outpatient treatment are more likely to be women, young, unskilled and be people with more than one type of addiction. Another reported that leaving treatment hospital against medical advice tend to have jobs, have a college education and have had a history of leaving treatment.

Psychotherapy and behavioral therapy.

Two different forms of psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy and psychotherapy group interaction, have been beneficial to persons with alcoholism. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), founded in 1935, is an excellent example of interaction in group psychotherapy and remains the most-known for helping people with alcoholism. It offers a strong support network which uses group meetings available seven days a week at locations throughout the world. A system of friends (buddy system), a group understanding of alcoholism and forgiveness of relapses are AA’s standard methods to increase self-esteem and alleviate feelings of isolation. The approximation of the AA 12 steps to recovery include a spiritual component that can deter people who lack religious convictions. Prayer and Meditation, however, have been known to be of great value in the process of healing many diseases, even in people without particular religious beliefs. Associated programs for members, Al-Anon and Alateen, offer help to family members and friends. The cognitive-behavioral therapy use a structured approach to teaching. People with alcoholism are given instructions and are assigned tasks with the intention of improving their ability to cope with basic living situations, to control behavior and to change the way they think about drinking. For example, they may ask patients to write a history of alcohol-related experiences and describe what they consider to be risky situations. Then they were assigned activities to help them cope when exposed to the “signs”-places or experiences that trigger the desire to drink. Also be assigned tasks to patients that are designed to replace the drink. An interesting example of such a program successful was one in which patients were recruited on a softball team (softball), which gave them the opportunity to practice skills to address, develop supportive relationships and engage in healthy alternative activities. A study aimed to determine whether individuals can do better in a therapy under another. Alcoholics researchers categorized as being either Type A or Type B. Type A individuals became alcoholics at a later age, had symptoms or less severe psychiatric problems and better prospects than those of Type B. People in the group of type A responded well to psychotherapy group interaction, focusing on the emotions of the individual and the relationship with the group. They did so well with behavioral therapy. Type B people became alcoholics at an early age, had a high family risk for alcoholism, more severe symptoms and worse prospects. This group was very bad interaction with group therapy, but tended to do better with behavioral therapy. This difference in response to both treatments lasted two years later still.

It is often deceived by the frequency of drinking, by the admission of guilt, remorse, by reason of his feelings and his desire to be corrected.

He is convinced that a reprimand is sufficient to make change. This conduct is harmful: it is not to condemn the drinker or sermon, but is contrary to normal treatment, effective and appropriate.

The drinker is found his game and tries to defend itself with weapons used and other times, like denying that you have a problem with drinking, protesting against such accusations skirts.

Current use excuses and bragging about his ability to hold the drink and work.

The control is better placed than anyone to encourage the patient to consult a specialist.

You should not try to convince a closed person, which will be limited to a discussion, to be angry and upset, as an excuse to quickly end the interview.

Take a firm and unchanging, repeating to convince his reasons against the excuses of the drinker. We recommend visiting the specialist, you will make it easier to attend, will closely follow developments and try to reinstate your job

A positive response is now a study conducted by research laboratories Catholic University of Campobasso: at moderate doses and as part of a healthy lifestyle, one or two glasses of wine a day, or the equivalent in beer or other alcoholic beverages, reducing the risk of death from any cause, even in people already suffering from ischemic heart disease. The research also offers another element to consider: that drinking is not only moderate but regular. Moderate consumption, distributed along the days of the week, is positive. The same amount of alcohol, drunk perhaps in a single weekend, is harmful to the contrary.

The research, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), was performed using the statistical method of meta-analysis, which allows one to combine different studies, carried out all over the world, placing them into one overall vision. In this case we have analyzed the best scientific research carried out in recent years: eight in all, in four countries: United States, Sweden, Japan and Great Britain. Will consider all people already suffering a cardiovascular event. Over the years following the onset of the disease, patients were followed by researchers to understand what the habits were, including alcohol consumption, which can help prevent a new clinical event. The meta-analysis allowed joining the search as if it were a single study, for a total of 16,351 persons examined.

“What we have seen – says Simona Costanzo, epidemiology and first author of the study – is that regular and moderate consumption of alcohol has a beneficial effect in patients suffering from heart attack, stroke or other ischemic cardiovascular disease. Not only are less likely to be newly infected with such diseases, but also the mortality rate for any other reason, is lower than those who do not consume any alcoholic beverage. “

The observed effect is very similar to what was already seen in healthy people.”The reduction of risk – more Costanzo – is about 20%, saving an event every 5 patients, a considerable advantage, similar to one already registered by us in healthy individuals,” The key word is ‘moderation’, “We are talking about — says Licia Iacoviello, medical internist, head of the laboratory of genetics and environmental epidemiology and head of the Moli-sani Project – an alcohol consumption is far from what we see sometimes in television dramas. The term moderation, in fact, we refer to drinking as an act included in a healthy lifestyle. And so once again, shows the winning Mediterranean diet, where a glass of wine or beer less frequently during meals has always been an integral part. “

GINSENG (Panax ginseng).

The root of ginseng is very good to protect the liver from alcohol damage is that some drugs.
Being also a tonic and immunostimulant is ideal for an alcoholic.

Ginseng root fluid extract: 18-20 drops per day in half a glass of water after meals.

THE MILK THISTLE (Silybum marianum).

The thistle is the plant epatoprotettrice for excellence.
It ‘been studied at length and has always given confirmation of all the properties that already in the centuries, have traditionally been assigned.

The miracle substance that contains the Milk Thistle is silymarin.
The pure silymarin is very effective but only if the treatment is done for many months.
-500 Mg / day of silymarin
Another useful substance is the oil of Primula (Eveningprimrose).

Being rich in GLA (gamma-linolenic acid). In fact, the body of an alcoholic is no longer able to produce the substance that is important to reduce mood swings and even liver damage.

Bach remedies FOR ALCOHOLISM

Agrimony: when the individual shows falsely happy.
Larch to counter the fear of failure.
Crab Apple: to decrease the sense of shame.
White Chestnut: When are these obsessive thoughts.
Aspen: counteracts the anxiety, fear and paranoia.

Must also point out the excellent results of hypnosis for the treatment of alcoholism.

PLANTS TO REDUCE DEPENDENCE Alcohol

The St. John’s Wort as an antidepressant, is helpful to reduce symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol.
Even the root extract of Salvia Miltiorrhiza, a sage of Chinese origin, is yielding good results.
Dependence on alcohol if untreated can lead to, among other things, also a high risk of liver cirrhosis.
Not to mention the risk of cancer of the digestive system and generally weakening of the whole organism.

Traditional medicine and alcohol

Traditional medicine intervenes in two ways towards the alcoholism problem:
-specific drugs (disulfiran, Acamprosate, naltrexone, gamma-hydroxy-butyric acid, tiapride, amilsupride, flupentixolo, buspirone, fluoxetine, nefazodone, ritanserina, ondansetron).

FEEDING DIRECTIONS ALCOHOLISM

Symptoms of the acute phase can be alleviated ‘are taking:
-yeast
Beef-liver
-salmon
wheat-germ
-pork
Sunflower seed
-vegetables (both fresh and dried)
-grains

When you are detoxifying the body by alcohol:
-meat chicken. peanuts, tuna, veal, turkey.

Take many vit. K and therefore include in your diet: broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, spinach, beets, potatoes, carrots, almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, avocado, pine nuts.

FOODS TO AVOID

AVOID: foods that contain refined flour, too much sugar, caffeine, bran.

FOOD SUPPLEMENTS USEFUL TO COMBAT THE PROBLEMS OF ALCOHOLISM

-Live yoghurt
-Magnesium: 320 mg per day
-Vit. B1 or Thiamin: 1.5 mg at once.
-Vit. C 1 gr. day
-Bioflavonoids: 80 mg to be distributed throughout the day far from meals and caffeine
-Zinc: 22 mg at once almattino before breakfast
Folic-acid, 150 mcg per day
Branched-Amino Acids

But the ingredient that no one has to put each patient can be given if there is: the strength of will needed to make a success of the enterprise.

See you soon.

Maria Grazia.

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