Alternative Treatments for Substance or Alcohol Abuse

Substance abuse treatments extend across a vast array of techniques. If the medical or psychological approach to controlling your substance or alcohol abuse problems just isn't cutting it, you might consider a more down home strategy. An alternative approach to treating your substance abuse can be far less expensive than checking into a rehab clinic and potentially much more effective. An added plus is the opportunity to avoid running into Lindsay Lohan or Robert Downey, Jr.

Niacin for Alcohol Abuse
If your particular substance of choice for abusive behavior is alcohol, you may want to try supplementing your dietary intake with niacin. A study published in the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine in 1987 concluded that treating alcoholics with supplements of at least 3 grams of niacin on a daily basis over a stretch of several years resulted in a majority of participants enjoying a reduction in their symptoms as well as lowering their odds for a relapse. Taking 500mg twice a day may be enough to help you deal with the abuse of alcohol.

Vitamin B1: thiamine for Alcohol Abuse
Thiamine in the form of Vitamin B1 is another useful tool for those battling an abusive relationship with liquor. Taking 200mg of thiamine on a daily basis appears to be successful in preventing certain aspects of cognitive failure. In addition to helping alcohol abusers to think more clearly and rationally, Vitamin B1 appears to help with the common problem of memory lapses as well as the potential for problems related to visual acuity after imbibing too much alcohol. Abusers who can be defined as alcoholics may benefit more from intravenous injections of thiamine by a physician.

Passionflower
Both alcohol and drug abusers may benefit from a treatment involving the herb known as passionflower. The most effective means of applying this herbal treatment is in the form of a tincture of 3ml. Also effective are 500mg capsules of passionflower. Each approach should be taken three times daily. If you find that you are not responding adequately to passionflower, consider substituting another herb like valerian or kava.

Chromium
Chromium taken in 200mcg quantities twice or thrive a day can potentially help in reducing sugar cravings. For some people, chromium may also be beneficial in limiting or reducing cravings for alcohol as well.

Acupuncture
Acupuncture seems to pop up in just about any discussion of alternative treatments and treating drug or alcohol abuse is no different. Acupuncture appears to be particularly effective in treating the symptoms of withdrawal from hard drugs like heroin and cocaine. Acupuncture treatment for this element of substance abuse appears to be most effectively located along the ear. Pins stuck into various points along the ear may help to reduce the unpleasant symptoms you experience when you attempt to quit drugs and are introduced to the concept of withdrawal. The very same points along the ears also seem capable of improving your chances for a relapse.

Sources

Alcoholism and Health Problems
Alcoholism and Thiamine
Reducing Alcohol Craving
Acupuncture and Substance Abuse Treatment