Are there natural treatments for alcohol and substance abuse? While this may seem impossible it is actually true to a large extent. Alcoholism and other types of addictions do not always need hospitalization or pharmaceutical treatments. Many of these natural treatments for alcohol and substance abuse have been prevalent for years and used by different cultures. While these cannot alone cure a person of their addiction, these help to manage the symptoms of substance abuse and alcoholism.

Natural treatment for alcohol and substance abuse:

• Diet definitely falls in the list of leading natural treatments for alcohol and substance abuse. Blood glucose variability, especially hypoglycemia, is considered to be an integral part of alcoholism according to natural medicine experts. So, substance abuse and alcoholism may trigger severe nutritional derangement, causing a lot of damage to the organs in the body. If one can eat well-balanced meals, small meal-portions many times a day, focusing on intake of fresh vegetables and fruits, nuts, beans, seeds, and lean proteins, they can restore the lost nutritional balance and stabilize blood glucose levels.
• Detoxification and periodic fasting are recommended by many naturopathic authorities as one of the best ways to treat alcoholism and substance abuse. This is not for people experiencing withdrawal but may help once the withdrawal symptoms have subsided. This exercise eliminates the poison taken in by the body and flushes out toxins that have built up inside.
• Acupuncture is a needle-based therapy used in conventional Chinese medicine and has been recommended for reducing alcohol cravings, easing depression or anxiety feelings associated with alcohol addiction, and relieving withdrawal symptoms.
• Mindfulness-based programs and meditations have been found effective for alcohol addictions and substance abuse problems. These programs focus on meditations and train participants to become cognizant of their emotions, thoughts, and cravings.
• Kudzu extract has been seen to have positive effects on people suffering from a drinking problem. It regulates binge drinking and helps to cut down alcohol consumption by heavy drinkers. It raises the blood alcohol levels quickly so that one feels intoxicated sooner. It can inhibit clearing of acetaldehyde which is known to have nasty side-effects and is a byproduct of alcohol.
• Ashwagandha is a type of herbal supplement derived from Withania somnifera and used in traditional Ayurvedic medicines to reduce alcohol cravings.
• Milk thistle is a herb that has antioxidant silymarin and is known to be good for improving liver health. It can protect one’s body against liver damage induced by alcohol consumption.
• Diet supplementation with mineral and vitamin preparations, also called orthomolecular medicine or correct medicine, is supposed to be effective for curing addictions. But nutrients must be used here carefully and only in pure forms. For instance, chromium plays a key role in stabilizing blood glucose levels, alleviating cravings. L-glutamine, an amino acid, needs to be ingested thrice a day to improve mood and energy. Mood swings are common during the withdrawal period. Some of the side-effects of alcohol abuse are memory disorders and this happens because of depletion of thiamin or vitamin B. So, supplementing it with 200 grams pills a day or through injections in muscles and veins can help the condition.
• Green food supplements such as the bacterial extract called spirulina or algae chlorella conduct photosynthesis like green plants and these help in detoxification. Since anxiety is a common condition that is associated with substance abuse or alcoholism, passionflower, oat straw, and valerian are found to be helpful.