Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a disease
influenced by genetic, psychological, and social factors any of which may
precipitate a persistent difficulty in controlling overall alcohol consumption.
More generally, alcoholism may also point to concerns such as a preoccupation
with or compulsion toward the consumption of alcohol, and/or an impaired
ability to recognize the overall negative effects of excessive alcohol
consumption.
Symptoms-
The
list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Alcoholism includes
the 42 symptoms listed below:
- Drunkenness
- Craving alcohol
- Inability to
stop drinking
- Need for morning
alcoholic drink
- Drinking too
much alcohol
- Drinking
whenever you feel stress
- Hiding your
drinking from others
- Anger when asked
about drinking
- Guilt when asked
about drinking
- Loss of work
days
- Drink driving
- Difficulty
sleeping
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
- Malnutrition
- Weight loss
- Impotence
- Insomnia
- Bad dreams
- Blackouts
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Fig: Effects of Chronic Alcoholism
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Complications-
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1.Systemic effects
- Alcohol
intoxication
- Unconsciousness
- Accidents
- Accidental death
- Accidental
drowning
- Liver disease
- Cirrhosis of the
liver
- Pancreatitis
- Peripheral
neuropathy
- Congestive heart
failure
- Impotence
- Menstrual
disorders
- Dementia
- Fetal Alcohol
Syndrome (FAS)- in children born to alcoholic
mothers.
2.Social effects:
- Social problems
- Loss of
employment
- Divorce
- Loss of friends
- Homelessness
- Blackouts - loss
of memory of events
- Loss of recent
memory
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Fig: Alcoholic Pancreatitis
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Fig: Alcoholic Varices
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Remedies-
1. Aconitum napellus [Acon]
If the person is very fearful while
going through a withdrawal period, this remedy may be indicated. Intense
palpitations may occur, which can make the person even more frightened and
anxious.
2. Arsenicum album [Ars alb]
A person who feels exhausted and extremely
chilly, yet is driven by anxiety to move restlessly from place to place, may
benefit from this remedy. A person who needs Arsenicum may also be
obsessive about small details and feel afraid to be alone.
3. Aurum metallicum [Aur met]
This remedy may be helpful during
the withdrawal process, especially for individuals who feel disgusted with
themselves, believe they have failed in life, or have become depressed and
hopeless. Serious, work-oriented people who have turned to alcohol or other
addictive substances as an outlet of tension are especially likely to respond
to Aurum.
4. Carbo vegetabilis [Carbo Veg]
When withdrawal symptoms include
fatigue and faintness, with a lot of gas and belching, this remedy can bring
relief. The person may feel weak and very cold (especially in the extremities),
yet still has a desperate craving for fresh or moving air. This remedy is often
helpful for regaining energy after long-term illnesses or health problems.
5. Chamomilla [Cham]
If a person is hypersensitive, and
finds discomfort unbearable to the point of seeming irritable and angry, this
remedy may help. The person will feel worse from heat and worse at night.
Relief from motion, especially vigorous rocking, is a strong indication for Chamomilla.
6. Coffee cruda [Coff]
This remedy is often helpful when a
person’s mind is active and excitable. Sleeplessness is a common problem.
The person is very sensitive to noise or any distraction. Neuralgic pains or
headaches can occur, and may be soothed by cold applications.
7. Nux vomica [Nux Vom]
A person who needs this remedy is
nervous, irritable, impatient, easily offended, and oversensitive to light,
noise, touch, and odors. Chilliness, cramps, and digestive upsets, with an urge
to vomit or move the bowels (with limited results) are other indications. Nux
vomica is known for its beneficial effects on conditions—acute or
chronic—related to overuse of alcohol and drugs.
8. Staphisagria [Staph]
This remedy may be helpful to a
person who has had an abusive relationship or childhood, with deeply suppressed
emotions, and has subsequently turned to alcohol. Habitually meek and
mild-natured, and very sensitive to humiliation or embarrassment, the person
may have started letting the anger out—to the point of throwing things or
flying into rages. Staphisagria may help a person stay in balance
without suppressing feelings. |
