Although alcohol is one of the most common causes of many fatal diseases such as cirrhosis of the liver, it continues to be a favorite of many people. With severe alcohol dependence, specialized treatment is indispensable, however, the formation of dependence can be prevented with the help of simple folk remedies. Introducing you the most effective remedies for alcoholism both natural and synthetic origin.
The most effective folk remedies for alcoholism
Folk remedies are one of the most effective and affordable options for treating binge drinking. Their main disadvantage is that they are effective at the initial stage of the disease (and alcohol abuse is considered precisely as a chronic mental illness, a kind of substance abuse). However, even with progressive alcoholism folk remedies are a useful addition to the main drug treatment.
5. Grapes
One of the most popular and effective home remedies for alcohol addiction. Whenever there is a desire to "roll on small", you need to drink a glass of grape juice or eat a few grapes.
- Since grapes contain the purest form of alcohol-containing agent, they serve as an alternative to alcohol for alcoholics.
- Grapes are rich in potassium, which helps to maintain the alkaline balance of the blood and also stimulates the kidneys.
- In addition, grapes have amazing cleansing power, allowing you to remove toxins from the liver.
4. Chinese bitter gourd, aka momordica haranta
The juice obtained from the leaves of bitter gourd is a good Ayurvedic medicine for alcohol addiction. In addition, this juice has the ability to repair damaged liver cells, lower blood glucose levels and improve metabolism.
- Bitter gourd juice can be drunk in small portions (large ones will not work, since the plant got its name for a reason) during the day and take for a long time.
- Instead of juice, you can eat the fruits of the plant, but not more than 2 per day, otherwise diarrhea and abdominal pain may occur.
- For a more palatable bitter gourd juice, you can mix it with another juice or nonfat cream (buttermilk).
3. Sour apples and apple juice
One of the most effective folk remedies for alcoholism, and even the most affordable at any time of the year. Apples not only remove the toxins accumulated in the body due to alcohol consumption, but also reduce the desire to consume strong alcoholic drinks. It is enough to eat three apples a day. Why sour? Because they contain more nutrients (in particular iron) than sweet fruits.
Avoiding alcohol completely for the first two weeks will be a challenge for most people with alcoholism or on the verge of alcoholism. The best approach is to slowly reduce the amount of alcohol you drink. And apple juice will ease the intense thirst that torments people "in the eyeballs". It should be drunk at least twice a day.
2. Acupuncture
Acupuncture, a form of ancient Chinese medicine, targets specific points in the body to relieve pain, stress and alcohol cravings, and stimulate recovery. The main disadvantage of this method is the difficulty in finding a good acupuncture specialist.
Acupuncture should not be used for:
- tuberculosis;
- oncological diseases;
- schizophrenia;
- infectious diseases accompanied by an increase in body temperature.
1. Celery
An excellent home remedy for drunkenness, because celery juice makes the alcoholic sober. The recipe for making a celery drink is simple:
- you need to mix 1/2 cup of celery juice with the same amount of water;
- drink once a day for a month.
Also, eating celery is a good way to get rid of a hangover in the morning.
The best medicines for hard drinking
There is no magic pill or one drug that fits all people who want to stop drinking. But there are several well-established medications that, when used in conjunction with psychological and social interventions, can help a significant number of alcohol dependent patients. Here top 5 best remedies for bingethat the pharmaceutical industry has to offer.
5. Antabuse, Esperal (disulfiram)
Antabuse was approved for the treatment of alcoholism over 50 years ago, making it the oldest drug on the anti-alcohol market. This is the best remedy for alcoholism in the opinion of both alcoholics themselves and their family members.
It works by interfering with the body's ability to metabolize alcohol - specifically by inhibiting the formation of an enzyme that allows the body to absorb an ethyl alcohol metabolite called acetaldehyde.
In the absence of an enzyme involved in the metabolism of acetaldehyde, this substance accumulates in the body after drinking. This results in extremely unpleasant side effects, which can include:
- hyperemia;
- nausea;
- heart palpitations.
The disadvantage of Antabus is that many alcoholics stop taking it, believing that it is the medicine that is to blame for the fact that they feel bad after the feast.
A remedy is most effective when its use is supervised, say, in an alcohol treatment clinic or at home, by a member of the alcoholic's family.
4. Vivitrol (naltrexone)
This drug helps reduce both the pleasure alcoholics get from drinking and the addiction that makes them look for a new drink. These effects are achieved by blocking opioid receptors in the brain. These same receptors are also responsible for the enjoyment of drugs such as morphine and heroin.
- The drug can be taken either in tablet form or in injectable form.
- In clinical trials, it has been proven that oral administration of naltrexone reduces the number of relapses of alcoholism. A relapse is defined as four or more drinks per day for women and five or more for men.
- Compared to patients who took a placebo (dummy), alcoholics who took naltrexone had 36% fewer binge episodes during the three months of the study.
The main side effects of the remedy are nausea and (or vomiting), abdominal pain, drowsiness, and nasal congestion.
3. Campral (calcium acamprosate)
When taken orally three times a day, Campral acts on neurotransmitters in the brain.This remedy helps reduce the withdrawal symptoms that alcoholics may experience when trying to overcome their addiction.
These symptoms may include:
- insomnia;
- anxiety;
- anxiety;
- unpleasant changes in mood.
Kampral is increasing the number of people who have been able to abstain from binge for weeks or months in a European clinical trial and the pooled data from several studies.
2. Topamax (Topiramate)
If an alcoholic has epileptic seizures, in addition to Kampral, the doctor may prescribe a drug called Topamax. It has a similar mechanism of action to Kampral and may similarly help patients avoid or reduce symptoms associated with prolonged abstinence from binge. In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in October 2007, researchers from the United States and Germany reported that Topamax was better than placebo in reducing alcohol withdrawal symptoms over a 14-week period.
When taking the drug, the following side effects may occur:
- loss of concentration;
- itching and burning sensation of the skin;
- lack of appetite.
1. Selincro (nalmefene)
Another opioid antagonist, it blocks delta, kappa and mu receptors. One randomized trial in 100 patients showed nalmefene as effective as naltrexone. That is, the drug significantly reduces the likelihood of relapse of alcoholism.
All of these drugs work best when combined with psychosocial treatments. Just giving a pill to an alcoholic is ineffective. He must be willing to heal himself from his habit.
Remember, any medication should only be taken as directed by your doctor. All medicines have contraindications, be sure to consult with a specialist and do not self-medicate.
Only time heals.