Craving Some Help with Alcohol Detoxification

Q & A with Gwyneth Jones, HHP

Q: Our daughter came home from college for the Christmas holidays with a serious drinking problem. We, as a family, decided she should stay home until she could get her health and life in order. She has not had any alcohol since mid-December; however, she craves sweets, coffee and is smoking too much. What can be done to help her?

A: Hooray for your family making your daughter’s health your priority with the precious support you offer. Craving sweets and junk food is normal in the attempt to replace all the non-nutrient calories from the alcohol. She probably feels fatigued from depleted vitamins and minerals. Caffeine stimulates the adrenal glands giving a false sense of energy. Even one cigarette is too much. A nutritional approach will be great support to speed her physical recovery.

Q: What specifically should we serve?

A: There are several books available addressing the nutritional support your daughter needs. My favorite is “Seven Weeks to Sobriety”. It has tests she can take to determine the food and supplements she will best respond to. The program is used very effectively in a rehabilitation center in Minnesota. The explanations of what to take and why, are user friendly. There are contact numbers in the back of the book if you need assistance. Until you get started on a program, start with water or diluted fruit juices, include fresh produce, lean poultry and fish; eliminate coffee, junk food, dairy and peanut butter. She will do well to take a multi-vitamin/ mineral supplement.

Q: She gets depressed and lonely and doesn’t want to leave the house.

A: If she has not gone to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and committed to working with a sponsor, she is missing a very supportive, understanding, program that is very effective. You will find Al-Anon will be a huge resource for you too. Find a meeting for both of you, same time and same building. Go for a walk together afterwards. Exercise will become an excellent mood elevator and it will replace healthy bio-chemicals in her body.

Q: She complains about body aches. What would be the best pain relief?

A: Massage can be a lovely way to clear the body of toxins and promotes relaxation. She may try acupuncture to speed the recovery time as she detoxifies. Yoga or a meditation practice can be a helpful new activity to ease her body and mind as she embraces healthy new lifestyle. She needs to be participating in a healthy new activity during the time frame when she used to drink the most.

Q: Are there any supplements we should get started with?

A: Do a little research yourself. Check the studies on Kudzu extract.- Alcoholic hamsters were found to have decreased interest in drinking when fed kudzu extract. Generally recommend 3 to 5 grams of root three times per day; some herbal practitioners also suggest that 3 to 4 ml of tincture taken three times per day may also be helpful to reduce alcohol cravings. Also read up on Glutamine to reduce cravings.

www.ghchealth.com/nutritional.programs-for alcohol-detoxification.html -Elson Haas M.D.

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