HOMEOPATHY FOR DRUG ADDICTION

HOMEOPATHY FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER OR DRUG ADDICTION

A drug is defined by WHO, as any substance that, when taken in to the living organism, may modify one or more of its functions. This definition conceptualizes ‘drug’ in a very broad way, including not only the medications but also the other pharmacologically active substances.

The words ‘drug addiction’ and ‘drug addict’ were dropped from scientific use due to their derogatory connotation. Instead ‘drug abuse’, ‘drug dependence’ , ‘harmful use’, ‘misuse’, and ‘psychoactive substance use disorders’ are the terms used in the current nomenclature. A psychoactive drug is one that is capable of altering the mental functioning.

There are four important patterns of substance use disorders, which may overlap with each other.

·      Acute intoxication

·      Withdrawal state

·      Dependence syndrome

·      Harmful use

Acute intoxication

According to the ICD-10, acute intoxication is a transient condition following the administration of alcohol or other psychoactive substance, resulting in disturbances in level of consciousness, cognition, perception, affect or behavior, or other psychophysiological functions and responses. This is usually associated with high blood levels of the drug.  

However, in certain cases where the threshold is low, due to a serious medical illness such as chronic renal failure or idiosyncratic sensitivity, even a low dose may lead to intoxication. The intensity of intoxication lessens with time, and effects eventually disappear in the absence of further use of the substance. The recovery is therefore complete, except where tissue damage or another complication has arisen.

The following codes may be used to indicate whether the acute intoxication was associated with any complications.

·      Uncomplicated (symptoms of varying severity, usually dose-dependent, particularly at high dose levels.

·      With trauma or other bodily injury

·      With other medical complications, such as hematemesis, inhalation of vomitus

·      With delirium

·      With perceptual distortions

·      With coma

·      With convulsions

·      Pathological intoxication, only for alcohol

Withdrawal state

A withdrawal state is characterized by a cluster of symptoms, often specific to the drug used, which develop on total or partial withdrawal of a drug, usually after repeated and/or high-dose use. This, too, is a short-lasting syndrome with usual duration of few hours to few days.

Typically, the patient reports that the withdrawal symptoms are relieved by further substance use.

The withdrawal state is further classified as:

·      Uncomplicated

·      With complications

·      With delirium

Dependence syndrome

According to the ICD-10, the dependence syndrome is a cluster of physiological, behavioral, and cognitive phenomena in which the use of a substance or a class of substances takes on a much higher priority for a given individual than other behaviors that once had greater value.

A central descriptive characteristic of the dependence syndrome is the desire (often strong and sometimes overpowering) to take psychoactive substances (which may or may not have been medically prescribed), alcohol, or tobacco. There may be evidence that return to substance use after a period of abstinence leads to a more rapid appearance of other features of the syndrome than occurs with non-dependent individuals.

A definite diagnosis of dependence should usually be made only if at least three of the following have been experienced or exhibited at sometime during the previous year.

·      A strong desire or sense of compulsion to take the substance.

·      Difficulties in controlling the substance-taking behavior in terms of its onset, termination or levels of use.

·      A physiological withdrawal state when the substance use has ceased or reduced, as evidenced by the characteristic withdrawal syndrome for the substance; or use of the same (or a closely related) substance with the intention of relieving or avoiding withdrawal symptoms.

·      Evidence of tolerance, such that increased doses of the psychoactive substance are required in order to achieve effects originally produced by lower doses (clear examples of this are found in the alcohol and opiate-dependent individuals who may take daily doses that are sufficient to incapacitate or kill non-tolerant users).

·      Progressive neglect of alternative pleasures or interests because of psychoactive substance use, increased amount of time necessary to obtain or take the substance or to recover from its effects.

·      Persisting with substance use despite clear evidence of overtly harmful consequences, such as harm to the liver through excessive drinking, depressive mood states consequent to periods of heavy substance use, or drug-related impairment of cognitive functioning; efforts should be made to determine that the user was actually, or could be expected to be, aware of the nature and extent of the harm.

A narrowing of personal repertoire of patterns of psychoactive substance use has also been described as a characteristic feature of the dependence syndrome (e.g., a tendency to drink in the same way on weekdays and weekends, regardless of the social constraints that determine appropriate drinking behavior)

The dependence syndrome can be further coded as (ICD-10):

·      Currently abstinent.

·      Currently abstinent, but in a protected environment (e.g., in hospital, in a therapeutic community, in prison etc.).

·      Currently on a clinically supervised maintenance or replacement regime (controlled dependence, e.g., with methadone, nicotine gum or nicotine patch).

·      Currently abstinent, but receiving treatment with aversive or blocking drugs (e.g., naltrexone or disulfiram).

·      Currently using the substance (active dependence).

·      Continuous use.

·      Episodic use (dispsomania).

The dependence can be either psychic, or physical, or both.

Harmful use

Harmful use is characterized by:

·      Continued drug use, despite the awareness of harmful medical and/or social effect of the drug being used, and/or

·      A pattern of physically hazardous use of drug (e.g., driving during intoxication).

The diagnosis requires that the actual damage should have been caused to the mental or physical health of the user. Harmful use is not diagnosed, if a dependence syndrome is present.DSM-1V-TR uses the term substance abuse instead, with minor variations in description.

The other syndromes associated with the psychoactive substance use in ICD-10 include psychotic disorder, amnesic syndrome, and residual and late-onset (delayed onset) psychotic disorder.

Psychoactive substances

The major dependence producing drugs are:

·      Alcohol

·      Opioids, e.g., opium, heroin.

·      Cannabinoids, e.g., cannabis

·      Cocaine

·      Amphetamine and other sympathomimetics

·      Hallucinogens, e.g., LSD, phencyclidine (PCP)

·      Sedatives and hypnotics, e.g., barbiturates

·      Inhalants, e.g., volatile solvents

·      Nicotine

·      Other stimulants, e.g., caffeine

Causes

Aetiological factors in Substance use disorders:

A. Biological

·      Genetic vulnerability (family history of substance use disorder, e.g., in type 11 alcoholism)

·      Co-morbid psychiatric disorder or personality disorder

·      Co-morbid medical disorders

·      Reinforcing effects of drugs (explains continuation of drug use)

·      Withdrawal effects and craving (explains continuation of drug use)

·      Biochemical factors (e.g., role of dopamine and norepinephrine in cocaine, ethanol, and opioid dependence

B. Psychological factors

·      Curiosity; need for novelty seeking

·      General rebelliousness and social non-conformity

·      Early initiation of alcohol and tobacco

·      Poor impulse control

·      Sensation-seeking (high)

·      Low self-esteem

·      Concerns regarding personal autonomy

·      Poor stress management skills

·      Childhood trauma or loss

·      Relief from fatigue and/or boredom

·      Escape from reality

·      Lack of interest in conventional goals

·      Psychological distress

C. Social factors

·      Peer pressure (often more important than parental factors)

·      Modelling (imitating behavior of important others)

·      Ease of availability of alcohol and drugs

·      Strictness of drug law enforcement

·      Intrafamilial conflicts

·      Religious reasons

·      Poor social/familial support

·      ‘Perceived distance’ within the family

·      Permissive social attitudes

·      Rapid urbanization

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homoeopathy today is a growing system and is being practiced all over the world. Its strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance at mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels. When substance use disorder is concerned there are many effective medicines are available in Homoeopathy, but the selection depends upon the individuality of the patient, considering the mental and physical symptoms.

AVENA SATIVA

Avena sativa is one of the best remedies for drug addiction. It is effective for the bad effects of morphine or heroin addiction. It is a good remedy for those addicted to cocaine, marijuana, nerviness, tranquilizers or sedatives. Insomnia due to drug s or alcohol. Sleeplessness with nervous exhaustion and weakness.

NUX VOMICA

Nux vomica is effective for the bad effects of alcohol, tobacco, opium, coffee, wine etc. The patient is nervous and highly irritable. Headache and intoxicated feeling. Dyspepsia, nausea and vomiting, constipation are other leading symptoms.

MORPHINUM

Morphinum is used for the bad effects of over use of drugs. Mentally the patient is depressed and behaves in a dream-like state. Vertigo and dizziness on least movement of head. Face is dusky red or pallid lividity of face, lips, tongue, mouth, or throat. Violent throbbing in heart and carotids. Alternation of tachycardia and bradycardia.

COFFEA

Severe insomnia due to drug addiction. Hyperactivity of mind and body. Increases the sensibility of nerves, making them over excitable and over sensitive. Special senses become over acute, emotions especially joy and pleasurable surprise, produces dangerous symptoms. Now joyous, now gloomy. Coffea removes the bad effects of sleeping pills.

CANNABIS INDICA

Exaltation of spirits. Constant fear of becoming insane. Horror of darkness. Absent minded, forgetful. Emotions and sensations are exaggerated.

BELLADONNA

Fear of darkness and vision of ghosts as a result of drug addiction. Desire to escape or hide himself. Acuteness of all senses. Changeable moods. Hallucinations, sees monsters, hideous faces. Spit on faces of other persons. Easily angered.

HYOSYAMUS NIGER

Headache from narcotic addiction. Hallucinations most marked. Talks with imaginary persons to dead ones. Imagines things are animals. Inclined to laugh at everything. Does foolish things, behaves like mad. Laughs, sings, talks, babbles and quarrels.

SULPHUR

Sulphur antidotes the bad effects of Cannabis addiction. Sulphur patient express sadness and melancholy. They imagine himself a great man. Strong impulsive tendency to suicide by drowning or leaping from a window.

LACHESIS

Headache from narcotics addiction. The patient is highly talkative. Sensation of tension in various parts. Cannot bear anything tight anywhere. Sensation of constriction in throat, abdomen and head.

PULSATILLA NIGRICANS

Diarrhea from heroin addiction. Changeable stools, no two stools alike.

PASSIFLORA INCARNATA

Sleeplessness due to drug addiction. Effective for morphine addiction. Give mother tincture doses.

OPIUM

Drowsiness and coma from drug addiction. The patient falls into a heavy deep sleep. Thinks he is not at home. Sees frightful visions of mice, scorpions. Perversion of all senses. Euphoric state, overexcitement and sleeplessness.

VIPERA

A remedy for drug addictions by injections.

  

 KNOWING HOMEOPATHY:

1. Is Homeopathy a proved science?

It definitely is. Homeopathy is a science based on sound logic and vast experimental data. It is the only medicinal science where data has been collected by proving on healthy human beings and not on animals because human beings can communicate their actual feelings during the testing while animals cannot. The principles of Homeopathy have been derived and authenticated by vast clinical experiments and data. The homeopathic pharmacopoeia lists more than 3000 remedies, whose clinical efficiency has been proved in various clinical trials conducted all over the world.

2. Are Homeopaths qualified doctors?

Yes. There are more than 180 homeopathic medical colleges in India and about 1000 colleges all over the world recognized by their respective Governments. The degree course is an extensive study encompassing the detailed and thorough study of the human body, Homeopathic pharmacy, Medicine, Gynaecology, Materia Medica, Philosophy, Total patient management etc. In India the full course lasts for four and half years followed by internship for 1 year, which includes practical training in hospitals. There are now also postgraduate courses available in India. One must mandatorily register with the relevant Medical Council to practice legally.

3. Is it true that Homeopathic medicines are only placebos (sugar pills)?

No. The pills of Homeopathic medicines are made from sugar but they work only as vehicles. Actual liquid medicine prepared from various natural medicinal substances is poured over the pills and dispensed as medications. Homeopathic medicines are also available in liquid form or tinctures, which can be administered directly or by diluting them in water whenever required.

4. Does the Homeopath give the same white pills for all illnesses/patients?

What seems so is not true. The white pills which are dispensed from a homeopath are only neutral vehicles or carriers of actual medicines that is sprinkled on them. When the actual drug is poured on these white pills they get coated with the curative power of the drug. Different drugs are usually used in various potencies as to best suit different patients. There are about 3000 medicines and 10 variable potencies (powers of medicines) of each medicine so a minimum 30,000 various permutation and combinations can be utilized.

5. Does one have to take the medicines for a long time?

The duration of treatment depends upon the nature of the disease and the fighting capacity of the patient's body. The treatment is required for a certain time period so as to improve the resistance of the body to fight diseases. Taking into consideration all these factors the treatment is continued for a specific time frame for the benefit of the patient. Once the patient starts improving we stop the medicines and the natural immunity of the body will take care of the rest of the problems.

6. Does homeopathy take long time to act?

It is a myth that homeopathic medicines act slowly. Their action is quick and the effect lasts much longer, often forever. The disease is treated from its roots.

The time taken for relief is proportionate to the chronicity of the ailment. In fact if a patient seeks homoeopathic treatment at the onset of an ailment, he stands great chances of a really quick recovery. Also in acute illnesses homoeopathic medicines act fast and effectively. For e.g. if "X" is suffering from bronchial asthma and he is suffering for the last 14 years and has been to various systems of medicine. Now if you give him homeopathy and say in 2 years time the patient is completely alright, would you say that Homeopathy is slow to act?

7. Why is a detailed history required in Homeopathy?

Detailed history is very essential as homeopathy believes in treating the individual and not the disease. So the physician needs to know everything he can about the individual. Also the chronic diseases are due to suppression of skin affections or emotions; hence thorough history will reveal whether any past suppressed ailments have lead to the present complaints.

There are many incidents that influence our life. Knowing them gives an idea about the patient as a person, his characteristics and helps the physician to prescribe the accurate remedy.

8. What will the homeopath need to know about you?

The homeopath needs to understand you, your nature, your complaints and your disturbed mental and emotional state in order to reach to the core of your case.

Any peculiar habit that you have, your past medical history, childhood details, anything and everything about you will help the physician to help you. If you give an honest and correct history to the physician, he can assess your case accurately. Anything that you confide in your physician will be strictly confidential and helpful.

9. Do homeopathic medicines have steroids?

All Homoeopathic medicines are prepared by using scientific predefined methods of extracting the medicinal properties from source substances. There is no scope or need to adulterate the derived medicines with any other substances, as this would completely obliterate the curative properties of the same. The prescription of homoeopathic medicines is based on the similarity of symptoms of the patient with those produced by the drug (in its purest form) when tested on healthy individuals. Additionally, steroids impart a bitter taste, and homeopathic medicines are sweet.

If the patient has any doubts he should check the medicines from a standard laboratory before consuming them.

10. Why do homeopaths not tell the names of the medicines they prescribe?

The name of the medicine is not disclosed for the benefit of the patient. If the patient after knowing the name of the medicines starts taking it according to his or her whims and fancies, it will distort the disease picture and in future, treatment of the patient will be much more difficult. Also certain medicines have to be changed and given as per the state of the disease and recovery.

If the patient wants, a copy of case record can be provided to the patient but at the end of the treatment, when patient has completely recovered.

11. Does Homeopathy believe in disease diagnosis and pathological investigations?

Yes. It is very essential to diagnose a disease, but for the selection of the remedy we require to know the characteristic symptoms of the patient and not the disease symptoms. For e.g. A person is having an attack of asthma with wheezing and congestion of the chest, and he gets relief only if he throws his head backwards. Wheezing and congestion of chest are symptoms of the disease, but for the selection of the remedy the important symptom is 'relief by throwing head backwards'. Hence to differentiate the disease symptoms with the individual characteristic symptoms, good knowledge of disease is important. Pathological investigations are also important to know disease diagnosis and prognosis, and judge the improvement.

12. Are there any food restrictions during the treatment?

Yes the patient is only advised to avoid eating or drinking 15 minutes before or after taking homeopathic medication. One has to avoid coffee, raw onion and raw garlic. Also avoid eating mint, camphor and menthol as these can hinder the action of the homeopathic medicine or antidote the effects of the medicine.

13. Can patients suffering from Diabetes take Homeopathic medicines?

Yes why not? As the daily dietary intake of sugar by a person would normally far exceed the minuscule quantity consumed in the form of homeopathic pills (Approximately the quantity of sugar consumed with 1 cup of tea is same as being consumed by entire week of Homeopathic medication). The patient also has an option of taking the medicines in liquid form, or by inhalation. Besides this, homeopathic pills are composed of lactose that is not harmful even for diabetes.

14. Does the patient have to stop other medicines which he/she has been taking?

No. The patient should not stop the medicines which he has been taking. It should be tapered gradually once the patient is improving but this should be done in consultation with the treating physician. In some cases where the other medicine cannot be discontinued, both the medicines have to be continued for the benefit of the patient. The treatment should be planned and properly implemented.

15. Do homeopathic medicines bring about aggravation initially?

In some cases there is an initial aggravation of the symptoms but it is a good sign that shows the medicine is right and has started acting. But this happens in a few cases and not all patients will have an aggravation; most of the patients have simple long lasting amelioration.

16. Is it safe to take Homeopathic medicines during pregnancy?

Yes. It is always better to take homeopathic medicines from a qualified homeopathic doctor. If the treatment is planned in a proper way it will have lots of benefits to the mother and the child. The child will be much healthier and the medicines will help to fight the hereditary diseases which are carried from generation to generation. In fact if homeopathy is given during pregnancy, the delivery would be normal and easier. The child will be relatively healthier and emotionally well balanced, intellectually sound and physically stronger.

17. In which disease condition homeopathic treatment is more effective?

There is no condition that Homeopathy cannot treat. Conditions from a simple cold to cancer can be treated with Homeopathy. It takes into account the individual symptoms of the patient suffering from any disease and not the diagnosis of the disease. By the virtue of this certain diseases that cannot be diagnosed clinically or even unknown diseases can also be treated. Also in incurable cases where even the modern line of treatment fails to help the patients, homeopathy will prove to be a very good palliative and will improve the last days of life and ease the death. This happens in advanced stages of cancer, we can relieve pain very easily and effectively.

18. Does Homeopathy work in acute cases?

Yes. Homeopathy has wonderful remedies that give prompt relief in acute cases like fever, cough, cold, diarrhea, headaches etc. when the person opts for homeopathy at the onset of the ailment.

19. Does Homeopathy believe in Surgery?

Yes, it does. Surgery is a separate branch of medicine. It has to be resorted to in conditions that are beyond the domain of medicine. But one can avoid surgery in certain cases as homeopathy can effectively treat many so-called surgical conditions like tonsillitis, piles, warts, kidney stones, etc.

20. Should one take homeopathic medicines only from a qualified doctor?

Yes, he should. There have been instances of apparent “miracle cures” by lay people practicing homeopathy, but it is always advisable to go to a homeopathic physician, as he is qualified to judge the severity and depth of your illness and thereby prevent undue complications later on, which could be overlooked by a hobby practitioner due to his ignorance of scientific medical knowledge. Only a qualified physician can guide you towards a complete mental, emotional, spiritual, physical and pathological recovery.

21. Are there any side effects of homeopathic medicines?

No, there are no side effects of homeopathic medicines. Sometimes you may get cold, skin rash or little discharge after taking homeopathic medicines. This means that the system is getting cleared. In the same way, your old symptoms like constipation, warts or any skin rash may reappear. Do not take any medicine to treat these reappearing old symptoms, as these old symptoms will go away in a short while and you will be healed for a long-lasting period of time.