Alcoholism, previously referred to as alcohol dependence or alcohol addiction, is a severe alcohol disorder. The disease involves the habitual intake of alcohol. Alcoholism is considered a disease as opposed to bad behavior and it is very common. What distinguishes alcoholism from alcohol abuse is that alcoholism leads to withdrawal, destructive patterns, and a higher tolerance, which leads to more alcohol consumption. Alcoholism affects about 4% of women and 10% of males, and a total of 14 million Americans have alcoholism. Too much alcohol negatively affects the liver, pancreas, heart, brain, and immune system, and it can lead to an irregular heartbeat, liver failure, and an increased risk of getting cancer.
April is Alcohol Awareness Month, which intends to increase awareness and understanding of alcoholism or alcohol related issues. This month encourages people to get help if they need it, and to inspire families to seek help for any problems related to alcohol. Below, you will find some natural remedies to stop drinking alcohol.
Attend Meetings
One of the best tried and true remedies for alcoholics is to attend AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meetings. These meetings, which are designed for alcoholics or people who have an alcoholic family member, are available in most cities. Attending these meetings can educate the alcoholic or family members about the severity of addiction. They are often a place of solace and help many alcoholics find sobriety. If you work the program, then the program works.
Exercise
Exercising can also help relieve the body of stress and help take the mind off consuming alcohol. When you’re exercising, your focus is not on drinking, rather, you concentrate on the way you feel. Exercise helps to boost the body’s production of endorphins, which improve one’s mood and decrease the desire and need for alcohol. Acupuncture also helps release endorphins by using certain pressure points. It also helps relieve anxiety and it increases overall wellness.
Get Your Diet Right
Taking a biochemical approach to repair the body is a great natural remedy that can aid one’s path to sobriety. First one must detox, repair the damage, and then care for the body. Remove alcohol or mind altering substances, caffeine, sugar, and nicotine from your diet. Stick to plant-based foods (fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes) that provide the nutrients you need for recovery because a poor diet can lead to alcohol cravings. Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar is commonly found in alcoholics and needs to be treated, otherwise relapse can occur.
Get Your Vitamins & Minerals
Consuming foods or natural, herbal supplements that are high in vitamin B12, vitamin C, glutamine, and amino acids (spirulina is a great source of these) helps repair the damage caused by alcohol. Getting healthy doses of magnesium, essential fatty acids, and calcium can also help combat alcoholism.
Where There’s A Will, There’s A Way
There has to be a will to stop the consumption of alcohol. The individual needs to commit to stop drinking and use a remedy that works for him/herself, even if it is not one of the natural remedies listed above.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
