Brain Repair
Many emotional and mental symptoms are relieved simply by normalizing brain chemistry.
As the brain and body are being repaired one can look forward to experiencing many of the following results:
- Absence of craving and tremors
- Elimination of anxiety
- Relief from depression and suicidal thoughts
- Elimination of racing thoughts
- Improved memory and concentration
- Improved sleep
- Recovery from fatigue and exhaustion
- Increased energy and motivation
- Stabilized emotions
- Elimination of aggression, irritability and sudden anger
- Absence of panic attacks
- Reduction or elimination of obsessive-compulsive behaviors
- Reduction of physical pain
- Reduced cholesterol levels
- Normalized blood sugars
- Normalized blood pressure
- Relief from food and chemical sensitivities
- Relief from Candida Related Complex
Suka Chapel-Horst, PhD, RN, conducted a survey of 62 alcohol dependent people in a hospital-based medical detoxification program. In this 2009 study 95% of the people surveyed did not have adequate nutrition for maintaining balanced brain chemistry. In another research study of 100 alcohol dependent individuals approximately 88% were hypoglycemic, 73% had allergies, 55% had environmental sensitivities and 55% of women and 35% of men had histories indicating probable candida overgrowth.*
Talk therapy cannot heal these physical problems.
Researcher and author Emanuel Cheraskin, M.D. states, “Too much therapeutic emphasis has been placed on psychological factors, while more basic biochemical deficiencies and defects in body chemistry have received relatively little attention.”**
Biochemical restoration can bring the brain and body back to normal.
Permanent recovery, without dry drunk symptoms, cravings or relapses, is rarely possible unless the physical brain and body are restored to a healthy condition.
* Joan Matthews-Larson, Ph.D. , Seven Weeks To Sobriety, 41-42
** E. Charaskin and W. Ringsdorf, New Hope for Incurable Diseases (New York: Arco, 1971), 61-62
Biochemical restoration can bring the brain and body back to normal.
Permanent recovery, without dry drunk symptoms, cravings or relapses, is rarely possible unless the physical brain and body are restored to a healthy condition.
* Joan Matthews-Larson, Ph.D. , Seven Weeks To Sobriety, 41-42
** E. Charaskin and W. Ringsdorf, New Hope for Incurable Diseases (New York: Arco, 1971), 61-62
7 KINDS OF ALCOHOLIC DEPRESSION
A truly comprehensive program can address all these forms of depression through biochemical restoration and a holistic body/mind/spirit approach.
- Neurotransmitter depletion stemming from the unavailability of amino acids in the diet.
- Unavailability of prostaglandin E1 and inability to metabolize Omega 6 fatty acids.
- Vitamin/mineral deficiency - In addition to poor nutrition, alcohol flushes many nutrients from the body and reduces the body’s ability to metabolize foods properly.
- Hypothyroidism - An underactive thyroid affecting metabolism with multiple symptoms.
- Hypoglycemia – Sugar and insulin imbalance causes cravings and dry drunk symptoms.
- Food and chemical allergies – Wheat and dairy are the most common food allergies.
- Candida-Related Complex – A yeast overgrowth in the intestine causing multiple symptoms including intense craving for alcohol and refined sugars.
A truly comprehensive program can address all these forms of depression through biochemical restoration and a holistic body/mind/spirit approach.
HYPOGLYCEMIA – THE MOST COMMON PROBLEM OF ALCOHOLISM
Multiple studies indicate that 88% to 95% of alcohol dependent people are hypoglycemic. Dr. Kenneth Williams, M.D., is an internist at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and a member of the national board of trustees of Alcoholics Anonymous. Williams has found that a vast majority of his sober alcohol dependent patients are hypoglycemic.*
After years of research, John Tintera, M.D. concluded that even recovered alcoholics who have been sober for many years continue to suffer the effects of hypoglycemia. He strongly believes that the treatment of alcoholism “centers essentially about control [of hypoglycemia]”.**
Tintera and other researchers who have documented the close connection between alcoholism and hypoglycemia consider psychoanalytic treatment “utterly unsuccessful [in rehabilitating alcoholics] since the deep-rooted emotional factor is, in reality, physiologically based.”
As an RN in a hospital based medical detoxification unit, Dr. Suka Chapel-Horst observed patients consuming enormous amounts of sugar based colas, ice cream, French fried potatoes, chips, white breads and candy. The patients frequently ordered double portions of desserts. And, yes, they had all the symptoms of hypoglycemia including depression, mood swings, headaches, cravings, anxiety, fear and irritableness.
WHAT IS HYPOGLYCEMIA?
The body immediately converts foods high in refined sugar, white flour, or starch to blood sugar or glucose. When too much sugar builds up in the bloodstream, thepancreas pumps out extra insulin to counteract the overload. Too much sugar is then removed from the bloodstream. As a result, blood sugar falls too far below normal levels. When it does, the person may develop headaches and become irritable, anxious, fearful, tired, dizzy, confused, uncoordinated, forgetful and be unable to concentrate. The person may feel and act antisocial and can become suicidal.
Eventually, the physical stress produced by low blood sugar prompts an outpouring of the adrenal hormone epinephrine, which signals the liver to release emergency sugar, called glycogen, to prevent further insulin shock. Eating meals that are high in refined sugars produces tremendous cravings for coffee and sweets. At this point a person may feel shaky, weak, and sweaty, as well as have a rapid heartbeat. These symptoms trigger cravings for alcohol, and often tobacco, to relieve the uncomfortable symptoms.
Many sober alcoholics have what is known as the dry drunk syndrome. They are not drinking but many of their symptoms and behaviors haven’t changed. “One day at a time”, cravings and white knuckling their sobriety is not bringing peace and harmony into their life and relationships. They continue to be hypoglycemic. In fact the symptoms of hypoglycemia are similar to “dry drunk” symptoms. Do any of these symptoms seem familiar?
SYMPTOMS OF HYPOGLYCEMIA
Until hypoglycemia is addressed and overcome, relapses are normal and expected.
* Williams and Kalita, Orthomolecular Medicine
** J. Tintera, “Stabilizing Homeostasis in the Recovering Alcoholic through Endocrine Therapy: Evaluation of the Hypoglycemic Factor, “ Journal of American Geriatrics 14. no.2 (1966): 71,90,92
Multiple studies indicate that 88% to 95% of alcohol dependent people are hypoglycemic. Dr. Kenneth Williams, M.D., is an internist at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and a member of the national board of trustees of Alcoholics Anonymous. Williams has found that a vast majority of his sober alcohol dependent patients are hypoglycemic.*
After years of research, John Tintera, M.D. concluded that even recovered alcoholics who have been sober for many years continue to suffer the effects of hypoglycemia. He strongly believes that the treatment of alcoholism “centers essentially about control [of hypoglycemia]”.**
Tintera and other researchers who have documented the close connection between alcoholism and hypoglycemia consider psychoanalytic treatment “utterly unsuccessful [in rehabilitating alcoholics] since the deep-rooted emotional factor is, in reality, physiologically based.”
As an RN in a hospital based medical detoxification unit, Dr. Suka Chapel-Horst observed patients consuming enormous amounts of sugar based colas, ice cream, French fried potatoes, chips, white breads and candy. The patients frequently ordered double portions of desserts. And, yes, they had all the symptoms of hypoglycemia including depression, mood swings, headaches, cravings, anxiety, fear and irritableness.
WHAT IS HYPOGLYCEMIA?
The body immediately converts foods high in refined sugar, white flour, or starch to blood sugar or glucose. When too much sugar builds up in the bloodstream, thepancreas pumps out extra insulin to counteract the overload. Too much sugar is then removed from the bloodstream. As a result, blood sugar falls too far below normal levels. When it does, the person may develop headaches and become irritable, anxious, fearful, tired, dizzy, confused, uncoordinated, forgetful and be unable to concentrate. The person may feel and act antisocial and can become suicidal.
Eventually, the physical stress produced by low blood sugar prompts an outpouring of the adrenal hormone epinephrine, which signals the liver to release emergency sugar, called glycogen, to prevent further insulin shock. Eating meals that are high in refined sugars produces tremendous cravings for coffee and sweets. At this point a person may feel shaky, weak, and sweaty, as well as have a rapid heartbeat. These symptoms trigger cravings for alcohol, and often tobacco, to relieve the uncomfortable symptoms.
Many sober alcoholics have what is known as the dry drunk syndrome. They are not drinking but many of their symptoms and behaviors haven’t changed. “One day at a time”, cravings and white knuckling their sobriety is not bringing peace and harmony into their life and relationships. They continue to be hypoglycemic. In fact the symptoms of hypoglycemia are similar to “dry drunk” symptoms. Do any of these symptoms seem familiar?
SYMPTOMS OF HYPOGLYCEMIA
- Nervousness
- Irritability
- Exhaustion
- Rapid Pulse
- Depression
- Drowsiness
- Insomnia
- Mental Confusion
- Constant Worrying
- Internal Trembling
- Forgetfulness
- Headaches
- Unprovoked Anxieties
Until hypoglycemia is addressed and overcome, relapses are normal and expected.
* Williams and Kalita, Orthomolecular Medicine
** J. Tintera, “Stabilizing Homeostasis in the Recovering Alcoholic through Endocrine Therapy: Evaluation of the Hypoglycemic Factor, “ Journal of American Geriatrics 14. no.2 (1966): 71,90,92
AMINO ACID DEPLETION LEADS TO DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, AND MEMORY LOSS
The brain transmits messages and creates emotions by means of neurotransmitters, chemicals that carry electromagnetic energy from nerve cell to nerve cell. The creation of these chemicals depends upon having an adequate supply of amino acids being extracted from our diet. If our diet is deficient in proteins, which are made of amino acids, our moods, emotions, and memory suffer.
No amount of talk therapy will bring brain chemicals into balance.
Thus, depression, anxiety and hyperactivity, to name just a few symptoms, will be so severe that craving for drugs becomes too hard to resist. Amino acid replacement is safe because what is not needed is excreted from the body.
Examples of a deficiency in amino acids are:
The brain transmits messages and creates emotions by means of neurotransmitters, chemicals that carry electromagnetic energy from nerve cell to nerve cell. The creation of these chemicals depends upon having an adequate supply of amino acids being extracted from our diet. If our diet is deficient in proteins, which are made of amino acids, our moods, emotions, and memory suffer.
No amount of talk therapy will bring brain chemicals into balance.
Thus, depression, anxiety and hyperactivity, to name just a few symptoms, will be so severe that craving for drugs becomes too hard to resist. Amino acid replacement is safe because what is not needed is excreted from the body.
Examples of a deficiency in amino acids are:
- Anxiety
- High stress, tension
- Depression
- Short-term memory loss
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Tremors, shakes
- Irritability, sudden anger, violent outbursts,
- Poor concentration, high distractibility
VITAMIN B DEFICIENCY ACCOMPANIES ALCOHOLISM
Alcohol depletes the body of Vitamin B’s by flushing them from the system. Stability of the brain and nervous system is greatly undermined when there is a deficiency of Vitamin B’s.
When Vitamin B’s are restored to the brain and body, symptoms are alleviated.
Some of the symptoms of deficiencies are:
Alcohol depletes the body of Vitamin B’s by flushing them from the system. Stability of the brain and nervous system is greatly undermined when there is a deficiency of Vitamin B’s.
When Vitamin B’s are restored to the brain and body, symptoms are alleviated.
Some of the symptoms of deficiencies are:
- B1 Deficiency – memory loss, central-nervous system damage, numbness and tingling in the arms and legs, mental confusion, nervousness, headache and poor concentration.
- B3 Deficiency – depression, fatigue, apprehension, headache, hyperactivity and insomnia.
- B6 Deficiency – anxiety, nervousness, depression, convulsions, extreme nervous exhaustion.
- Folic Acid Deficiency – agitation, moodiness, headaches, depression, fatigue, decreased sex drive.
- B12 Deficiency – lack of concentration, decreased memory, depression.
- Choline Deficiency – poor memory, gastric ulcers, high blood pressure, kidney and liver impairment, cardiac symptoms.
- Inositol Deficiency – arteriosclerosis, hair loss, high cholesterol, skin eruptions, irritability, mood swings, panic attacks, and obsesive compulsive behavior.
- Pantothenic Acid Deficiency – depression, irritability, tension, dizziness, moody and quarrelsome.
NUTRITION AND FOOD SUPPLEMENTS CAN LEAD TO SUCCESSFUL SOBRIETY FOR LIFE
Recovery from drug dependence, without relapse, can be made possible through healthy nutritional habits and the addition of food supplements.
Initially, the body of a drug dependent person is severely depleted of necessary vitamins, minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids, enzymes and trace elements. Because the undernourished body has difficulty metabolizing food, high levels of supplements are required in order for the body to absorb enough to revitalize itself. All supplements are simply just food. No drugs or medicines are used for restoring normalcy to the brain and body.*
Dr. Carl Pfeiffer, founder of the Princeton BioCenter and pioneer amino acid researcher states, “We have found that if a drug can be found to do the job of medical healing, a nutrient can be found to do the same job.”**
Additional nutritional formulas may be suggested to participants based upon the results of laboratory testing and medical history. Supplemental formulas are individualized according to specific needs. Participants continue taking the restoration supplements for several months following the completion of a program. It is recommended that the nutritional guidelines be continued for up to two years allowing the brain and body to recover from the damage done by years of drinking. However, in time, a relaxation can occur in the nutritional plan as the brain and body become healthy again. Some supplements are encouraged as a daily habit for life.
* Some medications may be continued at the request of the participant’s physician. No benzodiazepines, opiates, antipsychotics or antidepressants are permitted while participating in certain programs.
** C. Pfeiffer, Mental and Elemental Nutrients (New Canaan, Conn.: Keats, 1975)
Recovery from drug dependence, without relapse, can be made possible through healthy nutritional habits and the addition of food supplements.
Initially, the body of a drug dependent person is severely depleted of necessary vitamins, minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids, enzymes and trace elements. Because the undernourished body has difficulty metabolizing food, high levels of supplements are required in order for the body to absorb enough to revitalize itself. All supplements are simply just food. No drugs or medicines are used for restoring normalcy to the brain and body.*
Dr. Carl Pfeiffer, founder of the Princeton BioCenter and pioneer amino acid researcher states, “We have found that if a drug can be found to do the job of medical healing, a nutrient can be found to do the same job.”**
Additional nutritional formulas may be suggested to participants based upon the results of laboratory testing and medical history. Supplemental formulas are individualized according to specific needs. Participants continue taking the restoration supplements for several months following the completion of a program. It is recommended that the nutritional guidelines be continued for up to two years allowing the brain and body to recover from the damage done by years of drinking. However, in time, a relaxation can occur in the nutritional plan as the brain and body become healthy again. Some supplements are encouraged as a daily habit for life.
* Some medications may be continued at the request of the participant’s physician. No benzodiazepines, opiates, antipsychotics or antidepressants are permitted while participating in certain programs.
** C. Pfeiffer, Mental and Elemental Nutrients (New Canaan, Conn.: Keats, 1975)
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