Addiction - Alcohol

Alcohol use disorder, also called alcoholism, alcohol dependence, alcohol dependence, alcoholism, alcohol addiction.
A chronic disease characterized by uncontrolled drinking and preoccupation with alcohol.

FOODS TO EAT MORE OF

• Fruits: Apples, bananas, cantaloupe, clementines, grapefruit, lemons, limes, oranges, pineapple, tangerines
• Vegetables: arugula, beets, broccoli, cabbage, ​celery, carrots, cucumber, collard greens, kale, romaine lettuce, spinach, watercress
• Garlic, ginger, oats, tofu
• Seafood, lean pork, poultry and enriched cereals and breads.
• Beans, pasta, and other starchy foods.

FOODS TO AVOID OR MINIMIZE

• Processed foods, white starches and sugars

ESSENTIAL OILS

• For Withdrawals: Basil, birch, dill, eucalyptus, fennel, grapefruit, helichrysum, lavender, marjoram, nutmeg, orange, Roman chamomile, rosemary, sandalwood (on temples or diffuse).  Note: applying dill to the wrists can help reduce the sweating that can accompany withdrawals

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HERBAL

• Mint tea​
• Skullcap: Add a leaf and/or flower to smoothies (or 1 teaspoon of the crushed powder), or drink the tea. 
• Passionflower, Milk Thistle and/or chamomile can help with withdrawal symptoms. Can crush into a fine powder and add 1/4 teaspoon to smoothies/drinks or drink the tea.
• For Cravings: chasteberry
• Dandelion (especially the root)
• Kudzu vine (sometimes called "nature's Antabuse"): Popular Chinese remedy to reduce alcohol cravings.  They make a tea from the vine for alcoholics to drink the morning after a binge. 

NATURAL

• Acupuncture, massage
• For anxiety/restlessness: Massage feet with a mixture of equal parts almond oil and garlic juice. 

YOGA / MEDITATION THERAPY

• Anti-Addiction Yoga Routine (20 minutes, Marina Grubic)
• Yoga for Addictions (18 minutes, Chaz Rough)
• Meditation and affirmations for addiction (9 minutes, underworldclassroom)
• Addiction Guided Meditation (30 minutes,  Jason Stephenson)
• Beneficial Individual Poses: 
  • Seated Side Bend
  • Cat/Cow
  • Downward Facing Dog
  • Ragdoll
  • Savasana (5 Min - Yoga Flow with Leah)

SUPPLEMENTS

• Amino Acids: Mixed amino acid complex plus L-glutamine (500 mg twice daily), NAC (500  mg twice daily), and GABA (750 mg twice daily). Take on empty stomach
• Chromium: 200 mcg twice daily (take with food or full glass water)
• Coenzyme Q10: 100-300 mg daily
• Evening Primrose Oil: 1,000 mg 3 times daily (can substitute 1,000 mg of borage oil once daily)
• Ginseng: 75-150 mg panax ginseng and 150-300 mg Siberian ginseng daily
• Kava kava for symptoms: 250 mg 3 times daily (should contain at least 30% kavalactones)
• Kudzu: 150mg 3 times daily
• Milk Thistle: 320 mg daily (in between meals)
• St. John's wort: 300 mg 3 times daily (for stress/depression)
• Vitamin B Complex: 1 pill plus 100mg thiamin each morning with food (look for B-50 complex with 50 mcg vitamin B12 and biotin, 400 mcg folic acid, and 50 mg all other B vitamins)
• Vitamin C for free radical healing and to ease cravings/symptoms: 2,000-3,000 mg 3 times daily (will likely loosen stools at this dosage - use buffered powder form for reduced stomach irritation)

HOMEOPATHIC

• Carbo Vegetabilis 6c: 3-4 times daily until symptoms decrease
• Coffea Cruda 6c: 3-4 times daily for up to 10 days
• Nux Vomica 6c: 3 times daily until symptoms decrease

MIND-BODY CONNECTION

• Can represent avoidance of yourself or your feelings, not facing fears and/or not knowing how to love yourself.  
• Alcoholism can represent issues with personal boundaries (either emotional, psychological or physical). This could be either a violation of your personal boundaries by others; or areas where you violate others' personal boundaries.
• Alcoholism can also represent guilt, hopelessness, self-rejection/inadequacy.  

FOOD MEDICINE 
Not all recipes are nutritionally perfect, but the options below are a great way to start incorporating beneficial foods into your diet in delicious ways. Always try to buy organic, and feel free to make substitutions to accommodate gluten-free, vegan, etc diets.

Abbreviation Definitions:
LC = Low Calorie (under 400 for breakfast, 600 for lunch/dinner, and 200 for beverages/snacks/sides)
GF = Gluten Free
KT = Keto / Low Carb
VG = Vegan
VT = Vegetarian
SC = Slow Carb

BEVERAGES

Apple-Orange Smoothie (GF VG VT)

Basic Fruit Smoothie (LC GF VG VT)

Green Smoothie (LC GF VT)

Mega-Greens Smoothie (GF VT)

Pineapple Kale Smoothie (GF VG VT)

Strawberry Banana Smoothie (GF VT)

Banana-Blueberry Smoothie (GF VT)

Blueberry Pineapple Smoothie (GF VT)

Kiwi-Pineapple Smoothie (GF VT)

Orange Smoothie (GF VT)

Pineapple Mint Smoothie (LC GF VG VT)

Tropical Smoothie (LC GF VG VT)

BananaSauce Smoothie (GF VG VT)

Detox Smoothie (LC GF VG VT)

Mango Pineapple Smoothie (LC GF VG VT)

PB & Jelly Sandwich Smoothie (GF VG VT)

Soothing Elixir (LC GF VG VT)

Yogi Tea (LC GF VG VT)

MAINS

Adult Ramen (LC GF VG VT)

Balsamic-Glazed Chicken (LC GF KT)

Beef Bone Broth (LC GF)

Broiled Lobster Tails (LC GF KT)

Chicken Dumpling Soup (LC)

Chickpea Spinach Soup (LC GF VT)

Garlic Chicken (LC KT)

Ham & Collards Soup (LC GF)

Lima Bean Soup (LC GF)

Miso Soup (LC GF VG VT)

Pork Saltimbocca (GF KT)

Shells with Healthy Sauce (LC)

Shrimp Penne

Swedish Meatballs (GF)

Vegan Jambalaya (LC GF VG VT)

Asian Broccoli & Rice Bowl (LC GF VG VT)

Bean, Potato and Sausage Soup (LC GF)

Black Bean Bowl (LC GF)

Buddha Bowl (GF VG VT)

Chicken with Creamy Chive Sauce (LC GF KT)

Cilantro Lime Shrimp (LC GF KT)

Garlic Soup (LC GF VG VT)

Instant Pot Chickpea Curry (LC GF VG VT)

MahiMahi with Cucumber-Dill Sauce (LC GF)

Pasta Fagioli (LC VG VT)

Quinoa Oatmeal (LC GF VG VT)

Shrimp & Rice Bowl (LC GF KT)

Spinach & Bean Pasta (LC VG VT)

Thai Pork Tacos (LC)

Vegetable Broth (LC GF VG VT)

Baked Salmon with Dill Sauce (LC GF KT)

Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry (LC GF)

Black Bean Soup (LC GF VG VT)

Chicken Bone Broth (LC GF)

Chickpea Salad Sandwich (GF VG VT)

Edamame Rice Bowl (LC GF VG VT)

Gnocchi with Lentil Sauce (LC)

Instapot Crab Legs (LC GF KT)

Meat-Lover's Chili (GF KT)

Pesto Chicken (LC GF KT)

Rosemary Chicken/Turkey (LC GF KT)

Shrimp Curry Rice (LC GF)

Steamed Snow Crab Legs (LC GF KT)

Tilapia with Balsamic Brown Butter (LC KT)

White Bean & Spinach Soup (LC GF)

SIDES

Asian Cabbage Salad (LC GF VG VT)

Broccoli Slaw (LC GF KT)

Caraway Brussels Sprouts (LC GF VG VT KT)

Creamy Kale (LC GF KT VG VT)

Glazed Carrots (LC GF VG VT)

Mexican Chopped Salad (LC GF VG VT)

Pesto Vegetables (LC GF VG VT KT)

Quinoa Salad (LC GF VG VT)

Roasted Brussels Sprouts (LC GF VG VT)

Sauteed Spinach (LC GF KT VG VT)

​Three Bean Salad (LC GF VG VT)

Beans & Greens Salad (LC GF VG VT)

Brussels Sprouts with Cashew Sauce (GF)

Chinese Peanut Salad (LC GF VG VT)

Dill Vinaigrette Greens (LC GF VG VT KT)

Irish Potatoes (Colcannon) (LC GF VT)

Mexican Coleslaw (GF VG VT)

Pilau Rice (LC GF VG VT)

Red Beans & Rice (LC GF VG VT)

Roasted Carrots (LC GF VG VT)

Sesame Broccoli (LC GF KT VG VT SC)

Warm Red Cabbage Salad (LC GF VG VT)

Black-Eyed Peas & Rice (GF)

Cannellini & Arugula Salad (LC GF VG VT)

Collard Greens (LC GF)

Fried Cabbage (LC GF VG VT KT)

Kale Salad with Sesame Dressing (LC GF VG VT)

Miso Slaw (LC GF VG VT)

Nutty Brussel Sprouts (GF KT)

Roasted Broccoli (LC GF VG VT)

Sauteed Kale (GF KT)

Steamed Edamame (LC GF VG VT)