daniel chigunwe
Miriam Nyasha Kwari
Herbalist
Hello friends, and welcome to making your food your medicine. Today l am touching on a very sensitive subject that is affecting many families in Zimbabwe in one way or another — Alcoholism. It is a problem that my family is going through too, with one member who is struggling with alcohol abuse. It is an uphill struggle, I tell you, though the family remains supportive. For a lucky few, in my view, you may have that problem, yet your affected family member is still able to get some form of control, or they may be getting medical help. These are the ones who may benefit most from this article.
However, the ones who, like me have relatives who are drowning, we pray to God that in the few times that the patients come to their senses, the families will try and apply the suggestions I will make below. It is difficult because as the Medical Doctors say, the patients themselves have to want to heal. But from my experience the patients never seem to get to that point at all. Maybe, it is a case of understanding where and when and how it is happening and we just help as much as we can as family, or at least, that is what l think.
Alcoholism is one disease that is difficult to handle. If families are not careful, one person can destroy all the ties that are in the family union and the one patient may eventually lose their life through alcohol related diseases. Therefore, despite the difficulty and the strain, we cannot give up as families. We ought to try and try again.
What is alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder?
Alcoholism has been known by a variety of terms, including alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. Today, it’s referred to as alcohol use disorder.
It occurs when you drink so much that your body eventually becomes dependent on or addicted to alcohol. When this happens, alcohol becomes the most important thing in your life.
People with alcohol use disorder will continue to drink even when drinking causes negative consequences, like losing a job or destroying relationships with people they love. They may know that their alcohol use negatively affects their lives, but it’s often not enough to make them stop drinking.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of alcohol use disorder are based on the behaviours and physical outcomes that occur as a result of alcohol addiction.
People with alcohol use disorder may engage in the following behaviours:
◆ drinking alone
◆ drinking more to feel the effects of alcohol (having a high tolerance)
◆ becoming violent or angry when asked about their drinking habits
◆ not eating or eating poorly
◆ neglecting personal hygiene
◆ missing work or school because of drinking
◆ being unable to control alcohol intake
◆ making excuses to drink
◆ continuing to drink even when legal, social, or economic problems develop
◆ giving up important social, occupational, or recreational activities because of alcohol use
People with alcohol use disorder may also experience the following physical symptoms:
◆ alcohol cravings
◆ withdrawal symptoms when not drinking, including shaking, nausea, and vomiting
◆ tremors (involuntary shaking) the morning after drinking
◆ lapses in memory (blacking out) after a night of drinking
Recovering from alcohol use disorder is difficult. Your outlook will depend on your ability to stop drinking. Many people, here in Zimbabwe who seek treatment are able to overcome the addiction. You will be surprised that we have Medical places locally, where people are getting help. I was surprised because they have a strong support system which is helpful for making a complete recovery.
Symptoms of alcohol related disease
ARLD does not usually cause any symptoms until the liver has been severely damaged. Symptoms can include the following:
◆ Feeling sick
◆ Weight loss
◆ Loss of appetite
◆ Yellowing of the eyes(jaundice)
◆ Swelling of the ankles and the stomach
◆ Confusion or drowsiness
◆ Vomiting blood and passing blood in your stools
◆ The alcohol abuse may lead to diseases of the liver which include:
◆ Alcoholic fatty liver disease
◆ Alcoholic hepatitis
◆ Cirrhosis
◆ Life threatening complications of ARLD include:
◆ Internal (variceal) bleeding
◆ Build up of toxins in the brain
◆ Fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites) with associated kidney failure
◆ Liver cancer
◆ Increased vulnerability to infection
However, alcohol use disorder is a complex and chronic disease. Furthermore, while we have local help facilities and institutions locally, the medical community is still learning about it. Many people try home remedies to stop drinking alcohol cravings, the best chance at recovery is often in a treatment program.
Patients who go through alcohol withdrawals at home often go back to drinking because the cravings become too intense. Depending on the individual and their addiction, there are natural ways to stop alcohol cravings.
Healthy Support Systems are a Natural Ways to Stop Alcohol Cravings
While only the patient can control when to stop drinking alcohol, a healthy support system makes the journey more manageable. A support system is a group of family, friends, and community organizations that one can rely on when the alcohol cravings become overpowering.
Not everyone the patient knows has the best interest of the patient at heart. So, those in the support system should meet a few essential qualifications, including:
◆ Caring about the patient’s future
◆ Willing to hold him/her accountable
◆ Being reliable and available
◆ Being clean of drugs and alcohol
◆ It is rare and difficult to have people who are willing to do this through and through and we are grateful to family members who stick it out. We are grateful for facilities in Zimbabwe where people can get help. Maybe more information has to be disseminated for more people to know where to get help from, medically too.
Using herbs in home remedies to stop drinking alcohol cravings
There are several herbs useful in -home remedies to stop drinking alcohol carvings, which may help lead to actual dropping of the drinking habit successfully, for a lucky few. While the benefits of herbs in breaking the alcohol habit vary from person to person, they can be highly beneficial and natural ways to stop alcohol cravings.
Besides fighting alcohol cravings and breaking the alcohol habit, herbs can help the body repair itself. The following herbs are just a few natural ways to stop alcohol cravings.
Kudzu
Kudzu is well known for controlling alcohol cravings and withdrawals. It has come to be known to me now in an effort to help my own relative, and it is a working progress. The plant can be eaten or used in an herbal tea to get its effects. The amount you have to consume to be effective varies from person to person.
Milk Thistle
Another herb used in breaking the alcohol habit, milk thistle, has strong detoxification abilities. It also treats many physical discomforts from withdrawal and alcohol cravings. The active ingredient in milk thistle is silymarin. It heals the liver, which speeds up the natural detox of alcohol.
St John’s Wort
St John’s Wort is known for its antidepressant qualities. And because many people who drink struggle with depression, this herb can improve mood and stop alcohol cravings.
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, and aid in breaking the alcohol habit.
Drinking water
When you are breaking the alcohol habit, your body gets dehydrated, and you get nauseous. Drinking water not only hydrates you but also lessens the shakes and alcohol cravings by flushing toxins out of your body. You can also add electrolyte-rich sports drinks.
Eating a Healthy Diet Eases Alcohol Cravings
Great natural ways to stop alcohol cravings is eating a healthy diet. A healthy diet will include lean proteins such as chicken, eggs, and fish. It also contains lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, potatoes, beans, and whole grains. Eating every three hours helps avoid hunger which can lead to alcohol cravings. And, once the shakes set in, the alcohol cravings become more intense. Try and add the following in the diet plan.
a) Celery Graviola juice
Half a glass diluted with water first thing in the morning and at night before bed
b) Bitter gourd juice and lemon
Half a glass diluted with water first thing in the morning and at night before bed
c) Carom seeds liquid tonic
3 to 4 tablespoons in apple juice or water twice to three times daily
As mentioned before, these herbal remedies work for people who are still in control of their faculties and who are making an effort to stop drinking on their own. Otherwise, like me, we have to find ways and means as families to help our dear ones. The experience is daunting and tiring, but we have to still try. Try and make a way to have them realise their problem. Do not forget to consult Doctors because alcoholism is a disease. They will guide you and your patient as much as possible.
Look after yourself and each other.
God Bless
Online Reporter