YOU
CAN QUIT ALCOHOL
PART 3
Dr.
Roger T. Williams of the University of Texas, a leading biochemist, declares
that not only do alcoholics have a poor diet, —but a poor diet tends to create
alcoholics.
In
support of this, he says that drinking alcohol causes a deficiency of the B
complex vitamins. But a lack of these vitamins tends to increase the appetite
for carbohydrates (sugars and starches). Alcohol, itself, being only a
carbohydrate and a robber of B vitamins, starts a vicious cycle within the human
body of both removing vitamins and creating an artificial alcohol thirst.
Then
there is Dr. U. D. Register of Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, California.
In 1967 he conducted a series of studies in which he fed a normal, American
diet to rats.
The
diet consisted of hot dogs, spaghetti, meat balls, sweet rolls, and soft drinks.
A control set of rats was given a diet of milk and vegetables. In addition, both
sets of rats were given the choice of 10 percent alcohol (about as much as in
wine), or pure water.
The
rats that were fed the popular junk diet began turning to more and more alcohol,
until they were imbibing 12.8 ml. of it per 100 gm. of body weight per week. The
control group never went above 2.3 ml. of alcohol.
Then
Dr. Register added coffee to the popular diet—and the alcohol consumption shot
up to 46 ml. per week!
It
is of high significance, that after 10 weeks, the popular—diet rats were
switched over to the nutritious diet—and within the first week their alcohol
intake had gone down to 3.8 mI., and within three weeks, most of the rats had
quit alcohol entirely!
This
is very important information. If you want to quit alcohol, you need to
accompany your other quitting activities with an upgrading of your diet. Dr.
Register says that it was a lack of the B vitamins that made the difference in
the two sets of rats.
A
third research group was headed by Dr. Abram Hoffer of (Saskatchewan, Canada,
and Dr. Humphrey Osmond of Princeton, N.J. They contend that the mental
disorder, schizophrenia, is closely related to alcoholism, and that both can
be nutritionally treated in the same manner. Then they did it.
The
American Schizophrenia Foundation has discovered that from 20 to 40 percent of
alcoholics are partially schizophrenic. What Drs. Hoffer and Osmond did was to
give massive doses of niacin (B3), vitamin C, B6, and other vitamins. The
results of this megavitamin therapy were reported in the July, 1968 issue of the
"British Journal of Psychiatry."
The
therapy program was originally planned only for schizophrenics, but since 40% of
those who were to receive the treatment were alcoholics, the therapy was
extended to them —and to other alcoholics who did not show signs of
schizophrenia. The results were dramatically successful.
A
fourth research group, headed by Dr. Russell F. Smith, medical director of
Michigan State Boy's Training School, conducted a study in which 507 alcoholics
were given massive vitamin B3 therapy. As he later reported, An average of 6
grams, of this well known, common, cheap vitamin a day, was given to them.
Concluding his report in the October 1968 issue of the American Schizophrenia
Foundation "Newsletter," he said, "Eighty-seven percent of our
group of hard core, treatment resistant, difficult alcoholics derived
benefit."
Comparing
his vitamin therapy with methods, used elsewhere, he said, "B3 far surpassed
them in effectiveness. This comparison becomes more effective when we remember
that many drugs today used in the treatment of alcoholism have a high potential
for abuse and for suicide. When the niacin [vitamin B3] is used instead, these
serious risks become virtually nonexistent —great advantage indeed. B3 far
surpasses other therapeutic agents commonly used in the treatment of
alcoholics."
Probably
the most significant factor in this study has been the large group who undertook
it that have stayed permanently off alcohol after the testing was completed.
Part
way through his study, Dr. Smith made the discovery that vitamin C must be used
in conjunction with niacin. He was alerted to the matter when some of the
patients complained of sustained weakness, dry skin, occasional rashes or odd
dietary cravings. Realizing that the large doses of niacin were tending to
deplete vitamin C in the body, he began adding good-sized doses of the latter.
(Urine tests have revealed that no vitamin C was being excreted, indicating that
the patients on the high-niacin diet were lacking in it.) But average doses of
1000 mg. per patient daily solved the problem, and all the side effects disappeared.
Dr.
David Ramon Hawkins, director of the North Nassau Mental Health Center, provides
us with a fifth study into ways to nutritionally stop alcoholism. Seventy of
his 315 schizophrenic patients were confirmed alcoholics, many of whom had
previously been hospitalized because of their problem. Some had undergone
psychotherapy or psychoanalysis for periods ranging up to 20 years. "Some
of the patients' families had spent up to $150,000 on years of expensive
treatment which had been to no avail," he said.
All
of the patients were given massive doses of vitamins B3 (niacin) and C, plus
sizable amounts of B6 (pyridoxine). They were also put on a hypoglycemic diet
(low carbohydrates, high protein, medium fats, frequent very small meals). The
patients were encouraged to keep coffee drinking to a minimum, and exercise
frequently.
It
should be noted here that people that have both alcoholism and schizophrenia are
the ones most unlikely to be helped out of their problem. But the results of Dr.
Hawkin's approach were spectacular, to say the least.
He
said, "By treating their schizophrenia with megavitamin therapy and
simultaneously pushing them into Alcoholics Anonymous, our results were
extremely good. Since we started using this new approach we have closed our
out-patient shock unit. Hardly any of these patients needs to be hospitalized
any more. The whole attitude of the patients and their families is so
overwhelmingly different [that] there is no comparison with the previous
situation." In order to effect proper results the vitamins were given in
large doses, sometimes a thousand times larger than "minimum daily
requirements."
In
addition to B3, several other vitamins are used in the megavitamin therapy:
vitamin C, pyridoxine (B6), B1, B12, and vitamin E.
A
sixth study, that was to prove quite revealing, was undertaken by Dr. Edmund G.
Flink, chairman of medicine at West Virginia University's medical school worked
for some time with alcoholics, and concluded that their alcohol-developed
deficiencies included a serious lack of magnesium.
Efforts
to stop drinking bring on "delirium tremens" symptoms —which are
identical to those exhibited by one who is seriously deficient in the trace
mineral, magnesium. So unendurable are these symptoms that they make it
impossible for some to continue with their withdrawal from the alcohol.
But
Dr. Flink discovered that all that was needed was for those coming off alcohol
to simply take more magnesium in their diet. It did not even need to be
injected. Just taking dolomite tablets, obtainable at any health food store,
would provide all the magnesium that they required.
Dr.
Flink's findings were later confirmed by Dr. John E. Jones of the West Virginia
University Medical Center.
There
are answers; there is help available. The simple, nourishing foods, which God
has given to mankind, can solve so many of our problems. Let us thank our
heavenly Father for them, and use the blessings He has bestowed. Forever
dispense with the poisons and only partake of nutritious food and drink. And you
will be happy that you did so.
As
we mentioned at the beginning of this book, a person cannot stop alcohol unless
he wants to and knows that he must.
If
you are not in very deep, you may be able to quit without the encouragement or
help of others. But you may find that having a friend to go through the
withdrawal is something you need. You may wish to talk it over with a loved one
or close acquaintance. You may want to discuss it with your physician. If there
is a pastor of a church nearby that you can talk and pray with, all the better.
Then
there is Alcoholics Anonymous. This group has helped thousands. They do it by
encouraging one another, and by helping one another admit that they cannot do
it alone,—and that they need a Higher Power—God—to help them do it.
There
are physicians and special hospitals for the recovery of alcoholics. First comes
the immediate withdrawal. Often they will attempt to relieve the withdrawal
symptoms by administering synthetic tranquilizers such as chlordizepoxide,
chlorpromazine, meprobamate, promazine hydrochloride, or reserpine. The use
of tranquilizers coupled with other therapeutic aids can be effective in prompt
recovery from delirium tremens and hallucinations. Other forms of treatment can
then begin. In alcoholic recovery hospitals, the later treatment generally is
based on additional tranquilizing drugs. These quiet him and make him manageable
during the time needed to withdraw from the powerful cravings for alcohol.
Most
physicians, many church pastors, and organizations such as Alcoholics Anonymous
can advise an alcoholic or his family where the most effective help may be found
within a given community, whether in a hospital or not.
But
there is danger in becoming addicted to the tranquilizers, if they are continued
over too long a time at too heavy a dosage. And, it should be noted, that severe
complications may result if tranquilizers are later placed in a body that has
returned to alcohol. It is considered best, by professionals in the field, that
the use of tranquilizers should be given under the careful control and frequent
observation of a physician.
Many
alcoholics are found to be suffering from other physical problems. One of these
is frequently vitamin deficiency. Another can be liver or circulatory damage.
Some
physicians shun the continued use of tranquilizers and instead use what is
termed "aversion therapy." A measured amount of an alcoholic beverage
is given. But into that beverage a certain amount of a nausea-producing agent
has been mixed. Two such agents are apomorphine and emetine. In this treatment,
the alcoholic receives that which he craves, the alcohol, but in a short time it
produces nausea. This is intended to develop a loathing for alcohol. Aversion
therapy should also be accompanied by close medical supervision. Why? Because of
the severe physical reactions.
The
above withdrawal therapies are different types of drug therapy. Frequently, the
relief obtained from them is temporary.
What
is needed is a plan of action that can carry through to a successful termination
of alcohol—without a later return to it.
The
help of God and the encouragement of understanding friends can do that which
nothing else can accomplish.
Alcoholics
Anonymous was started in 1935 by an alcoholic who solved his massive problems
with liquor—simply by trying to help another get off of alcohol. He became so
concerned to help another that he quit himself. Why? Because now he had
something worthwhile to live for, something important to do. The effort to help
others is ennobling and strengthening to the mind and the willpower.
Thousands
of reformed alcoholics can testify to the help they have received from
Alcoholics Anonymous. It presently has a membership of several hundred
thousand all over the world. They hold regular meetings in cities and towns
wherever you go.
Many
cannot understand how AA can help so effectively when it has so little
organization to it. It has no officers, requires no dues. It has no constitution
or bylaws. Each local group is autonomous, and not under outside control.
Its
only purpose is to help alcoholics stop drinking and stay stopped. That is all
it does, but it, does it remarkably well.
Upon
arriving for the first time at an AA meeting, an alcoholic is surprised with
the reception. He walks in, well aware of his physical weakness, emotional
conflicts, guilt feelings, and social isolation. Often he arrives weakened in
every way, and without hardly one solid friend anywhere.
There
he discovers that many of the happy, cheerful people have had far worse
experiences than he lives with daily. They are recovered alcoholics. Hearing
their stories, seeing their return to emotional stability, successful
employment, happy social life, he takes courage that perhaps there is hope for
him.
The
AA members do not condemn him; they just want to help him get off liquor. They
do not try to sell him anything but friendship and lots of free encouragement.
He finds himself totally accepted by the group, and this brings him back to
forthcoming meetings. Whenever he wishes, he can call another AA member on the
phone and talk to him. He will frequently be given a "buddy" to
especially encourage and help him.
At
the heart of the Alcoholics Anonymous program is a firm acceptance of the
belief that the help of a Higher Power the help of God—is needed in order to
receive the strength and resisting, overcoming help that is needed.
Friends
at AA encourage him to keep at it. He may fully leave alcohol immediately; he
may fail sometimes. But he has friends to give him a lift.
Yes,
he receives the most help—and the most quickly—when he admits that he is an
alcoholic, that he cannot stop by himself, and that only God can do it—and
that, moment by moment, he must thereafter rely upon God for the needed help.
In
order to part company with alcohol, you must pray to God for help. And He will
give that help to the degree that you are serious about having nothing more to
do with liquor.
Here
is the twelve-point program of Alcoholics Anonymous:
STEP
1. We admitted that we were powerless over alcohol; our lives had become
unmanageable.
STEP
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to
sanity.
STEP
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we
understood Him.
STEP
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
STEP
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to other human beings the exact nature of
our wrongs.
STEP
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
STEP
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our short comings.
STEP
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends
to them all.
STEP
9. Made direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so
would injure them or others.
STEP
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly
admitted it.
STEP
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with
God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the
power to carry that out.
STEP
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to
carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our
affairs.
At
the meetings and informal discussions members of AA discuss how they were
helplessly in the grip of alcohol, and how through the encouragement of friends
and the help of God, they left it. During the meetings they learn how alcohol
acts on the body and they consider possible reasons why people get into alcohol
to start with. They discuss personality problems, marital difficulties caused by
drinking, and how they can get problems straightened out. They testify to their
own victories, with the help of God, over the terrible habit, and they share
experiences in successfully helping someone else to get off alcohol. Alcoholics
Anonymous is people helping people. And this is what the alcoholic wanted in the
first place. He started on the wrong path while in search of acceptance, love
and appreciation.
Now
he discovers that he finds it by giving it to others.
Two
other organizations have sprung up to aid alcoholics and their families: Al-Anon
has as its objective the helping of wives and husbands of alcoholics. Al-Ateen
attempts to help young people to understand the problems of alcoholic parents
and to withstand the social and emotional pressures they themselves may be
encountering because of those problems.
Local
branches of AA could help put you in contact with Al-Anon or AI-Ateen, so that
you could work with them, or obtain help in starting a branch in your area.
Reformed
alcoholics frequently continue attending for AA weekly meetings for years to
come. But whether they do or not, they know for a certainty that they must
continue their close connection with God, and their efforts to help others find
God so they can recover also.
Recently,
a new group therapy approach has been started that many will find to be very
helpful: It is called the 4 DK Plan (Four-Dimensional Key to the Cause of
Alcoholism). It is a plan of basic alcohol education.
The
4 DK Plan looks at both alcohol and man—in relation to life's four
dimensions — physical, mental, social, and spiritual. It explains and
implements the latest research on the causes of alcoholism, the effects of
alcohol consumption, and the latest rehabilitation methods.
This
Plan consists primarily of four group sessions, showing what alcohol can do to
each of these four parts of a human life. Following this, those in attendance
learn how to combat drinking habits through each dimension. Much of the mystery
is thus taken out of the "how to conquer alcohol" problem. Visual
aids, forums, and general discussion is supplemented with motion picture
films. The two specialists who developed the 4 DK Plan are E.H.J. Steed,
executive director of the International Commission for the Prevention of
Alcoholism, and L.A. Senseman, M.D., longtime chairman of the Rhode Island
Advisory Committee on Alcoholism. The Plan is usually made available through
local hospitals and non-profit organizations.
Four
features of the 4 DK Plan render it especially flexible and helpful: (1) The
plan is educational and is valuable to anyone concerned with alcoholism, whether
or not he drinks. (2) The plan can be instituted in any community, using local
resources. (3) The plan appears to be as helpful to alcoholics as the well-known
Five-Day Plan to Stop Smoking has been to smokers. (4) The plan is positive. It
emphasizes good health and wholesome living.
Information
on already-scheduled community presentations of the 4 DK Plan in your area (or
having them come to your locality) may be obtained by writing to the
International Commission for the Prevention of Alcoholism, 6840 Eastern Avenue,
N.W., Washington D.C. 20012.
"In
the treatment of alcoholic patients there are two stages to be considered—one
is the recovery from the acute alcoholism, and the other is the hang-over. The
essential thing in the treatment of the former is the withdrawal of alcohol and
encouraging a good sleep. Hang-over represents a sudden fall from the supposed
pleasurable or at least painless non-reality of acute alcohol intoxication into
a new reality more threatening than that of the period preceding the bout. The
loss of self-esteem characterizes the over-all feelings of the alcoholic
hang-over. Headache is common, especially in those whose livers become
enlarged and tender due to acute inflammation of the liver. Thirst is one of the
main features, and it is due to perspiration and the loss of water through
excessive action of the kidneys. Fatigue is expressive of both the emotional
tension and the exceptional demands during the episode of acute alcoholic
intoxication.
"The
first thing which must be done is the prompt and total withdrawal of alcohol, as
more alcohol in ever-increasing doses is not a remedy for the psychological
disturbances caused by its excessive use, and at times it is difficult for
alcoholic patients to accept this view. The patient will soon learn that his
mental and physical pain can be relieved by means other than by the use of
alcohol. One of the important things, which must be done, is to allay the
patient's fears, as many times he worries about the irreparable damage done to
the body over the long-continued use of alcohol.
Sleep
is essential, and one of the best means of producing sleep is by the use of
prolonged baths with the temperature maintained at around 92 degrees to 94
degrees. Quiet surroundings are absolutely essential. The diet is important, as
it should not contain anything of a stimulating nature, such as coffee, spices,
and condiments. Milk, eggs, fruits, and vegetables is the ideal diet, with
liberal use of orange juice and other fruit and vegetable juices to combat loss
of fluids in the body.
"In
many instances the only way to properly control the patient is to have him
placed in an institution where careful supervision can be carried out. One of
the distressing things with those who have to deal with habitual alcoholics is
to see them struggling with themselves, remorseful because of their repeated
falls, always declaring that they will never drink again, but invariably
returning to the use of alcohol.
"The
alcoholic patient has to separate himself from his old companions, for they
frequently lead him to drink again. A complete change of life is essential,
and the best change of all is a change of heart that comes from accepting Christ
as a personal Saviour. With His help the alcoholic can obtain freedom which
can be gained in no other way. "—The Problem of Alcohol, pages 7-8.
CONTINUE PART 4
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