Years ago, the words substance abuse might have conjured visions of unsavory characters smoking marijuana, shooting heroin, or snorting cocaine. That picture has since changed. Today, many substance abusers are clean-cut, middle-class Americans. And, they’re not only abusing illegal street drugs. The fact is, drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration kill 140,000 people each year—seven times more than heroin, crack, and all other illegal drugs combined. Furthermore, the three most widely used drugs in our culture—caf—feine, alcohol, and nicotine—are legal. This is not to downplay the problem we have with street drugs. It’s simply to point out that the problem is more far-reaching that most people might think.

Many of my teen clients who abuse cocaine have similar family backgrounds. Dad buys and drinks alcohol by the case and mom routinely takes a half-dozen over-the-counter and prescription drugs to calm her nerves. The entire family has a drug problem, not just the teenager. While some drugs are no doubt more harmful than others, we need to understand that a drug is a drug is a drug. All of these substances are toxic to some degree, and they all rub us of vital nutrients. It’s imperative that we strive to keep the use of any drug, no matter how “harmless,” to an absolute minimum.

While this chapter focuses primarily on alcohol and cocaine, we will also discuss the widespread abuse of cigarettes, marijuana, and coffee. We’ve all heard about what’s wrong with such substances, but we are not often made aware of effective methods for kicking these habits. I will emphasize nutritional solutions that can help you give up these substances with minimal discomfort.

Mainstream advice about overcoming addictions usually centers on mustering up will power, having faith, and/or resolving emotional conflicts. While these are all healthy actions to take, they may be difficult to carry out. They may even be impossible in the face of a powerful, compelling addiction. I use the word “addiction” very broadly here; defined as “the experience of being unable to immediately and permanently stop the use of a drug without suffering some degree of discomfort.”¹

The missing component from most drug withdrawal programs—whether it’s withdrawal from smoking, alcohol, or illegal drugs—is biochemical repair. The addict can be counseled until the cows come home, but this won’t correct the chemical imbalances caused by nutrient deficiencies that perpetuate the condition. Until these imbalances are corrected, no one cannot rightly claim recovery—even if abstinence from the formerly abused substance has been achieved. Therefore, much of what has been labeled “recovery” is simply the substitution of one addiction for another. Too often, detox involves weaning the addict from his drug of choice, and getting him on another drug or set of drugs. The cocaine addict who trades barbiturates for tranquilizers in the name of treatment isn’t cured. He’s just started using a more socially acceptable drug. The alcoholic who relies on caffeine, nicotine, and sugar for his highs isn’t recovered. Though he no longer drinks alcohol, his body chemistry remains unbalanced. His craving for alcohol and his mood swings and depression are likely to remain. In truth, you can claim to have overcome addiction only when you are no longer dependant upon any harmful substance.

Real recovery is about nourishing your body, freeing it from dependency upon drugs and other damaging substances—includ— ing sugar and caffeine—that can be addictive. I believe the negative mental state that gives rise to chemical dependency is itself brought on largely by nutritional deficiency, which is then deepened by drug involvement. Drug therapy for drug addiction may mask symptoms, but it doesn’t correct their cause. Replacing missing nutrients can.

An amazingly effective approach to drug and alcohol rehabilitation is one that features nutritional supplements—vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs—along with a balanced, wholesome diet to hasten recovery. Coupled with counseling, this is a truly holistic program that helps ease withdrawal symptoms and eliminate cravings. Super nutrition can help you or a loved one kick the habit, whether the addictive substance is alcohol, nicotine, sugar, caffeine, or one of a number of illegal street drugs.

CAFFEINE

Caffeine, in the form of coffee, is the drug of choice for Americans. Collectively, we consume over 400 million cups daily. Statistics show that 50 percent of the population ingests at least two cups of coffee daily, 25 percent take in about five cups every day and the remaining 25 percent drink ten or more cups daily.

Caffeine is an extremely potent stimulant that is widely consumed by Americans, not only in coffee, but in tea, cola, over-the-counter wake-up pills, diet pills, diuretics, cold remedies, and headache remedies. It’s similar in effect to amphetamines and cocaine. Chemically, caffeine is classified as a xanthine alkaloid. Other xanthines include theobromine from chocolate and theophylline from tea. All of these substances are similar in their chemical structure and their ability to stimulate the central nervous system. All three are found in coffee.

The caffeine content of coffee depends upon the method used to prepare it. Coffee prepared by the drip method has the highest concentration of caffeine—about 146 milligrams per cup. A cup of percolated coffee has 110 milligrams, while instant coffee has 66 milligrams. And even decaffeinated coffee has some caffeine—about 2 to 5 milligrams—and it often includes traces of the chemical solvent used to remove the caffeine. The most frequently used solvent today is methylene chloride, which can cause irregular or abnormal heartbeat, nausea, and vomiting. A safer solvent, ethyl acetate, is used less frequently. Coffee can also be decaffeinated by the water-process method, which is by far the most preferable technique. However, even when caffeine is removed, oils, acids, tannins, and hundreds of other chemicals remain, many of which also cause physiological changes.

While the amount of caffeine in coffee ranges from 1 percent to 1.3 percent, tea leaves contain 1 percent to 5 percent, depending upon the variety, how the tea is processed, and other factors. The standard cup of tea brewed for five minutes contains 46 milligrams of caffeine; brewed for one minute, it contains only 28 milligrams. Many herbal teas contain no caffeine. Some do, however, so make sure that the label is marked “caffeine free.” Be aware that food products such as chocolate also contain caffeine: baking chocolate contains about 35 milligrams per ounce and milk chocolate has about 6 milligrams per ounce. Other caffeine-containing items are listed in Table 9.1 on the facing page.

Ingestion of caffeine, especially in amounts exceeding 200 milligrams, can contribute to many psychological and physiological problems. Included among these are: anxiety; depression; nervousness /irritability; adrenal exhaustion; birth defects; certain forms of cancer (kidney, bladder, ovarian, and pancreatic); diabetes; fibrocystic conditions; heart disease/heart palpitations; high blood pressure; infertility; kidney infection/failure; reduced nutrient assimilation; sleep disorders; ulcers; vision problems (glaucoma); and vitamin and mineral loss.

Many men who drink coffee also smoke. Smokers need to drink a lot more coffee than do nonsmokers to get the same effect. Caffeine stays in a smoker’s bloodstream only half as long because the tar in cigarettes increases the rate at which enzymes metabolize it. When the ex-smoker continues to drink coffee at the same rate as when he was smoking, blood levels of caffeine increase dramatically. Tobacco withdrawal symptoms are the same as those caused by high blood levels of caffeine, including anxiety attacks, irritability, nervousness, and sleep disturbance. So when a man stops smoking, unless he also quits drinking coffee—or greatly reduces his caffeine intake—he will have trouble ridding himself of these symptoms.

Table 9.1. Caffeine Content of Common Beverages and OTC Drugs

Caffeine has the effect of constricting blood vessels, which can be an advantage for people who suffer from vascular headaches. For example, individuals who suffer from migraines may benefit from consuming a cup of coffee at the onset of the headache to help relieve it. Because of this analgesic effect, caffeine is often added to pain medications. When a chronic coffee drinker stops, he can develop rebound headaches as a result of the dilation of constricted blood vessels.

Caffeine activates the sympathetic nervous system that governs the fight-or-flight reaction. It also stimulates the brain-altering hormone levels and acts on the pleasure centers of the brain, leading to repeated use. High caffeine intake causes the adrenal glands to continuously secrete adrenaline, leading to adrenal exhaustion and eventually resulting in elevated heart rate and blood pressure, and increased respiration. The liver responds by releasing glucose.

Just as blood sugar rises when we consume carbohydrates, it also rises when we take in caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol. This triggers the insulin response, which can lead to hypoglycemia and, ultimately, diabetes. It also causes the body to store fat. Therefore, in addition to balancing macronutrients, we will need to eliminate, or at least minimize, our intake of these substances to achieve physical and mental balance and weight loss.

Caffeine Withdrawal

Caffeine is a stimulant. So are cocaine, marijuana, speed, and hallucinogens. Brain chemicals called neurotransmitters are easily damaged by stimulants, as well as by tranquilizers and other chemicals. These neurotransmitters carry information, in the form of nerve impulses, from the brain to various parts of the body. When drug use damages this relay system, however, the messages aren’t always activated properly.

Caffeine, cocaine, and other addictive drugs are thought to produce a “high” by stimulating the production of dopamine. Repeated use of these stimulants can lead to overstimulation and subsequent burnout of dopamine and other neurotransmitters. Amino acids play an important role in repairing damage caused by these drugs because, along with enzymes and other proteins, these protein building blocks make up neurotransmitters. Therefore, tyrosine—a precursor of dopamine, norepinephrine, thyroid hormones, and epinephrine, or adrenaline—can be used as an effective treatment for caffeine withdrawal, as well as for cocaine addiction. The therapeutic effect of tyrosine lies in its ability to replace vital brain chemicals. Tyrosine can be helpful in dealing with the symptoms of caffeine withdrawal. Doses of 1,000 to 2,000 milligrams taken three times daily on an empty stomach about half an hour before meals can help reduce caffeine cravings. Be aware, however, that if you are taking MAO inhibitors for depression, you should not take tyrosine.

Caffeine addiction damages nerve synapses. Withdrawal symptoms—including tiredness, irritability, headaches, and insomnia—can be averted with adequate amounts of the most common neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. This brain chemical will repair the nerve-synapse damage. It is manufactured from acetyl coenzyme A and choline, a B vitamin found in fish, liver, eggs, soybeans, peanuts, brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, and the lipid lecithin. Five hundred milligrams of choline taken three times daily can help ease the discomfort of caffeine withdrawal.

Dr. Bernard Green, author of Getting Over Getting High, suggests that 2,000 milligrams of vitamin B₁₂ taken in timed-release form will provide an energy boost and the mental acuity of a cup of coffee in the morning. It should be taken in conjunction with a high-potency B-vitamin tablet or a multivitamin and -mineral supplement that contains all of the B vitamins. Morning exercise can also help energize the body and relieve tension.

In breaking the coffee habit, it’s advisable to gradually substitute decaffeinated coffee for regular. Start by making every fourth cup decaffeinated, then every third, and so forth, but do not increase the total number of cups consumed daily. Initially, you should stick with your usual intake. Some people dilute their coffee with more water and less coffee going into each successive cup until finally they’re drinking nothing but hot water. You may want to cut back by eliminating one cup every three to four days. Another option is to gradually replace coffee with herb teas, such as valerian or chamomile, or one of the grain-based coffee substitutes, such as Pero or Roma.

Providing the nutritional support your body needs is probably the most important thing you can do. In addition to the B vitamins, vitamin C, calcium, and magnesium can be helpful in combatting stress. Vitamin C will also help detoxify the body. Take 1,000 milligrams extra of vitamin C along with 250 milligrams of B₆ twice daily to help rid your body of the excess liquid that can accumulate when coffee, itself a diuretic, is stopped. The extra intake of vita mins C and B₆ can be discontinued after a few days.

Another antioxidant, vitamin E, can be helpful in large doses of about 800 milligrams on a short-term basis to ease withdrawal symptoms. Choline, vitamin C, and extra calcium and magnesium should be used along with vitamin E for a one-week period following the elimination of coffee from the diet, after which time the dose can be lowered or the supplements discontinued, depending upon your symptoms. There is no harm in continuing these supplements, as well as tyrosine, for as long as needed.

NICOTINE

Whereas caffeine is a stimulant, nicotine is a depressant. Like caffeine, it’s a legally available, socially acceptable drug used widely in our culture. Nicotine is our third most popular drug, after coffee and alcohol, although its popularity has decreased somewhat in the last few decades.

Once upon a time it was stylish to smoke. Everyone did it—even doctors. In fact, cigarette advertisements declaring that more doctors smoked Lucky Strike than any other brand appeared in past editions of the Journal of the American Medical Association. That changed in 1964, when the Surgeon General’s report was issued, confirming the health hazards of smoking including cancer, lung disease, and heart failure. The ensuing campaign against smoking has been surprisingly successful, considering the highly addictive nature of the drug. Per capita cigarette consumption dropped from 4,345 in 1963 to 2,493 in 1994. Back in 1966, 50 percent of the men in this country smoked. By 1988, only 30 percent did.

The fact that smoking is physically addicting was established in 1942, when researchers found that smoker’s cravings for cigarettes disappeared following nicotine injections. Today, nicotine patches and chewing gums are widely used to help smokers wean themselves off of this deadly poison. Nicotine’s poisonous nature is well known to farmers who use a concentrated spray version of the chemical as a powerful insecticide. Inside the body, nicotine constricts blood vessels, resulting in decreased blood flow to the skin and vital organs.

The toxins in cigarettes are known collectively as “tar.” They are byproducts of the combustion of paper, tobacco, and chemicals used in processing. When inhaled into the lungs, this tar causes the air sacs, called alveoli, to lose their elasticity. Ultimately the bronchial tubes and windpipe also lose their elasticity, and emphysema develops.

The major cancer-causing chemical in cigarettes appears to be benzo(a)pyrene. This carcinogenic chemical is also discharged from automobile exhaust and factory smoke stacks. Benzo- (a)pyrene is considered by the American Cancer Society to be a prime cause of lung cancer, the number one killing cancer among men. It’s estimated that 75 percent of lung cancer deaths could be avoided if people stopped smoking. Smoking puts men at risk not only for lung cancer, but also for cancers of the kidneys, prostate gland, and bladder.

Nicotine Withdrawal

Anyone who has quit smoking—or tried to—can attest to the fact that it’s just not easy. Nicotine addiction is a compelling one. Smokers are hooked just like heroin addicts. But once again, the discomfort of withdrawal can be eased simply by providing the body with nutritional support.

One gram of tyrosine, morning and afternoon, can help stop smoking addiction. Choline, a high-potency B-complex supplement, and vitamin C can all help prevent the cravings associated with nicotine. It’s also important to note that smokers have a greater need for vitamin C, since smoking destroys this vital nutrient. This was demonstrated when nicotine was added to human blood and it was found that the ascorbic acid level in the blood dropped 24 to 31 percent.

Vitamin-E supplementation is also crucial for smokers, and for individuals who are trying to quit. Carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke destroys the oxygen-carrying capacity of hemoglobin in the blood.

In addition, smokers have an increased need for vitamin A, because cigarettes lower levels of the vitamin in the respiratory tract. I recommend supplementing with 25,000 international units (IU) of vitamin A for the smoker and aspiring nonsmoker alike.

When giving up cigarettes, it’s strongly advised that coffee be eliminated, as well. You’ve already seen how blood levels of caffeine increase as a result of smoking cessation, thus perpetuating nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

In Seven Weeks to Sobriety, author Joan Mathews Larson, Ph.D., observes that successful alcohol rehabilitation depends, in part, on kicking the cigarette habit, because relapse is more common among those who continue smoking. While 25 percent of Americans are smokers, a whopping 83 percent of alcoholics smoke. Dr. Larson advises that, in preparation for quitting, the smoker should set a target date two weeks in the future. During the next two weeks, the smoker should avoid caffeine, junk food, and refined sugars, drink at least six glasses of water daily, exercise every day, and avoid acid-forming foods, such as red meat, organ meats, plums, prunes, and cranberries.

Other nutrients that can help with the withdrawal process include gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamine, zinc, and Nicoril capsules. Nicoril contains lobelia and other herbs that the manufacturer (Phyto-Pharmacia of Green Bay, Wisconsin) guarantees will help break the cigarette habit.

GABA is an amino acid that has a powerful calming effect upon the brain. It helps counteract agitation and stress by altering certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Two capsules of Calm Kids by Natrol, with 133 milligrams of GABA per tablet, should be helpful. This product contains several other calming nutrients as well, including glycine, taurine, passionflower, vitamin C, calcium, and magnesium.

Because they are cured with it, cigarettes are composed of up to 75-percent sugar. The amino acid glutamine can serve as an alternative source of glucose to alleviate hypoglycemic reactions among smokers.

Smoking one pack per day of cigarettes deposits 2 to 4 milligrams of cadmium in the lungs, which can lead to emphysema. The body uses a lot of zinc to remove the cadmium buildup. Therefore, smokers are often zinc deficient, and can benefit from an intake of 50 milligrams per day for six weeks.

MARIJUANA

Although marijuana (Cannabis sativa) is used by many people for its calming or “mellowing” effects, it’s actually a stimulant. Because it’s fat soluble, marijuana is stored in the fatty cells of the body and can affect the bloodstream and brain weeks or even months after it’s inhaled. Marijuana is slow to leave the body, and therefore it can build up and cause unpredictable reactions.

The major problems associated with the use of marijuana (commonly called “pot”) appear to involve its effects upon the mental state. These include apathy, dullness, and lethargy. Emotions and desires become suppressed, and short-term memory and learning ability are impaired.

There does appear to be some benefit associated with the use of organically grown marijuana. Its efficacy in treating visual disorders has been upheld in court and there is some evidence that it may possess properties that prevent cancer. However, if cannabis is not grown organically, nitrosamines can form when it combines with the chemicals in many fertilizers. Nitrosamines are major cancer-causing agents. Harm can also come from the psychoactive ingredients used to cut street pot. It is not uncommon for the pot sold on the streets to contain 4 to 6 percent of these ingredients There are also some extremely potent hybrid forms of marijuana, such as sinsemilla. With 13-percent psychoactive ingredients, it can lead to hallucinations and emotional problems.

The tar content in marijuana is believed to be equivalent to that of cigarettes. Pot smoking can therefore create the same physical problems as cigarette smoking. Additionally, smoking pot can create age lines and puffiness around the eyes and mouth. Men who smoke several joints daily on a consistent basis often have decreased sperm counts. And, like caffeine and nicotine, marijuana increases blood glucose levels, triggering the insulin response. The short-term problems associated with the use of this drug can be corrected simply by discontinuing its use. It’s only with long-term use that recovery may be impaired.

Marijuana Withdrawal

The nerve damage caused by long-term use of marijuana can be repaired by supplementing with choline, taken in doses of 500 milligrams, three times daily, along with a high-potency B-complex formula. Vitamin C (1 gram) is also recommended, as it helps strengthen the adrenal glands and blood vessel walls. Heavy pot users can also benefit from the addition of 500 milligrams each of pantothenic acid (vitamin B₅) and vitamin B₆. Zinc is also important for individuals withdrawing from marijuana because, together with vitamin C, it can chelate cadmium, preventing its absorption.

When eliminating any stimulant from the body, norepinephrine is a critical factor. The amino acid phenylalanine gives rise to tyrosine, which is a precursor to both norepinephrine and dopamine. When phenylalanine is not present in the proteins consumed, depression can result. It’s wise to select phenylalanine-rich foods when withdrawing from marijuana, or from any other drug, for that matter. These foods include turkey, cottage cheese, flounder, and roasted peanuts. Adequate phenylalanine intake helps suppress the appetite when small amounts are taken about a half an hour before meals.

Finally, exercise should always be part of any drug-withdrawal regimen. At least thirty minutes a day of physical activity will help produce those “feel-good” endorphins.

COCAINE

Cocaine has become increasingly popular in our culture in recent years. This is indeed unfortunate because its effects can be a danger to users and to the nonusers with whom they associate. A primary danger of this drug is that a person’s reaction to it is totally unpredictable. One person may become ill, another temporarily psychotic, and a third may suffer a heart attack from the stimulation cocaine provides.

Cocaine has a fascinating history. Up until 1914 it was actually used in soft drinks. That’s right—Coca Cola once had real cocaine in it! And Sigmund Freud was a heavy user of cocaine, as well as a major proponent of its use. He did not, however, consider it to be either safe or predictable.

While some people are able to simply use cocaine, others end up abusing it. The difference between the user and the abuser seems to lie in the efficiency with which their bodies metabolize oxygen. Research indicates that users are normal metabolizers, while abusers have insufficient oxygen flow to the brain, which they seek to increase through the oxygen-like rush to the brain cells that the drug provides. The oxygen starvation that the abuser experiences causes him to feel depressed. That feeling is counteracted by the adrenal rush that cocaine produces.

Cocaine stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, mimicking the nerve reaction to an emergency situation. It blocks the transmission of nerve impulses, instead holding them in the synaptic gap between the nerves. This keeps the nervous system switched on, using the body’s reserves of blood sugar and other nutrients for a “quick rush.” In this way, cocaine, more than any other stimulant, creates nutritional deficiencies. The damage that the drug incurs on the nerve synapses will make it difficult for the user to think objectively. He may experience hallucinations, anxiety, and personality disorders. Cocaine also causes the body to become dehydrated, especially when it’s used in conjunction with alcohol or marijuana.

Cocaine causes an increase in heart rate. When this occurs, oxygen consumption also increases. Pure oxygen will not, however, produce the same high, because it does not increase blood glucose levels, as does cocaine. Some of cocaine’s effects, which may vary in degree of severity, are listed below.

• Circulatory system failure

• Convulsions

• Muscle twitching

• Nausea and vomiting

• Cyanosis of the skin

• Feelings of apprehension

• Increased pulse and blood pressure

• Increased respiration

• Loss of muscle reflexes

• Paralysis

• Radical mood changes

• Respiratory failure

• Unconsciousness/loss of vital functions

And the most severe consequence of cocaine use is, of course, death.

Cocaine use increases the concentration of norepinephrine, also called noradrenaline, at the nerve synapse. The result is that the body is pushed into a higher state of metabolism. Consequently, more free radicals are generated. This can lead to the development of degenerative-disease conditions.

Some of the substances with which cocaine is cut—such as tetracaine, butacine, lidocaine, PCP, and methedrine—can be as dangerous, or even more so, than the cocaine itself. Withdrawal programs must be designed to offset the effects of these adulterants, in addition to cocaine. In Getting Off Cocaine, Michael Weiner, Ph.D., outlines a thirty-day program designed to break the addiction. ² The next section covers the highlights of this program and a few suggestions of my own.

Cocaine Withdrawal

Michael Weiner recommends a high-protein diet combined with specific amino acids to repair nerve synapse damage and give a natural energy boost, while taking the edge off the agitation caused by the cocaine. These amino acids, as well as specific vitamins and minerals used in his program, are associated with brain metabolism. The program is designed to increase blood and oxygen supply to the brain, stabilize blood sugar, and provide antioxidant protection. In addition to a multivitamin and -mineral supplement, it incorporates the following elements:

• Adrenal extract

• Calcium / magnesium

• Cysteine

• Dimethylglycine (DMG)

• Glutamine

• Gotu kola

• Lecithin

• Passionflower

• Phenylalanine

• Selenium

• Sudafed

• Tryptophan

• Tyrosine

• Vitamin B complex

• Vitamin C

• Vitamin E

I’ve already discussed the important functions of several of these nutrients, but let’s briefly review a few of them here.

Adrenal extract combats adrenal exhaustion caused by cocaine. This kind of exhaustion is characterized by low blood sugar, fatigue, lethargy, depression, irritability, inability to concentrate, weakness, and poor appetite.

Calcium and magnesium work together to help eliminate muscle cramping and twitching. They are known to be natural tranquilizers and muscle relaxants.

Dimethylglycine (DMG) is an amino acid that improves oxygen utilization at the cellular level, combats fatigue, and increases endurance.

Glutamine is the only substance, other than glucose, that can serve as fuel for the brain. This amino acid helps improve intelligence, fight fatigue and depression, and control cravings for sugar and alcohol.

Lecithin is a lipid that’s needed by every cell in the human body. This nutrient contains choline from which the neurotransmitter acetylcholine is derived. Acetylcholine is responsible for nerve transmission, and it regulates the activity of the muscles, and is required for memory, appetite, sexual behavior, and the ability to sleep. Choline and lecithin can have an antidepressant effect and help to combat physical restlessness.

The amino acid phenylalanine is a precursor of tyrosine. It creates a natural feeling of well-being, aids in overcoming depression, increases mental alertness, improves memory, and helps suppress appetite.

The mineral selenium is an antioxidant that protects against free radicals. Its presence is required to activate vitamin E.

Tyrosine is an amino acid that’s derived from phenylalanine, and is involved in the manufacture of adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine, and thyroid hormones. It also helps overcome depression, increase mental alertness, and improve memory. In a cocaine-detoxification program conducted at Columbia University in New York, investigators reported that 75 to 80 percent of those treated with tyrosine were able to stop cocaine use completely or decrease their use by at least 50 percent.

The B complex vitamins are a team that work together to help combat depression, fatigue, and weakness, and to defend the body against the ravages of stress.

Vitamin C is an important antioxidant that offsets free-radical damage and helps preserve the antioxidant nutrient vitamin E. It plays a key role in the production of neurotransmitters in the brain, helps soothe anxiety and insomnia, and supports the adrenal glands.

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that facilitates oxygen utilization, calms the nervous system, and restores function of a damaged liver.

We have not yet discussed the other supplements listed on page 173. Now, let’s take a closer look at some of these important nutrients.

Cysteine, a sulfur-containing amino acid, helps destroy harmful chemicals in the body, such as acetylaldehyde and the free radicals produced by smoking, drinking, and the body’s everyday metabolic processes. It protects the body against the effects of radiation, heavy metals, and other harmful substances.

Gotu kola is an herb that has sedative properties. It’s also a tonic herb that can strengthen and energize the brain.

Passiflora (passionflower) is another sedative herb. One type of passionflower, Giant Granadilla, has been found to contain serotonin. It helps to calm the body by promoting transmission of subtle nerve impulses, and is useful in combating insomnia, nervous tension, fatigue, and muscle spasms.

Sudafed is an over-the-counter synthetic version of the Chinese herb, ma haung (ephedra), which is useful in treating allergies. The drug stimulates the central nervous system without raising blood sugar. It’s similar pharmacologically to cocaine, except the stimulation from it lasts a few hours instead of just a few minutes, as with cocaine. Weiner recommends that Sudafed be used during the first few days of withdrawal from cocaine or amphetamines. He emphasizes the importance of reading the cautions on the label and not exceeding one 30-milligram tablet twice daily, and recommends that it not be taken more than five days without consulting a physician.

The amino acid tryptophan was included in Weiner’s program before the FDA prohibited its manufacture and sale in the fall of 1989, following the discovery of a contaminated batch. Prior to that time, it was used successfully in drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs with no ill effects. Tryptophan helps to offset depression by increasing levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin. It has an anti-anxiety effect and helps combat insomnia. While the ban on tryptophan is in effect, one should not attempt to obtain it. Instead, 6 milligrams of melatonin can be used in its place to help induce sleep. Inositol, a B vitamin found in lecithin, is beneficial, as well.

In addition to the supplements and over-the-counter products listed above, Dr. Weiner emphasizes the importance of consuming foods high in phenylalanine to facilitate noradrenaline production. He also recommends avoiding high-carbohydrate meals because they will “slow you down and make you drowsy.” That’s good advice. People withdrawing from cocaine who experience hallucinations should also use niacin and extra vitamin C. The use of aloe vera or an herbal ointment with vitamin E or goldenseal is good for soothing nasal tissue irritation.

Dr. Weiner also promotes daily exercise—fifteen to twenty minutes per day to oxygenate the system—and the use of coffee enemas to detoxify the body. The caffeine in the coffee stimulates the liver and colon and, absorbed into the portal system, coffee can help flush out the bile in the liver, lightening its toxic load. The same results are not achieved by drinking coffee, due to chemical changes that occur in the stomach. To prepare the enema, boil four heaping tablespoons of ground coffee in two cups of water for ten minutes. Dilute with cold water to make 1½ to 2 quarts, and adjust the temperature as needed. Pour into an enema bag.

I believe that Dr. Weiner’s recommendations are excellent, though I’d advise doing without the Sudafed, if possible. I also recommend trying some herbs not mentioned by him that can help detoxify the liver and digestive tract. These are listed below:

• Burdock root is a strong liver purifier that also helps balance hormones.

• Dandelion increases the flow of bile, purifies the blood, and is specific for hypoglycemia.

• Ginkgo biloba can be useful in supporting the nervous system. It improves cellular glucose uptake, enhances short-term memory, boosts energy, and is a free-radical scavenger.

• Goldenseal is a liver and blood detoxifier and natural antibiotic that helps reverse liver damage and treat a variety of infections.

• Milk thistle is effective in treating cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, and alcohol-induced fatty liver. This herb protects the liver cells from damage by environmental and internal toxins.

In addition, the use of enzymes and acidophilus in any withdrawal program can enhance its effectiveness. Acidophilus provides “friendly” intestinal flora that help to digest food and control pathogenic yeast, bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Enzymes assist in the digestive process.

ALCOHOL

Alcoholism is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Relapse is common among alcoholics. Nearly 80 percent of people who receive traditional treatment relapse within two years. Most alcoholics today do not recover. They die prematurely from alcohol-induced disease.

One of the most comprehensive and sound alcohol rehabilitation programs I’ve encountered is described in SevenWeeks to Sobriety by Joan Mathews Larson.³ Dr. Larson, Director of Health Recovery Center (HRC) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, earned her Ph.D., in part, by compiling the data presented in her book, which is a skillful blend of nutritional research, practical application, personal insight, and a do-it-yourself rehabilitation program.

Dr. Larson’s personal insight was facilitated by a personal tragedy that drove her to understand the causes of alcoholism and to seek out effective treatment methods. Years before she became involved in the world of rehabilitation, Larson was suddenly widowed and left with three children. Shortly after her husband’s untimely death, her middle child began exhibiting mood swings that were found to result from alcohol-induced hypoglycemia. Despite being given the best of care and treatment over the next several years, her son committed suicide in his senior year of high school.

Larson’s search for answers led to her theory that physical rehabilitation is the missing link in the treatment of alcoholism. To test the theory, she founded the Health Recovery Center in 1981. As of 1992, when Seven Weeks to Sobriety was published, over three-quarters of the more than 1,000 alcoholics and drug addicts treated there were successfully rehabilitated. This is extremely impressive, since the typical success rate of alcohol rehabilitation is only 25 percent. Today, HRC provides a working model of a holistic approach to rehabilitation—one that incorporates other aspects of treatment such as counseling, but emphasizes biochemical repair of the damage caused by drug and alcohol-induced nutritional imbalances and deficiencies. Much of the information offered here is based upon Dr. Larson’s compilation of research data and its application at HRC.

Dr. Larson accurately observes that most addicts have one or more of the following problems:

• Allergies

• Candidiasis

• Heavy metal toxicity

• Hypoglycemia

• Nutrient deficiency

• Thyroid disorders

To get someone off alcohol—or any other drug for that matter—and fail to treat these underlying disorders is a predictable prelude to failure. The above conditions have many symptoms that may masquerade as psychological problems. Therefore, counseling is traditionally used as a primary treatment modality. While it can be an important adjunct therapy, counseling alone will do nothing to correct the above disorders because they are all rooted in physical imbalances.

Of the conditions listed above, I have already discussed hypothyroidism (see Chapter 8) and touched upon problems caused by heavy metals. There seems to be evidence that a buildup of lead and cadmium in the body can predispose an individual to alcohol addiction. Hypoglycemia can be caused by alcohol consumption because alcohol triggers the insulin response. It can also be brought on by excess consumption of sugar and caffeine and aggravated by alcohol. Following the 40/30/30 eating plan can help individuals with low blood sugar to effectively regulate their hypoglycemia.

Now, let’s explore the two remaining conditions: candidiasis and allergies.

Candidiasis

Candida albicans is a yeast organism that normally populates the gastrointestinal (GI) tract without causing problems. Several factors can, however, cause candida to change into its fungal form and proliferate in the GI tract and elsewhere, causing a range of symptoms. The body systems most sensitive to the yeast are the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts and the endocrine, nervous, and immune systems. Symptoms of candidiasis may include gastrointestinal disturbances such as altered bowel function, bloating, and gas; psychological problems, including depression, irritability, and inability to concentrate; low energy levels; chemical sensitivities; and allergies.

According to Dr. Larson, analysis of the medical records of 213 patients treated at HRC showed that 55 percent of the women and 35 percent of the men had case histories that indicated probable candida overgrowth.

Candida overgrowth is caused by many factors. Chief among them is antibiotic therapy. By destroying all bacteria in the GI tract—the helpful and the harmful—antibiotics reduce the body’s immunity and pave the way for proliferation of candida. Refined carbohydrates, steroids, coffee, fluoridated and chlorinated water, and mercury toxicity can also contribute to candida overgrowth by destroying beneficial bacteria in the intestines.

In treating candidiasis, the aforementioned substances must be avoided, as well as foods with a high content of yeast or molds, including alcoholic beverages, cheeses, dried fruits, and peanuts. Refined sugars should also be eliminated from the diet, as well as dairy products (due to their trace levels of antibiotics) and all known allergens. Vegetables, proteins, and whole grains may be included regularly in the diet, however.

Allergies

In listing allergies among the factors associated with alcoholism, Dr. Larson refers to both food and chemical sensitivities. She states that 56 percent of the clients at HRC were found to be sensitive to chemicals in the environment. The most common allergens are ethanol, which is contained in alcohols; automobile exhaust; certain hand lotions and perfumes; gasoline; hydrocarbons; natural gas; tobacco smoke; and soft plastics. Exposure to any of these substances, as well as other chemicals, can trigger intense and sudden responses of anger or sorrow, and cause fatigue, exhaustion, spaciness, mental confusion, depression, cravings, and/or irritability.

Many men have occupational exposure to chemicals. House painters, garage mechanics, hair stylists, and printers, among others, breathe in chemical fumes on the job. Individuals in these occupations are often alcoholic, according to Larson. They become intoxicated by the fumes from their jobs. After a day at work, they are drawn to drink alcohol to stave off withdrawal symptoms. Attempts to stop drinking are foiled by strong cravings for alcohol.

It was the work of allergist Theron Randolph, M.D., that first made us aware of the link between environmental chemical sensitivity and many physical and emotional disorders. Special sublingual allergy testing, in which a sample of the chemical is placed under the tongue, can reveal chemical sensitivities. This testing is done by a clinical ecologist/allergist who is trained not only to identify such allergies, but to desensitize patients to the offending substances.^l

While clinical ecologists can test for the food allergies that trigger the same sort of reactions as environmental chemicals, there are some techniques you can apply on your own to identify problem foods. The foods most under suspicion are those you most frequently consume. Wheat, milk, and corn are common allergens for many people. One technique for identifying food allergens is the pulse test. First, establish a regular, resting pulse rate by taking your pulse several times throughout the day and recording it for one full minute. Once you’ve established your average daily pulse, take your pulse after eating a single food. Take it at five minutes and twenty-five minutes after eating. A pulse twelve or more beats per minute faster or slower than your norm indicates an allergic reaction. Once you have identified the allergen, you should eliminate that food from your diet for the next six months to a year, then rotate it back in, eating it at intervals of four to seven days, but not daily. A similar rotation of tolerated foods can help prevent formation of new allergies and control existing ones.

An important thing to understand about food allergies or intolerances is that, in order for allergies to occur, there must be an excess of “bad” series-2 eicosanoids present. As you’ll recall, this excess results from consuming too many carbohydrates. Also, too much alcohol, caffeine, and/or saturated fats will have the same effect. By adopting the 40/30/30 eating plan and eliminating caffeine and alcohol, you can prevent food allergies.

Alcohol Detoxification

Detoxification is just the beginning of biochemical repair, but it is an important beginning. The following supplements are included in Dr. Larson’s detox formula, plus dose per capsule:

In addition, Dr. Larson recommends taking a quality multivitamin and -mineral supplement.

From previous discussions, you’re familiar with each of these, except perhaps the DL form of phenylalanine. Most amino acids are used just in their L form. I’ve already described the effects of L-phenylalanine: I just left off the “L.” By adding the D to the L form, we get the added effect of pain control and mood elevation through increased endorphin production.

In Dr. Larson’s seven-week program, week one is devoted to assessing the damage done by drugs or alcohol. Breaking the addiction begins in week two. That’s where detoxification comes in. Dr. Larson actually gives two versions of this detox formula. They differ only in terms of nutrient doses. In both cases, multiple capsules are taken nine times daily. A person’s alcohol biotype is what determines the version of the detox formula he will take. (For details on the doses of Larson’s detox formulas and additional nutrients used in the remaining five weeks of treatment, I refer you to her book.)

Alcohol Biotypes

Dr. Larson identifies three basic alcohol biotypes. Of these three, the two most common are allergic/addicted alcoholic chemistry and omega-6-EFA deficient alcoholic chemistry.

Dr. Theron Randolph, father of clinical ecology, first put forth the theory that the allergic/addicted alcoholic is actually allergic to alcohol. Dr. Randolph’s work has shown that addiction to food and alcohol can produce alternating highs and lows. The occurrence of these up-and downswings depends upon whether the addictive substance is present or absent.

Randolph found that many alcoholics are allergic/addicted to the sugars, grapes, and grains from which alcohol is produced. His findings are substantiated by those of Herbert Karolus, M.D., who found that the majority of the 422 alcoholics he studied were allergic to wheat or rye, the grains that form the base of many distilled liquors. The allergic reaction can effect any organ of the body and can disrupt brain chemistry, altering moods and behavior. The allergic/addicted individual will invariably become ill the first time he consumes alcohol, but with repeated consumption, his body adapts. In fact, the appeal of the alcohol lies in the body’s reaction to it. As an adaptive response to the alcohol (or any other allergen), the body will produce endorphins, which create a feeling of euphoria. The endorphin effect is followed by the unpleasant sensations of withdrawal, which drive the individual to resume drinking. Over time, the withdrawal symptoms become more intense and last longer than the high.

Allergic/addicted individuals tend to become angry, depressed, or abusive when drinking—a result of the allergic response of their brains and central nervous systems. They also tend to be binge drinkers and are prone to suffering from hangovers.

Depression is characteristic of the omega-6-EFA deficient alcoholic. Apparently, this depression stems from a genetic abnormality in the way essential fatty acids are metabolized. Normally, they are converted into specific prostaglandins, such as El and PGE1, which prevent depression, hyperexcitability, and convulsions. However, with this biotype, the conversion process is defective, resulting in abnormally low levels of prostaglandin PGE1—a deficiency that causes depression.

When a person with this type of body chemistry drinks alcohol, PGE1 is activated in the brain, which replaces the depression with a feeling of well-being. However, since the brain is hampered in its ability to make new PGE1, the supply of this prostaglandin is gradually depleted. As a result, over time, alcohol seems to lose its ability to relieve the depression.

Because it has gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), evening primrose oil can help the brain convert essential fatty acids to PGE1. GLA is an omega-6 EFA, and a vitally important nutrient for this particular biotype—one that can be identified not only by low EFA levels, but also by ancestry and family history. The omega-6 EFA-deficient alcoholic typically has at least one grandparent who is Welsh, Irish, Scottish, Scandinavian, or Native American. He will generally have a long history of depression and a close relative who was either depressed or schizophrenic. There also may be a family history of eczema, cystic fibrosis, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or benign breast disease. Genetic history influences tolerance to alcohol in the same way it influences food tolerances.

People from the Mediterranean areas of Europe have been drinking alcohol for more than 7,000 years. Today, they have a very low susceptibility to alcoholism—10 percent. Those from Northern European countries, including Ireland, Scotland, Wales, northern parts of Russia and Poland, and the Scandinavian countries have been drinking alcohol for only 1,500 years. As a result, their susceptibility to alcoholism is measurably higher, at about 20 to 40 percent. Native Americans, including Eskimos, had no access to alcohol until 300 years ago, and their vulnerability to alcoholism is extraordinarily high—80 to 90 percent.⁴

Dr. Larson relates a study conducted in Scotland where David Horrobin, M.D., worked with two groups of alcoholics whose EFA levels were 50 percent below normal. One group was given EFA replacement, and the other received a placebo, or “dummy pill,” with no active ingredients. The EFA replacement group exhibited far fewer withdrawal symptoms than the placebo group and, three months later, their liver function was almost normal, while there was no significant improvement seen in the liver function of the placebo group. A year later, only 28 percent of the placebo group remained sober, while 83 percent of the EFA replacement group remained sober—and free of depression.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

The most commonly abused substances in our culture are caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine, in that order. Although these are legal substances, they are no less toxic than illegal drugs such as marijuana and cocaine. And addictions to all of these drugs can be powerful and extremely difficult to break. But many others have done it, and you can too—you just have to know where to start.

As I said earlier, recovery means no longer being addicted to any damaging substances. It doesn’t mean trading alcohol for caffeine or cocaine for tranquilizers. People with addictive chemistries usually use multiple drugs. Traditional rehabilitation programs typically focus on counseling and neglect physical rehabilitation. Often, this sets the substance abuser up for failure because the therapy does not correct the underlying imbalance. True rehabilitation involves nutrient saturation, biochemical repair, and withdrawal from all drugs. And the elimination of processed foods and incorporation of a balanced diet based on the 40/30/30 plan should be an integral part of your withdrawal and maintenance program.

Orthomolecular physicians specialize in a nutritional approach to treating various health disorders. Should you require professional assistance in breaking an addiction, I suggest you contact the Huxley Institute for Biosocial Research at 1-800-847-3802. They can provide you with a list of orthomolecular physicians in your area. You may also wish to contact Aatron (1-800-367-7744) to be tested for amino acid levels and directed to a specific formula based on your individual needs.