Discover the Cause of Addiction

To understand the underlying cause of addiction, our doctors have to understand your personal and family dynamics, as well as what makes your symptoms less or worse. Our treatment is specialized just for you, so we recommend doing a full client initial intake and homeopathic intake, but it’s possible to do only one of these or certain services only (acupuncture or IV’s), when a person is already under the care and receiving treatment from another provider.

Lab work is an important part in understanding if any deficiencies are present and identifying exactly what's needed. During your initial intake appointment, your doctor will discuss relevant testing, which may include a basic blood draw lab order (common labs include Sonora Quest or LabCorp) or specialized testing, such as a micronutrient panel or food sensitivity testing. Micronutrients are made up of vitamins and minerals which are needed in small amounts to ensure physical health, optimal growth, and efficient metabolism, so it’s important to understand if there’s malabsorption happening in the body. Food allergy testing can be appropriate, especially when uncovering food triggers, allergies, and sensitivities.

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Naturopathic Treatment for Substance & Alcohol Abuse

A combination of naturopathic treatments are used to help a person heal from their addiction to include detoxification, nutritional support with supplements and probiotics, Intravenous therapy (IV) to administer nutrients and amino acids, acupuncture, and homeopathy. Common traditional prescription drugs, may be used to help in certain short-term instances, in conjunction with naturopathic treatment, during the detoxification process when appropriate or needed. A referral to an intensive outpatient detoxification center may be given, in addition to naturopathic treatment with our office.

IV Therapy for Natural Detox

Did you know that your body creates its own form of natural painkillers? The brain is designed to make these natural substances, but the more often that alcohol and drugs are used, the less natural painkillers are made, resulting in even more usage and higher doses of the artificial substances. This becomes a troubling cycle creating a physiological dependence where a person wants more and more of the substance to the point where their life may revolve around this.

When IV therapy replenishes these amino acids, many people have found a reduction in cravings, less physical pain, and an improvement in mood/mood swings, which ultimately helps towards a long-term recovery and lessens the chances of relapse.

6 Amino Acids Found to Reduce Cravings

In order for the body to replenish its own natural endorphins, research has found that these six amino acids are critical in reducing drug and alcohol cravings. If any of these are in low supply, IV (intravenous therapy) can be administered to replace these important amino acids:

1. Glycine
2. Leucine
3. Tyrosine
4. L-phenylalanine
5. D-phenylalanine
6. Methionine

Tell me more about IV Therapy

Supplemental Ingredient	Restored Brain Chemical	Addictive Substance Abuse	Amino Acid Deficiency Symptoms	Expected Behavior Change
D-Phenylalanine or DL-Phenylalanine	Enkephalins Endorphins	Heroin, Alcohol, Marijuana, Sweets, Starches, Chocolate, Tobacco	Most Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) conditions sensitive to physical or emotional pain. Crave comfort and pleasure. Desire certain food or drugs.	Reward stimulation. Anti-craving. Mild anti-depression. Mild improved energy and focus. D-Phenylalanine promotes pain relief, increases pleasure.
L-Phenylalanine or L-Tyrosine	Norepinephrine Dopamine	Caffeine, Speed, Cocaine, Marijuana, Aspartame, Chocolate, Alcohol, Tobacco, Sweets, Starches	Most Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) conditions. Depression, low energy. Lack of focus and concentration. Attention-deficit disorder.	Reward stimulation. Anti-craving. Anti-depression. Increased energy. Improved mental focus.
L-Tryptophan or 5 hydroxytryptophan (5HTP)	Serotonin	Sweets, Alcohol, Starch, Ecstasy, Marijuana, Chocolate, Tobacco	Low self-esteem. Obsessive/compulsive behaviors. Irritability or rage. Sleep problems. Afternoon or evening cravings. Negativity. Heat intolerance. Fibromyalgia, SAD (winter blues).	Anti-craving. Anti-depression. Anti-insomnia. Improved appetite control. Improvement in all mood and other serotonin deficiency symptoms.
GABA (Gamma-amino butyric acid)	GABA	Valium, Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Alcohol, Marijuana, Tobacco, Sweets, Starches	Feeling of being stressed-out. Nervous. Tense muscles. Trouble relaxing.	Promotes calmness. Promotes relaxation.
L-Glutamine	GABA (mild enhancement) Fuel source for entire brain	Sweets, Starches, Alcohol	Stress. Mood swings. Hypoglycemia.	Anti-craving, anti-stress. Levels blood sugar and mood. GABA (mild enhancement). Fuel source for entire brain.

This chart was originally published in the following article: Blum K, Ross J, Reuben C, Gastelu D, Miller DK. “Nutritional Gene Therapy: Natural Healing in Recovery

Nutrition for Recovery

Nutrition is an important part of the recovery process and vital to long-term success, as drug and alcohol abuse often damage healthy gut bacteria causing digestive issues, such as constipation, indigestion, lack of appetite, stomach pain, and more. Chronic alcohol or substance abuse can damage the inner lining of the intestines leading to malabsorption of important vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

The gut has been coined as “the second” brain because it's made up of millions of nerve cells, which when damaged have a direct and adverse impact on mood, addiction triggers, and how the body responds. Healing the “second brain” can be done with supplements, probiotics, lifestyle diet and nutritional coaching, food sensitivity testing, and IV therapy to replace missing nutrients.

Acupuncture for Post Acute Addiction Withdrawal Syndrome

Acupuncture has been found reduce symptoms of Post Acute Addiction Withdrawal Syndrome (PAAWS), which can be difficult for those (and their loved ones) during recovery. Some common symptoms of PAAWS include physical pain such as dizziness, muscle pain, headaches/migraines, fatigue, insomnia, nausea, and cravings. Acupuncture is often used during the detox phase of recovery, but can be used at any point in treatment and works well when paired with IV therapy and/or homeopathic treatment.

NADA Ear Acupuncture for Withdrawal
The NADA (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association) protocol is a targeted acupuncture treatment to focus on addictions, including but not limited to, drug and alcohol addiction. The NADA protocol helps to reduce withdrawal symptoms and is used by administering acupuncture needles into the ear at predetermined points by a licensed professional. Some studies have reported positive findings when NADA has been used during treatment contributing to increased program completion, reduced cravings, and increased abstinence from drug, alcohol, and tobacco.

To balance is to heal. To harmonize is to regulate. The needle can harmonize and heal any sickness."
-Huang Di Nei Jing, ancient Chinese medical text

Homeopathy for Healing Addiction

Homeopathy acts as a healing agent within the body to promote growth, awareness, physical, and mental healing and is a powerful tool to help anyone serious about their recovery. To learn more about homeopathy, click here.

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Once you understand the true causes of addiction, the path to long-term recovery becomes clear.

We can help. Contact us to learn more