The disease of alcoholism can be analysed in terms of mood or feeling swings. Alcoholism becomes evident when the swing back of mood following drinking takes the drinker back beyond the zero point. At this time, larger and larger amounts of alcohol are necessary to enable the alcoholic to reach the euphoric stage where the world looks terrific and where anything can be fixed. As the drinking increases, defence mechanisms such as rationalisation, projection and repression, accompanied by actual memory changes associated with blackouts and euphoric recall, take the alcoholic out of touch with reality even while sober. The fact that alcoholics are out of touch with reality is the underlying reason why those living with alcoholics cannot understand them. Why alcoholics cannot even see that they have a problem and why others shake their heads in despair as the bizarre and destructive patterns of behavior symptomatic of the disease of alcoholism begin to unfold. Alcoholics need to understand that they have developed the processes such as rationalization to a fine art and to beware of the re-emergence of these processes in the recovery period. Alcoholics have to be honest with themselves and honest in their dealings with others. They can no longer deny any weaknesses in their make-up, but have either to change these weaknesses or to accept them. Denial of being an alcoholic or refusal to accept that sobriety is the only way to arrest the disease of alcoholism is dynamite. Recovery cannot occur if sober alcoholics remain out of touch with reality by blaming others for their troubles or by using other defence mechanisms, such as denial or projection. The phenomenon of euphoric recall is a potent source of danger during recovery. As physical health improves and as alcoholics move back into their old environment, the memory of the pain, damage and suffering associated with alcoholic drinking begins to fade and many alcoholics recall only the terrific times they had formerly and remember the euphoric feelings associated with drinking. They are then immediately at risk of picking up a drink. An invitation to a party, the sight of others enjoying themselves drinking and the presence of alcohol may be enough to set them off again on their destructive path. This destructive path can be represented as a curve that rapidly accelerates towards the end, because alcoholism is a 100% fatal disease unless total abstinence is attained, death is inevitable. Alcoholics have only three choices: death, insanity or get help. The important step in recovery from alcoholism is for the alcoholic to take a long, hard look at the ‘self’ and take the necessary steps to change their attitude to change their emotions (feelings) to ultimately, change their behavior.  Alcoholics have very low self-esteem and cope poorly with their lives and have major problems in emotional, family, social and occupational areas and frequently in financial, legal and sexual aspects as well. Part of my program involves doing a ‘fearless moral inventory’ of Self and that is, complete honesty in looking at the characteristics and abilities an individual possesses before looking at the characteristics and abilities that are preferred. In looking at the Ideal Self an individual needs to be careful not to include impossible attributes, characteristics or situations. While all may want to be rational, tolerant and calm, many alcoholics need to look closely at their pattern of abilities so they do not set themselves up for a fall.  Don’t walk where it’s slippery – is my mantra for the alcoholic.  The importance of changing alcoholic thinking, which is often stinking thinking, to proactive thinking, takes time and a lot of patience. The important thing for an alcoholic to identify quite clearly is what the present True Self is like and, as of that moment, what she or he would like to be.  Peeling away the onion layers and finding the True Self is what a ‘fearless moral inventory’ is all about. Before I start counselling a new alcoholic patient, I need to assess their ability to absorb and retain what I am going to say to them. When it comes to feeling mentally and emotionally switched on, we have to have the correct brain chemistry – get it wrong and you will never achieve the feeling of wellbeing that you crave. Tyrosine Mood Food is necessary for the manufacture of dopamine and noradrenaline, which are required for concentration, alertness, memory and a happy stable mood.  Dopamine is a neurotransmitter responsible for the sense of satisfaction – why do we drink? To feel satisfied.  It is also the reward neurotransmitter – why do we drink?  It rewards us and makes us feel better about life. To help the alcoholic relax I recommend Magnesium Complete as it will assist in the reduction of stress, nervous tension, anxiety and sleeplessness. I take Magnesium Ultra Potent because it suits me to use the powder format and to help prevent muscle cramps at night. L-Glutamine helps to remove ammonia from the bloodstream to lower levels of toxic ammonia that build up when liver dysfunction is present. A practicing alcoholic has a very inflamed liver and needs to detox and heal, if the body is to recover from alcoholism.  L-Glutamine is the most amazing amino acid in the body! It is vital for healthy intestinal function and may help with inflammation of the intestinal tract. It is also vital for muscle growth and healthy muscle function. It also assists muscle recovery after exercise. I always put my patients on an exercise program to help heal their mind, body and spirit. L-Glutamine also supports efficient brain function. Glutamine can be found in our Ultimate Gut Health Powder. Livatone Plus is a powerful formula that can support liver function when there are more chronic liver problems. It is beneficial for a sluggish bile flow and gall bladder problems or if you have lost your gallbladder. It is beneficial in reducing abdominal bloating, burping and flatulence and provides extra antioxidant protection for the liver when required. Allergies are related to poor liver function which reduces the liver’s efficiency in cleansing the blood of toxins (such as antibodies and chemicals like alcohol.) Such toxins over stimulate the immune system causing it to pour out inflammatory chemicals. Find out more, read Dr. Cabot’s book The Liver Cleansing Diet.