Addiction is a modern-day epidemic. Whether it’s alcohol, drugs, food, gambling, shopping or something else; a large percentage of the population battle with addiction at some point in their life. Addiction can rob you of your health and steal years off your life. Fortunately there are ways to help fight the biological craving for addictive substances.

Human beings have a deep desire to feel happy and to find peace of mind. At times in our lives, most of us find this wholeness of peace and beauty, but then it slips away, only to return at another time. It’s the elusive, transitory thing called happiness. When it leaves us, we feel a little flat or sad but we know that it is part of the natural cycles of life and it’s not a cycle that we can control.

Addiction can be viewed as an attempt to control these uncontrollable cycles. When alcoholics use alcohol to produce a desired mood change, they believe they can control these cycles by drinking their way through them.  They don’t give themselves the chance to learn the lesson that life has thrown at them.

All addictions and addictive processes have in common an out-of-control and aimless searching for happiness and peace of mind. No matter what the addiction is, every addict engages in a relationship with a chemical or behavioral addiction, in order to produce a desired mood change and a state of intoxication. People who suffer with depression or anxiety are at increased risk of addiction.

Most addictions occur when the pleasure centres in the brain become addicted to the production of dopamine. Dopamine produces pleasant feelings in the body and floods the natural reward system in the brain. The dopamine response is what an addict chases when they want to get high. People can become addicted to substances or behavioral patterns that stimulate dopamine and keep them hooked.

Remedies that help addiction

  • N-acetyl cystine (NAC). NAC has shown promise in early clinical trials to help those with addictions, including addiction to the dangerous drug ICE (methamphetamine). It may also help those addicted to nicotine, cocaine and cannabis. NAC has been found to alter brain chemicals associated with addiction according to the trials at Curtin University. Their trials are aimed at showing if NAC can reduce levels of use in those who are actively using ICE. The drug ICE causes an imbalance in glutamate systems in the brain. NAC can rebalance the glutamate systems in the brain in a favourable way. Desperate parents are hopeful these trials will work as much of the world suffers with an ICE epidemic. A Matrix Model trial in South Australia has found that this intensive community-based treatment provides results up to six times better than traditional programs like rehab or detox. The program incorporates social support, relapse prevention and family education, combined with meditation and Narcotics Anonymous meetings.
    NAC is used by the liver to make the powerful antioxidant called glutathione which repairs liver, kidney and lung damage. It is also helpful for those with excess respiratory mucus and infections.
  • St Mary’s thistle. This herb has remarkable regenerative effects on the liver. Food, alcohol and drug addiction can all severely compromise liver health. If you have poor liver health, you will feel tired and unmotivated. Improving your liver health will make you feel stronger and healthier, thus better equipped to work on fighting your addiction. St Mary’s thistle is found in Livatone Plus. The daily dose contains 420mg of silymarin, which is the dose proven to regenerate the liver in clinical trials.
  • Magnesium. This is a wonderfully calming and relaxing mineral. I call it The Great Relaxer. It should help you get a deep, restful sleep at night and reduce anxiety or tension during the day.
  • Glutamine is an amino acid best known for healing a leaky gut and increasing muscle mass in athletes. Glutamine also helps reduce cravings for sugar and alcohol. Try taking a heaped teaspoon of glutamine throughout the day, any time you get a craving.
  • Adrenal Plus Support.  If you support the function of your adrenal glands, you have more chance coping with the everyday pressures of life. Many people suffer with morning fatigue and depression due to sluggish function of the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are 2 small glands that are situated just above the kidneys and when they are working efficiently, they produce extra surges of energizing hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline and DHEA to help you face the challenges of the new day. In other words, the adrenal gland hormones increase your resistance to stress and provide the drive and energy to succeed.

The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.

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