Many alcoholics suffer with dual disorders like gambling or overeating. Frequently, the co-occurring disorder is  Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Many alcoholics switch from alcohol to food after they stop drinking and many often take up gambling.   Not all alcoholics suffer with OCD but more often than not, alcoholics will develop serious compulsive addictions in early recovery. One of the symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder is the presence of either obsessions or compulsions that significantly impaired daily functioning. For many people with this disorder, both symptoms of obsessions and symptoms of compulsions are present. These occur along with some awareness that the thoughts and/or behaviors are excessive, irrational and unreasonable. Obsessions are persisting thoughts that are experienced as intrusive, unwanted and inappropriate. Obsessed thoughts cause significant distress, preoccupation and repetitive efforts to suppress or control them. They are experienced as recurring thoughts that are unreasonable and excessive but beyond one’s control. Obsessions may also be persistent and distressful impulses and mental images.  There is an old saying in AA: “stinking thinking leads to drinking.”  Thoughts that are experienced as intrusive, unwanted and inappropriate ideas. Impulses and mental imagery that are of an obsessional nature also create significant anxiety and preoccupation. This adds to the stress and anxiety of the newly recovered alcoholic as their compulsive behavior turns to another addiction like gambling and/or overeating. OCD may have a genetic cause the same as alcoholism or overeating.  OCD could be caused by chemicals, structural and functional abnormalities in the brain.  Extensive research has supported the idea that an imbalance in the chemical in the brain called serotonin is associated with OCD. Dopamine is another chemical that is produced in our bodies and is just one of the many neurotransmitters in the brain. These neurotransmitters are responsible for communicating information throughout our bodies – information such as emotional responses, pleasure, pain, cognitive skills, movement and impulses. Dopamine is the centre of satisfaction and reward – that makes a lot of sense to someone suffering with OCD, alcoholism and emotional overeating. It is helpful to think of these neurotransmitters as scales; when the neurotransmitters are balanced, then all is well. When they are not in balance, then problems can arise – problems such as OCD and addictive behavior such as alcoholism and emotional overeating. It is most likely that the development of each person’s OCD is the result of several interacting causes and is affected by stressful life events, hormonal changes and personality traits. OCD has been recognized as the fourth most common psychiatric disorder after phobias, substance abuse and major depression. It has been the subject of an explosion of interest and intense investigation by clinicians and researchers and treatment options are becoming more precise and effective. Suffers are typically aware of the irrationally of their compulsive behaviors and obsessive thoughts. They are not able to control the obsessions or effectively limit their intrusiveness. Compulsions mostly develop into highly complex rituals which cause endless frustration and anxiety for the sufferer. Alcohol is used to self-medicate and when that is no longer an option, the OCD sufferer turns to food for comfort. The only way an alcoholic can deal with this dual disorder is to get help from a professional.  Therapy for OCD involves exposure of the sufferer to the situations and objects which trigger their obsessions and then prevention of the compulsive rituals. It includes ways of helping the sufferer to identify the ideas and beliefs associated with OCD and ways to modify them. Achieving success with cognitive behavior therapy requires an experienced and skilled counselor and a client who is motivated to putting in the time and effort required. Changing your thinking to change your feelings to change your behaviour is a daily vigilance and imperative in controlling OCD thoughts and behaviors. Some medications, especially those which affect the serotonin system can help the disorder.  Supplements to help the dopamine neurotransmitter could benefit the alcoholic/addict/emotional overeater by balancing the brain chemistry and relieve the need to search for satisfaction and reward. Glutamine – This amino acid is required for phase two detoxification in the liver and is required in increased amounts by those who consume excessive alcohol. It is able to reduce the craving for alcohol. Glutamine supplementation is helpful for intestinal disorders such as peptic ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Leaky gut is the term used to describe an inflamed condition of the lining of the bowel, which makes the bowel too permeable, so that toxins and incompletely digested food particles can be absorbed from the bowels directly into the liver. This increases the workload of the liver and may cause many health problems. Glutamine is essential for the white cells to fight viruses such as hepatitis B and C. Glutamine is converted in the body into glutamic acid, which, along with the amino acids cysteine and glycine, is converted into the powerful liver protector glutathione. Glutathione is essential for liver phase two conjugation reactions used during detoxification of drugs and toxic chemicals. LivaTone Plus is a natural liver tonic containing the liver herbs St Mary’s Thistle with the benefits of Turmeric and Selenium.  It also contains all the B vitamins and the amino acid Taurine, as well as the antioxidants vitamin C and vitamin E. The LivaTone Plus formula contains the clinically proven dose of silymarin (a daily dose of 420 mg of silymarin). LivaTone Plus is designed to support step one and two detoxification  pathways in the liver, essential in helping the alcoholic’s liver to return to normal. The liver is the main fat burning organ in the body and regulates fat and carbohydrate metabolism. A healthy liver will take fat in the form of cholesterol and pump it via the bile into the intestines where it will be carried away in the bowel actions provided the diet is high in fiber. Tyrosine Mood Food – Tyrosine is a natural amino acid – one of the building blocks of protein.  It is required for the manufacture of the brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) dopamine and noradrenaline.  These neurotransmitters are required for concentration, alertness, memory and a happy, stable mood. Magnesium – the great relaxer. Magnesium plays an essential role in maintaining and promoting efficient muscle function and nerve transmission. Magnesium is a vital mineral for hundreds of cellular enzymes involved in the body’s energy production and metabolism. It is required by the nervous system to regulate the function of nerves and muscles. Magnesium may also assist in the reduction of stress, nervous tension, anxiety and sleeplessness. The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.