Is it possible to instill a sense of self-worth/self-esteem in someone who has been heavily reliant on drugs and alcohol for months or even years? The answer is resounding YES! Alcoholics and addicts propel themselves through life on confidence, which is a learned skill, and ego, which is often over-inflated, aggressive or defensive. Self-esteem/self-worth is non-existent.  You can’t pick whether a functional alcoholic or addict has a healthy self-esteem or self-worth.  Only the drug addict/alcoholic, knows deep down in their soul the answer to that question. If you really knew me, would you still like me? That question lies deep in their heart and they are not going to break down and tell you that they don’t like what is looking back at them in the mirror in the morning. “Who then can so softly bind up the wounds of another as he who has felt the same wounds himself” Thomas Jefferson Reaching out to AA, or DAA and finding yourself guided by one who has walked a similar path means you are no longer alone. Alcoholism and Drug Addiction is a legacy of dysfunctional brain chemistry and an allergic reaction to the victim’s drug of choice.  It is imperative that their brain chemistry is balanced before any type of recovery can take place. It is essential that the still sick and suffering alcoholic/drug addict accepts that they are powerless over their addiction and that they are unable to accept life on life’s terms without their crutch. Balance their brain chemistry and that’s a start.  Then there is the three-way argument going on in their head. If they get inside their head for too long, they are behind enemy lines – it’s dangerous inside their head with the child, the teenager and the adult, all vying for attention.  The child that has been emotionally bruised and battered and sometimes physical scars remain but emotional scars are the ones that do the most damage. Someone owes me a childhood? The rebellious teenager jumps behind the wheel of a car and his dopamine levels are screaming out for that adrenaline rush. The young, lonely and often alienated young adult tries to assimilate into the “grown up” world of knowledgeable people. It’s all too hard, I’m too stupid and too damn tried to keep trying to be someone I’m not. Does that sound like you? Alcoholics and drug addicts are born with a brain chemistry that predisposes them to their drug of choice.  Provided a suitable environment where alcohol is available plus the opportunity and motive to begin drinking, and the disease may start to develop. The course is well charted: it is downhill all the way. The symptoms are so well known that it is relatively easy to diagnose whether someone is in the early, middle or late stages of alcoholism. The outcome is equally predictable: for those who do not stop, death is inevitable. For those who fully accept that they have the disease of alcoholism, the first step of building self-esteem is made easier. If individuals have a disease, and part of this disease is loss of contact with reality, loss of control of ability to think rationally and to make sensible decisions, then many of the crazy things that have been done were part of that disease. If part of this disease is loss of control over intake of alcohol or drugs, then alcoholics or drug addicts are not necessarily weak-willed immoral creatures who lack the motivation to stop drinking or drugging. If the physical compulsion to drink or drug is caused by a drug manufactured in our brains, then that provides an explanation for their obsession with alcohol and drugs. No longer need they feel guilty or ashamed of past excesses and violations of others’ rights and feelings.  There is light at the end of the tunnel and it’s not another damn train coming.   I recommend amino acids to help balance brain chemistry and a good liver tonic to help repair liver damage. Specific amino acids are essential for the liver to breakdown toxins and drugs and also for efficient metabolism in the liver. L-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 N-Acetyl-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 is a natural liver tonic containing the liver herbs St Mary’s Thistle, Globe Artichoke and Dandelion, combined with the amino acid Taurine, and Lecithin. It also contains natural sources of Chlorophyll, Carotenoids and fiber. It is available in both capsule and powder form. 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.