Addiction to Alcohol/post detox

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Expert: - 2/14/2005


Question
Hi - we have an elderly family member that has just completed five days of detox (from alcohol).  She went through detox at a regular hospital due to a fall.  The hospital followed the proper detox protocol. But now my family has several questions about her ongoing care that we aren't too sure about. she has been drinking heavily for over 40 years and is now showing signs of Wernicke syndrome and she is malnourished.  She is getting physical therapy and is aware that she cannot drink anymore (we will get her to support groups too).  My family wants to make sure she is getting the proper nutrition and we don't know who to talk to b/c most PCP's are not familiar with this situation and are suggesting just a multi-vitamin.  How many mg's of thiamine should we give her now (she's getting 100 /day) - do we continue that or go higher and for how long?  Are there any other vitamins / nutrients that we should increase (above a multivitamin)?   thanks for your time  

Answer
Hi Karen,

That must be a difficult position you are in. Detoxing is only part of overall treatment for alcoholism. Alcoholism is really a disease of energy production.

If that sounds complicated please read;

"Why hypoglycemics choose alcohols as their preferred choice of energy": at:

http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/hypos_prefer_alcohol.html

Most alcoholics are hypoglycemic, therefore the treatment MUST include a hypoglycemic diet.

The body needs time to get used to a natural diet. Please read:

"What is Hypoglycemia?"

and

"The Hypoglycemic diet".

Also we have a article about

"Nutrients against Drugs and Alcohol" at:

http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/news/hyponl1992_09.pdf

Go to page 2 of Newsletter.

THis will help her adjust to a more natuarl diet.

If she has severe cravings I suggest that she takes glycerine. Please search our web site for "Glycerine".

I feel the best way of helping your family member is to get the assistance of a naturopath, or a Clinical Nutritionist or a doctor familiar with nutrition.

Jurriaan Plesman, BA(Psych), Post Grad. Dip. Clin. Nutr.
For more articles see free web site at
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au

Addiction to Alcohol

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Jurriaan Plesman, Nutritional Psychotherapist

Expertise

I have a degree in Psychology from the Sydney University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Nutrition. I am also the author of “GETTING OFF THE HOOK” which deals with the nutritional and psychological treatment of personality disorders. It is freely available on the internet at Google Book Search. I am interested in the relationship between nutrition and behaviour, and as a Probation ans Parole Officer facilitated groups for offenders, many of whom were alcoholics and drug addicts, sex offenders or compulsive gamblers, as well as the whole gamut of “personality disorders”. I am also the ex-editor of the Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia Newsletter, a quarterly publication dealing with hypoglycemia and related health problems. Its web site, together with a shortened course of PSYCHOTHERAPY can be visited at: http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au

Experience

Nutritional Psychotherapy

Organizations
The Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia

Publications
Book: "Getting Off the Hook"freely available on the internet at Google Book Search.
Editor: Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au

Education/Credentials
BA(Psych), Sydney University, Post Grad Dip Clin Nutr (International Academy of Nutrition)

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