Homeopathy for drug addiction or substance use disorders | HOMEOPATHY FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER OR DRUG ADDICTION

This definition conceptualizes “drug” in a very broad way, including not only the medications but also the other pharmacologically active substances. According to WHO, a drug is any substance that, when taken into a living organism, may modify one or more of its functions.

The terms “drug abuse,” “drug dependence,” “harmful use,” and “misuse,” as well as “psychoactive substance use disorders,” have replaced the terms “drug addiction” and “drug addict,” which were eliminated from scientific usage due to their negative connotations.

Substance use disorders can be categorized into four key patterns, some of which may overlap.

· Acute intoxication

· Withdrawal state

· Dependence syndrome

· Harmful use

Acute intoxication

Acute intoxication is defined by the ICD-10 as a temporary state that occurs after the administration of alcohol or another psychoactive substance and is characterized by disturbances in consciousness, cognition, perception, affect, and behavior, as well as other psychophysiological functions and responses.

The intensity of intoxication lessens over time, and effects eventually vanish in the absence of further use of the substance, so the recovery is complete, except where tissue damage or another complication has occurred in some cases where the threshold is low due to a serious medical illness such as chronic renal failure or idiosyncratic sensitivity.

If there were any complications related to the acute intoxication, they can be indicated using the following codes.

Simple (variable severity symptoms that are typically dose-dependent, especially at high dose levels.

In the presence of physical harm or trauma

In addition to these health issues, patients may also experience hematemesis or vomit inhalation.

· With delirium

· With perceptual distortions

· With coma

· With convulsions

Only when drinking alcohol, pathological intoxication

Withdrawal state

A cluster of symptoms known as a withdrawal state, which typically lasts a few hours to a few days, is characterized by the total or partial withdrawal of a drug, typically following repeated and/or high-dose use.

Most of the time, the patient claims that continuing their drug use helps to lessen their withdrawal symptoms.

Additional categories for the withdrawal state include:

· Uncomplicated

· With complications

· With delirium

Dependence syndrome

The dependence syndrome, as defined by the ICD-10, is a collection of physiological, behavioral, and cognitive phenomena in which the use of a substance or a class of substances becomes significantly more important to a particular person than other behaviors that were previously more important.

There may be evidence that return to substance use after a period of abstinence leads to a more rapid appearance of other features of the syndrome than occurs in non-dependent people, with the desire to take psychoactive substances (which may or may not have been medically prescribed), alcohol, or tobacco serving as a central descriptive characteristic of the dependence syndrome.

Only if at least three of the following have occurred during the previous year should a definitive diagnosis of dependence typically be made.

Strong yearning or sense ofcompulsionto take the substance.

·Difficulties in controllingthe use of substances in terms of when it starts, when it stops, or how much.

· A physiologicalwithdrawal statewhen the use of the substance has stopped or reduced, as shown by the withdrawal symptoms that are typical for it; or when the same substance (or one that is closely related) is used with the goal of easing or avoiding withdrawal symptoms.

· Evidence oftolerance,so that higher doses of the psychoactive substance are needed to produce the same effects that were first seen at lower doses (clear examples of this can be seen in alcoholics and opiate addicts, who may regularly consume doses that would render non-tolerant users unconscious or dead).

· Progressiveneglectincreased time required to obtain, use, or recover from the substance, or lack of alternative pleasures or interests as a result of using psychoactive substances.

·PersistingAttempts should be made to establish that the user was actually, or could reasonably be expected to be aware of, the nature and extent of the harm when using substances despite obvious evidence of overtly harmful consequences, such as liver damage from excessive drinking, depressive mood states caused by periods of heavy substance use, or drug-related impairment of cognitive functioning.

A characteristic aspect of the dependence syndrome has also been described as a narrowing of the user’s personal repertoire of psychoactive substance use patterns (e.g., a propensity to drink the same way on the weekends and during the week, regardless of social norms governing acceptable drinking behavior).

The following ICD-10 codes are also applicable to the dependence syndrome:

· Currently abstinent.

Currently abstinent, but in a secure setting (for example, a hospital, a rehab center, a prison, etc.).

Are currently undergoing a maintenance or replacement program under the supervision of a clinician (controlled dependence, such as using methadone, nicotine patches, gum, or an inhaler).

Are currently abstinent but are being treated with naltrexone or disulfiram, two aversive or blocking medications.

Utilizing the drug at the moment (active dependence).

· Continuous use.

· Episodic use (dispsomania).

A physical, psychological, or both types of dependence may exist.

Harmful use

When used negatively, a person may:

Consistent drug use in spite of knowledge of a drug’s potentially harmful medical and/or social effects; or

Consistently using drugs in a physically risky way, like while driving drunk.

Harmful use is not diagnosed if a dependence syndrome is present.DSM-1V-TR instead refers to the condition as substance abuse, with minor variations in description. The diagnosis requires that the user’s actual health, either mental or physical, should have been damaged.

Amnesic syndrome, residual and late-onset (delayed onset) psychotic disorder, psychotic disorder, and amnesic disorder are some of the other syndromes connected to the use of psychoactive substances in the ICD-10.

Psychoactive substances

The principal drugs that cause dependence are:

· Alcohol

Opioids, including heroin and opium.

· Cannabinoids, e.g., cannabis

· Cocaine

· Amphetamine and other sympathomimetics

LSD and phencyclidine (PCP), among other hallucinogens

Hypnotics and sedatives, such as barbiturates

Inhalants, such as solvents that are volatile

· Nicotine

Additional stimulants, such as caffeine

Causes

The causes of substance use disorders include the following:

A. Biological

Genetic predisposition (family history of substance use disorder, such as type 11 alcoholism)

personality disorder or a co-occurring mental illness

· Co-morbid medical disorders

The effects of drugs are reinforced (which explains why people keep using drugs).

Cravings and withdrawal symptoms (which explain why drug use continues)

Biochemical factors, such as the role of dopamine and norepinephrine in drug dependence on cocaine, alcohol, and opioids

B. Psychological factors

Inquisitiveness and the desire for novelty

A general disposition toward disobedience and social outcasting

Use of tobacco and alcohol before age 18

· Poor impulse control

· Sensation-seeking (high)

· Low self-esteem

· Concerns regarding personal autonomy

· Poor stress management skills

· Childhood trauma or loss

An end to boredom or fatigue

· Escape from reality

Disengagement from traditional objectives

· Psychological distress

C. Social factors

Peer pressure, which is frequently more crucial than parental influences.

Modeling (copying the actions of significant others)

Alcohol and drugs are easily accessible.

Stringent enforcement of drug laws

· Intrafamilial conflicts

· Religious reasons

· Poor social/familial support

Within the family, there is “perceived distance”

· Permissive social attitudes

· Rapid urbanization

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

When it comes to substance use disorder, there are many effective medicines available in homoeopathy, but the selection depends on the patient’s individuality, taking into account the mental and physical health of the patient. Homoeopathy is a growing system that is practiced throughout the world. Its strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual by promotion of inner balance at mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical levels.

AVENA SATIVA

One of the best treatments for drug addiction is avena sativa, which also works well for those who are addicted to cocaine, marijuana, nerviness, tranquilizers, or sedatives. It is also effective for those who are suffering from insomnia brought on by drugs or alcohol, as well as from nervous exhaustion and weakness.

NUX VOMICA

The patient is anxious and extremely irritable, has a headache and feels intoxicated, among other symptoms such as dyspepsia, nausea and vomiting, constipation, and dyspepsia. Nux vomica is effective for counteracting the negative effects of alcohol, tobacco, opium, coffee, wine, and other drugs.

MORPHINUM

Morphine is used to treat the negative side effects of drug abuse, including depressed mood, dream-like behavior, vertigo and dizziness with the smallest head movement, pallid or dusky skin color, lividity of the lips, tongue, mouth, or throat, violent throbbing in the heart and carotids, and alternation between tachycardia and bradycardia.

COFFEA

Coffea reverses the negative effects of sleeping pills. Severe insomnia brought on by drug addiction. Hyperactivity of the mind and body. Increased sensibility of nerves, making them excessively excitable and sensitive. Special senses become overacute. Emotions, particularly joy and pleasant surprise, produce dangerous symptoms.

CANNABIS INDICA

Emotions and sensations are exaggerated, there is a constant worry about going insane, terror of the dark, and there is forgetfulness and absentmindedness.

BELLADONNA

Addiction to drugs causes a person to experience hallucinations, see monsters, and see ghosts, as well as a fear of the dark and a ghostly vision, as well as a desire to hide or run away and spit on other people’s faces when they get angry.

HYOSYAMUS NIGER

Hallucinations are most noticeable, along with a headache from drug addiction, a tendency to laugh at everything, and a variety of bizarre behaviors such as laughing, singing, talking, babble-ing, and fighting.

SULPHUR

Cannabis addicts who take sulphur express sadness and melancholy and imagine themselves to be great men. Sulphur patients also have a strong impulsive tendency to commit suicide by jumping out of windows or drowning.

LACHESIS

The patient has a narcotic addiction headache, is very talkative, feels tense in different places, and cannot stand anything that is too tight. The patient also feels as though their head, throat, and abdomen are being constricted.

PULSATILLA NIGRICANS

Changeable stools, with no two stools being the same due to a heroin addiction.

PASSIFLORA INCARNATA

Administer mother tincture doses for morphine addiction to treat sleeplessness brought on by drug use.

OPIUM

Drug addiction causes drowsiness and a state of coma in which the patient experiences perversion of all senses, an euphoric state, excessive excitement, and insomnia. He believes he is not at home and experiences frightening visions of mice and scorpions.

VIPERA

injectable medication to treat drug addiction.