The initial part of the treatment is to constantly confront them of their vulnerability to alcohol as an escape of their feelings of hurt, anger, fear and etcs. This step to help them realize what they are doing are destructive to themselves rather than finding excuses. This may take 3-6 months before their efforts to rebuild their denial system taper off. But this could be the dangerous time that they may drop out of AA or back out of treatment.
From Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) psychophysiological perspective:
Spleen – relates to the ability to assimilate, stabilize, and feel balanced and centered.
Liver – is the home of the ethereal soul. It relates to decisiveness, control, and the principle of emergence; and reflects emotional harmony and movement; and expresses itself in the nervous system.
Gall Bladder – is the source of courage and initiative, and is responsible for decision-making as the bodily Minister of Justice.
Kidneys – houses the will. Expresses ambition and focus. It displays the effects of dissipation, chronic degenerative processes, and extreme stress.
The combination of acupuncture and herbal treatments could tap in to help work on their underlying emotional issues and their physical symptoms to help with during the process of fighting off the addiction.
Affirmation:
- I live in the now
- Each moment is new
- I choose to see my self-worth
- I love and approve of myself
- One day at a time
- Easy does it
Dietary guidelines:
- Increase foods that cool the blood and clear heat in the blood, soothe the circulation in the liver
- Beets and beet tops
- Bamboo shoots, spinach, white mushrooms
- Banana, grapefruit, mulberry, persimmon, strawberry, apple
- Arrowroot tea - helps to clear alcohol out of the system and eliminates the desire for it.
- Avoid fried foods, fatty foods, rich foods, chocolate, nuts, coffee, alcohol, sugar and sweet foods, simple carbohydrates, smoking, stress, constipation, hot foods, chili, spicy foods, dried fruits, fruit juices