Holistic Tips On Addictions
        By Lisa S. Lawless, Ph.D., Holistic Wisdom C.E.O.

An addiction can be defined as an overwhelming craving for a substance or behavior. It is usually most associated with drugs, alcohol, and nicotine. However there are many people addicted to food, work, sex, and other "non-drug" activities. Holistic therapy embraces the concept that an addiction impacts us within our mind, body, and spirit, not just mentally or physically.

It is important to understand that addictions to anything stem from a much deeper cause then just a deep yearning for the substance or activity. The addiction begins with an emotional pain or discomfort within us that needs to be comforted or that you desire to escape from, rather than coming to terms with what is truly ailing you.

Sometimes this emotional pain is unconscious and it is difficult to even comprehend what is driving our behaviors. Yet it is important to get in touch with our pain to allow it to heal. It does not mean that we have to trace our addiction back to age four, when our father yelled at us, or at age seven when a class mate made fun of us. Usually an addiction is not based on one painful event, but a string of many, that we have shoved deep within us. The way we learn to cope with pain is as important, if not more important than the pain itself.

If we grew up believing that we needed to smile when we were sad, or say "I'm great," when we weren't, or simply deny our pain or sorrow completely... then we were well on our way to a life of being dishonest to ourselves as well as others. When we can be true to our emotions, and honor them my allowing them to surface, then we further the opportunity to nurture ourselves through healthy coping that enhance our growth.

Addictions are truly overwhelming, and one of the best things that one can do to heal an addiction is to seek support. Making your addiction "real" through acknowledging it and being vulnerable to a compassionate person who can provide you with support during your healing process is a very powerful tool. Whether you seek holistic counseling, or if you simply reach out to a friend, or local support group. Remember you are not alone... there are many people going through similar pain and the same addictive behavior.

Please note that addictions to physical substances such as drugs and alcohol should always be treated first by a registered medical physician. Serious physical problems must be treated immediately.

In addition to support here are some herbal remedies that may be helpful-

Chinese Herbalism:
~ Alcoholism: excess "heat" within the body can be cleared from the lung and liver with
   watermelon, or kudzu.
~ Drugs & Alcoholism: green tea assist in healing the damage done to the liver.
~ Food Addiction: Spleen dysfunction requires cutting back on dairy, carbohydrates,
   and sugar. Lightly steaming vegetables, and eating whole grains will assist with
   excess "phlegm."

Herbalism:
~ Oats: will calm you and assist with will power.
~ Skullcap & Valerian: calm the nervous system and will assist with withdrawal
   symptoms.
~ Cramp bark: aides in nervous tension and jitters.

Aromatherapy:
~ Antidepressant oils include: chamomile, clary sage, ylang, ylang, and rose.

Flower Essences:
~ Crab apple: for purification
~ Gorse: For being stuck in a negative pattern
~ Mustard: for depression with an unknown cause
~ Olive: particularly good for recovery from drugs and alcohol

Vitamins & Minerals:
~ Vitamin B: especially with alcoholism
~ Amino Acids: especially with alcoholism
~ Primrose Oil: Provides GLA (gammalinolenic acid) to assist with mood swings.

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