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AddictionsThe term addiction is widely used today to mean a dependency. The dependence can be physical or psychological, but implies a compulsive or habitual need to repeat the experience. Many drugs are addictive, but food can also be addictive. Even tasks can be addictive, including exercise, work and dieting. Once a dependency exists, nutrient deficiencies, hypoglycemia and substances like caffeine and sugar promote intense cravings. These factors cause mood swings and other problems such as insomnia. Excessive alcohol consumption markedly depletes the body of B vitamins. Narcotics reduce the minerals in the body, especially magnesium and calcium. Vitamin C, on the other hand, actually helps combat the toxic effects of drugs. Addictions can be mild or serious. When an addiction becomes severe, it is more important than social acceptance, family, friends, and even life itself. Addictions tend to begin slowly and grow insidiously. The biggest problem in treating addiction is recognizing the problem. Since there is no simple definition, the point where casual use becomes abuse is hazy. Drug and alcohol abuse are the most well-known forms of addiction, yet they still exist in epidemic proportions across the population. Many groups exist to provide support for addicts and their families. Their programs have achieved remarkable success in helping addicts to achieve long-term substance withdrawal. Drug and alcohol addictions are caused by a physical and/or psychological dependence. The physical addiction causes withdrawal symptoms, and the psychological addiction causes the intense cravings. Marijuana, cocaine and LSD dependencies are physical addictions. Alcohol and cigarettes are highly addictive, both physically and psychologically. With habitual use of these substances, tolerance levels increase. More is required to reach the same effect, and yet the damage to the body does not lessen. Food addictions have gained tremendous attention in recent decades due to excessive dieting and the idealization of the perfect figure, causing serious health problems in the younger generations especially. These problems include eating disorders such as yo-yo dieting, anorexia and bulimia. Endorphins released by the brain are thought to be at least partly responsible for the psychologically-addictive anorexia. (Endorphins are "pleasure" chemicals released when conditions become near unbearable, to help the body cope.) Obesity is also caused by addictive behaviors. Personality plays a role in addiction, although to what extent is unknown. Peer pressure, emotional instability and feelings of inadequacy and unhappiness are often evident in addicts. Since teenagers experience many of these emotional hardships, they are particularly vulnerable to substance abuse and eating disorders. The social acceptance of medicinal drugs and alcohol encourages use and dependencies. Today, pharmaceutical drugs of all varieties are widely available to kill pain, induce sleep and lift spirits. Advertisements promise easy solutions to complicated problems. Young women are praised for maintaining slim figures, even if it causes poor health. Supplements and herbsMalnutrition is often coupled with addiction problems and compounds the symptoms of cravings and withdrawal. Supplements can rectify these imbalances. Addicts often lack the B vitamins that are essential for calming the nerves, combating stress and helping to control cravings. Vitamin C is an excellent supplement during withdrawal, and combats the effects of toxins on the body. This vitamin also eases the symptoms of withdrawal, reducing anxiety and improving rest and appetite. Vitamin E has also proven beneficial in reducing the side-effects experienced during withdrawal. Both vitamins C and E help the body to detoxify and are antioxidants which protect the body from free-radical damage. Magnesium is particularly useful for treating addictions where irritability and cramps occur, since this mineral soothes cramps and calms the nervous system. Green food supplements are excellent in assisting recovery from drug and alcohol addictions. Chlorophyll and alfalfa detoxify the blood and provide numerous essential nutrients, including protein and many minerals. The essential fatty acids available in cold pressed flax seed oil and fish oils, and the gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) in evening primrose oil are essential for the body and are needed as a balance, particularly for the nervous system. Bee pollen is also used in addictions as a nourishing food, to provide the body with energy and reduce cravings. Glutamine, an amino acid, is also known as "nature's brain food." Supplementing with glutamine improves mental capacities, helps speed the healing of ulcers, alleviates fatigue and the craving for sugar. It also detoxifies ammonia in the brain and is very effective in the treatment of hypoglycemia. To provide additional support against free-radical damage, the antioxidants, vitamin A, selenium and zinc are also recommended. By supporting and rebuilding the liver, pancreas and adrenal glands, the taste for alcohol, tobacco, caffeine and other drug cravings will eventually subside. Herbs that nourish, strengthen and build the nervous system also provide lasting results.
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