Vitamins and Minerals for Reducing Toxic Effects of Alcohol on the Body and Brain

This post is the sixth in a series on non-pharmacologic approaches for managing symptoms related to alcohol and drug abuse and withdrawal and decreasing the risk of relapse. Previous posts commented on evidence for natural supplements, weak electrical current and … Continue reading

Regular Mindfulness Practice Reduces the Risk of Relapse

This is the fifth post in a series on non-pharmacologic approaches for alcohol and drug abuse. Previous posts reviewed the evidence for weak electrical current for managing withdrawal symptoms and herbals and other natural supplements for managing craving and withdrawal … Continue reading

Herbal Medicines and Other Natural Supplements for Drug and Alcohol Abuse and Withdrawal: A Concise Review

This is the fourth installment in a series of posts on non-pharmacologic approaches to alcohol and drug abuse. Previous posts reviewed the evidence for weak electrical current for reducing symptoms of opioid and alcohol withdrawal. This post is offered as a … Continue reading

Cranioelectrotherapy Stimulation for Alcohol and Cocaine Abuse and Withdrawal

Cranioelectrotherapy stimulation (CES) for alcohol and cocaine abuse and withdrawal Numerous studies dating back to the 1970s have investigated the efficacy of weak electrical currents in the treatment a variety of mental health problems including anxiety disorders, depressed mood, insomnia and … Continue reading

Neuroelectric Therapy for Managing Opioid Withdrawal

Urgent need for improved management of opioid withdrawal This is the second post in a series on non-medication approaches for alcohol and drug abuse. Opioid addiction is a public health crisis in the U.S. It is estimated that as many … Continue reading

Alternative and Integrative Treatments of Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Reducing drinking and drug use and withdrawal symptoms without medications This is the first post in a series on alternative and integrative approaches to alcohol and drug abuse. In this post I briefly comment on the limitations of mainstream conventional (pharmacologic … Continue reading

Mixed Findings on Acupuncture for Smoking, Addiction and Insomnia

Acupuncture is not effective for smoking cessation Acupuncture is widely used to treat individuals who wish to stop smoking however findings of most controlled trials on acupuncture for smoking cessation have been negative or equivocal. Three meta-analyses of sham-controlled studies … Continue reading

Acupuncture in Mental Health Care: A Concise Review

Challenges in acupuncture research Acupuncture is widely used in Asian and Western countries to treat diverse mental health problems. Evaluating the clinical efficacy of acupuncture in depressed mood and other mental health problems poses many methodological challenges because of differences … Continue reading

Cranioelectrotherapy Stimulation (CES): An Emerging Therapy in Mental Health Care

How cranioelectrotherapy stimulation works Cranioelectrotherapy stimulation (CES) also called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) or microcurrent electrical stimulation, is based on the application of extremely weak electrical current to the head and neck to treat anxiety, depressed mood, insomnia, and … Continue reading

Alcohol and drug abuse: integrative approaches

Overview Alcohol and nicotine are the most widely abused substances in all countries resulting in untold personal suffering and enormous economic and social costs. A significant percentage of smokers are also alcoholics and also use illegal drugs. Methamphetamine (‘speed’), cocaine … Continue reading