Alcohol Addiction Advice

This information is not intended to replace appropriate professional advice. Please check with your pharmacist if you take prescription drugs.

Many people who struggle with addiction have family history.  There is no one to blame, especially not yourself.  You can be the one to break the vicious cycle and set yourself free.

Find a hero who has been down the same path – Sean McCann, former singer with Great Big Sea, shares his journey and offers encouragement and inspiration to others online.  You are not alone - you may be surprised how many people share your struggle.

Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous provide support for millions of people worldwide. There are meeting both online and in person. Having a sponsor who understands your struggles can make all the difference in the early days of abstinence. 

An Alkaline Diet – Plays a significant role in your ability to cope with changes

• 7-10 glasses of filtered or spring water.  Avoid chlorine.
• Organic foods are the safest way to nourish yourself – a good investment!
• Consume a diet that is 75-80% alkaline forming.  A chart is available.
• Make antioxidant rich fruits, vegetables, raw seeds and nuts, beans, legumes, and whole grains the mainstays of your diet.  Avoid wheat unless sprouted.
• Eat heavy proteins no later than lunch for better digestion of amino acids.
• Consume 1-3 tbsp of ground flax, hemp or chia seeds.
• Fermented foods promote digestion and mental wellness.
• Indulge in a small “comfort” sweet a few times a day to reduce cravings.

Supplements - elevate nutrition from adequate to optimum

• *Bio-Strath is a wholefood tonic that provides the essential nutrients depleted by alcohol consumption. It reduces stress, corrects pH, and speeds recovery. 
• Vitamin C – anti-inflammatory, reduces anxiety, and fatigue.
• Vitamin D 8,000 IU for one month then reduce to upper limit of 4,000 IU daily - anti-inflammatory, combats depression and anxiety.
• Magnesium 200-800 mg daily reduces withdrawal symptoms, improves sleep, and promotes a feeling of calm and wellbeing. 
• Omega 3 fatty acids – for brain, joint, heart, and digestive health.
• Probiotics – intermittent use – digestion, mood, pH balance, immune function.

*Bio-Strath is used by more staff than any other product at Jo Anne’s Place. 

Special care during recovery

The following remedies have all proven useful.  They can be used on their own or in combination. See what works best for you.

• Glutamine - reduces alcohol cravings and withdrawal symptoms. 
• Cayenne reduces alcohol cravings.  Use as a culinary spice or supplement.
• Holy Basil tea lowers cortisol, promotes well-being, and alleviates depression.
• St John’s Wort – increases serotonin, the feel good hormone.
• Passionflower promotes overall calm, relieves tension and insomnia.
• Homeopathic Rescue Remedy can help cope with cravings in the moment.
• Umeboshi plum prepared as a tea can help restore even a severely damaged liver.

Other Suggestions

• Enjoy fresh air and exercise.  The Earth emits a negatively charged ionic field that promotes balance at subtle levels that’s good for our bodies and psyches.  Breathe deeply, exhale thoroughly!
• You have the courage to face the fact that you are not happy - time to figure out what makes you happy.  Keep a journal to honour your feelings.  Celebrate the wins 😊
• Create a mantra to remind yourself several times a day of your worth. As you cultivate feelings of self-love & respect the desire for anything harmful will fade. 
• Recovering from alcohol addiction, or any other illness, is a dynamic process. Don’t focus on what you’re running from but what you’re pushing toward – getting your life back. Good health happens by design, not by accident!
• There are lots of non-alcoholic swaps for alcoholic drinks. For example, kombucha is a great alternative for beer as it is also fermented. Mocktails, alcohol-free beer, and adaptogenic drinks are also great. Here are recipes for some functional mocktails!
• In summary: Alkalize, detoxify, and renew. Rough patches can either paralyze or galvanize. Look down the road. Where's it leading for you? We are all building our tomorrow today!

*Revised December 2024