Addiction is defined as a chronic disease involving brain circuits related to reward, memory, and motivation. It can involve substance abuse or process addictions like gambling. Alternative treatments for addiction include acupuncture, herbal medicines, vitamins, homeopathy, aromatherapy, meditation, chakra healing, yoga, neurofeedback, exercise, hypnosis, animal therapy, gardening, art therapy, equine therapy, and virtual reality therapy. These aim to reduce withdrawal symptoms, cravings, stress, and support overall mental and physical health in recovery from addiction.

1. A L T E R N A T I V E H E A L T H C A R E P L A N F O R
MADS- 6718,BY- JASPREET DHALIWAL - 1679775

2. WHAT OF ADDICTION ?
• According to American Society of
Addiction Medicine,
Addiction is defined as a chronic disease of
circuit of brain reward, memory and
motivation which leads to physiological,
psychological, social and spiritual
manifestations.
• Addiction is a persistent, compulsive
dependence on a behaviour or a substance.

3. TYPES OF ADDICTION
1. Substance Abuse also known as dependence -
According to WHO, substance abuse is hazardous
continuous use of psychoactive substance
including alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs like
opioids or heroine.
2. Process addiction or Behaviour Addiction-
Compulsive behaviour or a habit forming behaviour that
do not necessarily involve ingesting a substance internally.
It is excessive indulgence in an act like gambling,
compulsive spending, sexual activity, internet overuse,
face book, mobile, over eating, work.

4. CAUSES OF ADDICTION
• Drug chemistry
• Genetic factors
• Social learning
• Availability
• Individual development
• Rebel
• Emotional trauma – breakup, loneliness, stress, frustrations.
• Lack of awareness.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9ZzmoiRxSQ
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZOqh3nqyS0

5. WHY IS THAT BIG DEAL ?
• Substance abuse is cause of 47,000 Canadian deaths. – Health officer’s council of British Columbia.
• The mostly used substance by Ontario students are 58% alcohol, 25% marijuana, 17 % use of non-
prescribed drugs like pain relievers such as Codeine, Percocet, Percodan, Demerol or Tylenol #3, and
11.7% use of tobacco. – (Centre of Addiction and Mental Health, 2014).
• In 2008 study, 23% of 14 year olds and 70% of 17 years old in Saskatchewan drank 5 or more drinks in
2 hours per month. – Department of Health, Government of Saskatchewan.
• Street youth / addicts are 11 times likely to die of drug overdose and suicide. – Public health agency of
Canada.
• Substance abuse costs $ 8 billion to our healthcare system every year. – Canadian centre on Substance
Abuse.
• 40% of illicit drug users are between 15 – 24 years of age. – Statistics Canada.
• In 2007, police reported that drug offenders in Canada reached to its highest point in 30 years. -
Statistics Canada.
• BC bud (marijuana) raised an estimate of $5 billion to $7 billion annually. – Edmonton Journal.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7ZmTvpHyWk
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSlUgMQzCJQ

6. TREATMENT OPTIONS
Conventional treatment
 Psychotherapy – one on one or family session with counselor.
 Self-help groups – this is a group where a patient meets other
addicts going through similar situation and helps boosts
motivation.
 Withdrawal treatments –Few drugs used for this therapy are
Methadone, Naltrexone, Buprenorphine (suboxone) – anti-
heroine drug.

7. ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF TREATMENT
• Acupuncture
The Traditional Chinese Medicine ideology is
stimulating acupuncture points and balancing the
flow of a body energy form called “QI” through
channels known as meridians, it modulates
neurotransmitter and stimulates the endocrine
system resulting in relaxation.
In TCM or Traditional Chinese Medicine is very
helpful in dealing with mental and physical pain
associated with withdrawal symptoms by the Acu-
detox method..

8. HERBAL MEDICINES
Herbs associated with detoxifying and strengthening the liver and digestive tract.
1. Milk Thistle (Silybum Marianum Seed) 2. Goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis
root)
3. Dandelion (Taraxacum Officianale Root)
4. Bupleurum (Radix Bupleurum)

9. HERBAL MEDICINES
Herbs for Relaxing and Strengthening of nervous system and helps relieve withdrawal
symptoms.
• Scull Cap (Scutellaria lateriflora herb)
• Valeriana (Valeriana Officinale Root)
• Passion flower (Passiflora Incarnata blossom)
• Chamomile (Matricaria Recutita blossom)
• Ginkgo (Gingko Biloba leaf)

10. VITAMIN THERAPY
• Vitamin C – Eliminates toxins and reduces
withdrawal symptoms. It is recommended in
buffered form with calcium and magnesium in
dose of 10 grams daily. A dose of 10 grams daily
prevented cravings from returning.
• Selenium – It is an antioxidant helpful in utilisation
of oxygen. Dosage of selenium is 100 mcg daily,
also found in green leafy vegetables and various
herbs like American and Siberian Ginseng.
• Zinc – Addicts have been reported with low zinc
contents in their body causing liver deterioration
and diminished reproductive system, immunity
and skin problems. Safe dose is 15–20 mg per
day.

11. VITAMIN THERAPY
• Chromium – Regulates blood sugar
pattern. Dosage of 100mcg twice daily.
• Acidophilus – Friendly intestinal flora
which helps in food digestion and
control pathogens like yeast, bacteria,
virus and parasites. It can be taken
twice daily, morning and evening.
• NAD ( Nicotinamide adenine
dinucleotide / Niacin ) – coenzyme
derivative of vitamin B3, key agent of
metabolism and helps in major detox.

12. HOMEOPATHY
1. Stramonium & Opium –for illusions during de-
addiction.
2. Lachesis – for violent behaviour.
3. Syphillium & Remedy Sulphur – alcohol cravings.
4. Avena Sativum – for weaning off heroin and
morphine.
5. Plantago & Tobaccum – help in kicking nicotine
habit.
Homeopathy tinctures are also helpful in many

13. AROMATHERAPY
• Essential oils are very helpful in eliminating withdrawal symptoms, and helps in letting go
off addiction.
• Alcohol –Rosemary, basil, Frankincense, Chamomile
• Anxiety – Ylang Ylang and levader oil.
• Caffeine & food - Basil and grapefruit.
• Marijuana – Basil
• Drugs – chamomile and grapefruit essential oil.
• Eating disorder – Grapefruit, Bergamot and Cinnamon.
• Cravings –Grapefruit, Clove, Cinnamon, peppermint and cilantro.
• Porn - Frankincense essential oil.
• Sex – Germanium and Sandalwood essential oil.
• Sugar - grapefruit essential oil.
• Tobacco – Clove, basil and black pepper essential oil.
• Withdrawal symptoms – Marjoram, sandalwood, orange, grapefruit, lavender and citrus
essential oils.

14. MEDITATION/MINDFUL PRACTISE
• Regulates mood, reduces stress
hormone cortisol, boosts up
immune system, and assists body
to detoxify itself of harmful
chemicals.
• Vipassana is a form of meditation
which teaches the mind not to
react to emotions and thoughts
that result in harmful behaviour,
hence helps getting rid of all
negativities – including addiction.

15. CHAKRA HEALING
Crown chakra – mind altering substances.
Third eye chakra – mood altering substances
, caffeine, chocolate.
Throat chakra - smoking, food in general.
Heart chakra – Ecstasy, smoking, sugar,
sweets, wine
Solar plexus chakra – cannabis, cocaine,
caffeine, carbonated beverages, corn based
alcohol & sugars, beer.
Sacral chakra – gluten, wheat, starchy carbs,
grain based alcohol. Chocolate & sexual
dysfunction
Root chakra –heroin, cocaine, alcohol, milk,
meats and fats.

16. STONES & HEALING

17. YOGA
• Yoga meaning ‘union’ in Sanskrit is a
combination of physical postures, breath work
and meditation. It brings body, mind and soul
together in united alignment.
• Yoga helps relieve stress, anxiety and
depression.
• It helps addicts to make an informed and aware
choice of change, get rid of toxins and cravings.

18. NEURO FEEDBACK
• It is a process in which EEG sensors
attached to patient’s head send the
brain’s activity waves back to the
computer.
• Patient can alter these brain waves
impacting its frequency directly.
• It can help decrease or increase state of
arousal or depression by changing
frequencies of the brain waves.

19. EXERCISE
• Helps boosts energy.
• Brings natural high in the beginning of the
day.
• It also improves circulatory, pulmonary and
endocrine systems of the body.
• Improves oxygen and nutrient delivery and
boosts metabolism.
• Also enhances brain activity.

20. HYPNOSIS
• Hypnosis is a process of deep insight of oneself.
• Hypnosis reduces “denial effect”.
• Hypnosis is very helpful in the early stages of
addiction and the recovery phase.
• Along with imagery, hypnosis can help remove
physical barriers of treatment like withdrawal
symptoms.
• Relieves anxiety, pain, muscle tension, spasm.
• Ultimate relaxation.

21. ANIMAL/PET THERAPY
• Animal assisted therapy is very beneficial in
acute and chronic illness.
• Increased production of beta-endorphins (pain
relieving chemical).
• Reduced negative feelings like anger, pain,
stress, anxiety, hostility, hatred.
• Improves mood, happiness, trust, self-belief,.
• Feeling of empowerment, self-esteem, love,
patience and improve social functioning.

22. GARDENING & HORTICULTURE
• Very helpful in the process of recovery.
• Gap is created by leaving old lifestyle, old friends
and substance abuse.
• Can be filled by activities like
gardening/horticulture and art based therapy.
• These are really helpful in getting the person
engaged.

23. ART BASED THERAPY
• Creative art based process to explore the feelings.
• Reconcile emotional conflicts.
• Foster self awareness & self esteem.
• Manage behaviour and addiction
• Improve social skills.
• Add reality orientation.
• Reduces anxiety and depression.

24. VIRTUAL BASED THERAPY
• Same scenario is created in which patient usually
indulge himself in drug and allow him not to
choose for drug.
• based on the concept of facing the virtual truth.
• therapist becomes the role player and replays the
whole circumstances and the addict chooses not
to use.
• This is high self-control technique.

25. EQUINE THERAPY
• This is a outdoor therapy involving
interaction with horses.
• initially started for physical problems or
dealing with developmental issues.
• beneficial in problems like depression and
anxiety.
• instantly uplifts moods, builds self-esteem,
trust and confidence.

26. CONCLUSION
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao8L-0nSYzg

27. REFERENCES
• http://www.omicsonline.org/addiction-research-therapy.php
• http://www.ascpjournal.org/about
• http://www.asam.org/for-the-public/definition-of-addiction
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3134413/
• http://www.healthy.net/Health/Article/Natural_Medicine_For_The_Recovering_Addict/903
• http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/teaching-packets/neurobiology-drug-
addiction/section-ii-reward-pathway-addiction/1-reward-pathway-addiction
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxHNxmJv2bQ
• http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/addiction
• http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-abuse-addiction
• http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/csj-sjc/jsp-sjp/qa02_2-qr02_2/p2.html
• http://www.camh.ca/en/hospital/about_camh/newsroom/for_reporters/Pages/addictionment
alhealthstatistics.aspx

28. REFERENCES
• http://www.teenchallenge.ca/get-help/canadian-drug-crisis
• http://www.drugs.com/oxycodone.html
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2901107/
• http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/addiction/treatment-for-
addiction.php
• https://www.thefix.com/content/therapies-outside-box?page=all
• http://www.addictionrecoveryguide.org/holistic/animal_pet_therapy
• http://www.biosourcenaturals.com/essential-oils-for-addictions.htm
• http://motherboard.vice.com/read/virtual-reality-is-being-used-to-treat-
heroin-addiction
• https://hippyhealing.wordpress.com/2013/11/06/chakras-and-addiction/
• http://vitalitymagazine.com/article/homeopathic-medicine-for-addiction-to-
drugs-alcohol-and-more/