Addiction

Addiction refers to the habitual and constant use of a drug or substance despite harm or negative effects. Other non-substance addictions are called Behavioral Addictions and may include Food addiction, Sex addition, addiction to playing games or shopping etc.
As in modern times, addiction has long been an issue in many cultures, and as with today, many of the most used addictive substances are or have been medicines.
Symptoms maybe include ignoring normal healthy routines such as eating and sleep, behavioral changes, mood swings, erratic behavior etc. Manifestations vary depending on the substance of addiction.
Major substances of addiction:

• Tobacco
• Alcohol
• Opiates (Morphine, Methodone, Heroin, Fentanyl, Opium etc.)
• Betel nut
• Cocaine
• Amphetamine, Methamphetamine
• Benzodiazepines

Primary methods of Treatment
Treatment again depends on the drug. In general, removal from factors that support the addiction, such as friends, environment, social habits etc.
In most cases a substance can be stopped and treatment can be given to treat the withdrawal symptoms which may be over days or weeks. Counseling, psychotherapy, exercise, meditation, hypnotherapy are all useful interventions.
In Traditional medicine, various treatments have been used for addiction. In Traditional texts, Opium addiction was most commonly recognised, and certain herbs were viewed as effective to either help break the addiction, or to recover health following addiction.
Herbs for addiction
Herbs used for addiction may either have a direct effect against the drug or substance, or else may work to calm the mind and spirit to settle the effects of withdrawal. Some drugs are Opiate antagonists, for example. Also worthy of mention are the Exhilarative medicines of the Western tradition. These medicines naturally promote a sense of wellbeing and can therefore be very useful in addiction withdrawal.
To help against Addiction
Balm, Corydalus Yan Hu Suo, Ginseng, Kava, Nux Vomica, Saffron, St. Johns wort, Withania, Valerian
Opium / Opiates
Asafetida, Avena, Barberry, Cannabis, Corydalus Yan Hu Suo, Cotton seed, Datura, Delphinium denudatum, Doronicum, Feverfew, Gelsemium, Ginseng, Gymnema, Kava, Mexican Poppy, Oregano, Red Poppy, Rose, Rosemary, Silybum, Squill, St. John’s wort, Water Plantain (Ze Xie)
1. Doronicum: for those who have ‘taken too much Opium’. (Schroder)
2. Squill for ‘imprudent use of Opium’. (Culpeper)
3. Water Plantain: for ‘such as have drank Opium’. (Dioscorides)
4. Feverfew: ‘Special remedy against the overuse of Opium’ (Culpeper)
Alcohol
Dandelion, Gelsemium, Gymnema, Ginseng, Kava, Licorice, Milk Thistle, Pueraiae Ge Gen, Salvia miltiorrhiza Dan Shen, Scutellaria Huang Qin. St. John’s wort
Cocaine
Kava
Benzodiazepines
Corydalus Yan Hu Suo, Valerian
Amphetamines
Kava, Passion flower, Uncaria Gou Teng, Valerian
Tobacco
Avena, Coltsfoot, Kava, St. John’s wort
1. Corydalis Yan Hu Suo helps prevent relapse into chronic drug dependence.
2. Cayenne pepper has been shown to mitigate withdrawal
3. Calamus is regarded as useful for the harmful effects of narcotic use on the brain and nervous system.
Other Treatment:
1. Acupuncture has shown benefit in Opium / Opiate withdrawal, but had poor efficacy against alcohol and tobacco addiction.
2. The Ear acupoint “Shen Men” (Spirit Gate) is effective to relieve mild symptoms of withdrawal, and the associated anxiety and insomnia.
3. Purging can be useful in those with excess / Heat-type constitution.

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Formulas
Letificans
Requies (Nicholas)
Aloeswood 35 (Tibetan)
Melancholy
Indian Pills
Confectio Hamech

Chinese Classification
Simples

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Formulas
Liver Heat
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (as a powder)
Spleen Deficiency
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Gui Pi Tang
Insomnia, Restlessness (Heart Deficiency)
Tian Wan Bu Xin Dan
Emotional, Anxious (Liver Qi Stagnation)
Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San

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Special Formula
Opium habit
  Bayberry root-bark  16 parts
  Ginger  8 parts
  Capsicum  1  parts
Powder, mix. This is said to have been effective.
General for Addiction and Withdrawal
i.   St. Johns wort
  Balm
  Wormwood
  Calamus
  Cyperus rotundus
  Orange peel
Prepare an infusion from equal parts and drink throughout the day.
For Liver Heat
i.   Gentian
  Camomile
  Balm
Prepare an Infusion
ii.  Gentian
  Coptis
  Gardenia Zhi Zi
  Rhubarb, equal parts
Prepare a powder, take half teaspoon once or twice daily, morning and/or night.
Withdrawal with Anxiety and Sleeplessness
i.   Camomile
  Balm
  Valerian
  Rose, equal parts
Prepare an Infusion.
ii.  Aloeswood
  Indian Spikenard
  Calamus
  Frankincense
  Nutmeg, equal parts
Prepare a powder. Take 1–2 grams, 2–3 times daily.
Stronger to Calm the Mind and Spirit
  Rose  3 parts
  Sandalwood
  Pearl
  Amber   1 part ea.
Powder. Take 2 grams three times daily for several days.
Nourish the Heart and Calm the Spirit
i.   Silkworm Cocoon
  Ginseng
  Calamus
  Pearl
ii.  Rose
  Sandalwood
  Cinnamon
  Saffron
  Amber
  Red Coral
Purge for Excess Heat, Anger, Irritation
i.   Rhubarb   5 grams
  Indian Spikenard 
  Rose  3 grams ea.
  Mastic
  Nutmeg  1 gram ea.
ii.  Aloe   5 grams
  Gentian  4 grams
  Rose   3 grams
  Mastic  2 grams
  Licorice  1 gram
Depression, Melancholy, Dark thoughts
  Aloe  10 grams
  Senna 
  Black Myrobalan   5 grams ea.
  Lapis Lazuli, prep.  2.5 grams
  Mastic  
  Saffron  1 gram
Form pills the size of a Pea. Take one each night for 5 days.
Opiate / Heroin addiction
i. Poppy seed tea can be used to take the “edge off”. Many people have found this useful in recent years. Washed Poppy seed can be used which has much lower opiate levels. Unwashed Poppy seed can be used initially, slowly progressing to washed Poppy seed.
ii.   Barberry bark
  Feverfew
  Corydalis Yan Hu Suo equal parts
Powder. Take half teaspoon every hour until 5 or 6 doses, then 3 or more times daily.
iii.  Kava
  California Poppy
  Agnus Castus
  Vervain
  Avena sativa
(a formula of Donna Odierna from H.E.A.L.T.H. needle exchange in Oakland, California)

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