Bill Wilson and Bob Smith started Alcoholics Anonymous in 1935. It is not widely known that Bill Wilson actively investigated the biochemical basis of alcoholism. Upon his death, his wife, Lois, wrote a letter about his hopes for continued research in this area.
Her letter was published in a pamphlet, The Vitamin B-3 Therapy: A 3rd Communication to AA’s Physicians. She wrote that her husband, Bill, had become convinced that there was a biochemical connection with alcoholism.
Aldous Huxley, a great admirer of A.A., introduced Bill to two psychiatrists who were researching the biochemistry of alcoholism. Bill was convinced of the truth of their findings and realized he could again help his beloved alcoholics by telling them about the biochemical component of alcoholism.
Bill Wilson’s last years were mainly devoted to the spread of this information among alcoholics and other ill persons. He knew that at the early stages of abstinence, many alcoholics simply aren’t capable of thinking clearly and are too damaged by alcohol to work the 12 Steps.*
As early as 1972, Father Martin, in a now famous Chalk Talk, repeatedly states, “Alcoholism is a physical disease and a biochemical imbalance of the brain.” Now, the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) states that Neuroscience and 30 plus years of research have shown that:
THE MISSING LINK TO ALCOHOL RECOVERY IS BIOCHEMICAL RESTORATION.
If Bill Wilson had lived long enough to carry his message forward, biochemical restoration would now be an accepted and normal part of AA. Unfortunately, this didn’t happen. At ARISE Alcohol Recovery, we incorporate biochemical restoration through the science of Nutritherapy into the treatment program.
* Bill Wilson, A Second Communication to AA Physicians, 1968. Reprinted by the Huxley Institute for Biosocial Research, 900 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL, 33432
Call for help today. 417-380-3254 or 417-894-8501
WHAT IS ALCOHOLISM?
Some people are born with an inherited, genetic DISORDER a biochemical imbalance within the brain some physicians are calling Reward Deficiency Syndrome. If these people never take a drink, they will not become alcoholics. If these people start drinking, they will eventually develop the DISEASE of alcoholism that leads to emotional, mental and spiritual dysfunction. There should be no shame associated with alcoholism, any more than there is with having cancer. Neither of these diseases is caused by environment or upbringing although difficult circumstances can lead to drinking.
ALCOHOLISM IS DUE TO AN IMBALANCE IN BRAIN CHEMISTRY.*
If not treated, alcoholics develop symptoms of mental illness (used to be called “insane”), may be incarcerated, and die 20 years earlier than their normal life span. Approximately 50% of alcoholics die of complications from alcoholism. Alcoholism is a life threatening disease that cannot be controlled or eliminated by will power. Addiction professionals estimate that 1/5000 can quit drinking on their own. Those are not odds worth testing. Professional help is necessary. And, there is good news for alcoholics. When a biochemical treatment program is followed, alcholics can live meaningful, productive, and fulfilling lives without relapse and without unwanted debilitating emotional and mental symptoms.
*American Society of Addiction Management
RECOVERY and RELAPSE
Abstinance alone is not Recovery. When brain chemistry is not treated, dry-drunk symptoms and untreated hypoglycemia will continue to create a difficult life for both the alcoholic and those who live and work with him or her. Cravings, insomnia, anxiety and depression are not relieved. Dependence upon prescription medications to treat these symptoms is not recovery.
Relapse is common if dysfunctional brain chemistry is not corrected. The current recovery rate is only 18%. But, when treatment includes biochemical restoration, the recovery rate jumps up to 85%.
There should be no shame in having the physical disease of alcoholism, any more than having diabetes, polio or rhumatoid arthritis. Education, understanding, compassion and knowledge of treatment is the proper response to this devastating illness, which affects the lives of ten people for every diagnosed alcoholic.
If you, or a loved one, has this disease, there is hope for a sustainable recovery and normal life. Don’t wait. Things will not get better on their own. Call us. We’re here to answer questions and assist you in finding solutions.
417-380-3254 or 417-894-8501
THREE TYPES OF ALCOHOLISM
Three alcohol biotypes have been identified by nutritionist, Dr. Joan Matthews-Larson. One type has a liver enzyme (alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme) and a brain-made endorphin-like chemical (tetrahydroiso-quinolines [THIQs]) which permit the person to metabolize large amounts of alcohol without any negative effects, such as hangovers. These people can drink for years before their body begins to suffer and alcohol addiction is finally recognized.
Another alcoholic biotype is the person who has an allergic/addicted alcohol chemistry. These people are often allergic to wheat which is in many foods. They may also be allergic to dairy and other foods, or to toxic chemicals which are ingested or inhaled. Some people have Candida Related Complex which causes the craving of sugars such as those found in alcohol. These people may also suffer from ADD or ADHD, depression and other disorders.
A third biotype is the person who is unable to metabolize Omega 6, an essential fatty acid commonly found in the diet (peas, beans, nuts and seeds) or they may be lacking the amino acids (proteins) necessary to adequately make certain brain chemicals. These people suffer from depression, anxiety or panic disorders.
A familial history of alcoholism, allergies and depression make a person more predisposed to alcoholism. Alcohol addiction is more prevalent in Celtic, Welsh, Scottish, Scandinavian, and Native American ancestry.
All alcohol dependent people have one thing in common; a biochemical imbalance of their brain and body.
While alcohol seems to help temporarily, it is obviously covering up the real problems by tranquilizing people into temporarily feeling better, until the effect wears off, and another fix is needed. The only way to recover from alcohol addiction is to restore the brain and body chemistry.
During your ARISE Alcohol Recovery rehab program, you will learn about healthy nutrition and receive the nutritional replacement formulas that will correct your chemical imbalances. Alcohol will no longer be needed to medicate your symptoms.
TALK THERAPY CAN’T RESTORE THE BRAIN TO BIOCHEMICAL BALANCE
Take the analogy of your automobile. It needs gas in the tank, oil in the crankcase, air in the tires, and water in the radiator. If these substances are low or missing, your car sputters, jerks, stops, blows steam or falls flat.
Fortunately our bodies are more flexible than an automobile. Our body is a miraculous instrument. It allows us to get away with murder. We can have pain, anxiety, depression and all kinds of ailments and still keep on going but eventually, if we don’t take positive action, we will get sick and die. We are the victim of our own murder. Alcohol dependent people die, on the average, twenty years earlier than they would have if they had not been drinking.
Just as our car needs fuel, oil, air and water, our bodies need specific nutrients, in specific amounts, in order to operate optimally. Alcohol dependent people rarely have good nutrition, and because they are drinking, what nutrition they have is not being metabolized properly. Caffeine, refined sugars and nicotine are often the staple of alcohol dependent people. Without the right amount of vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, amino acids, trace elements and enzymes, the body will not run properly.
Just as the car sputters and coughs, our bodies give us notice of poor nutrition through physical pain, anxiety, cravings, insomnia, mood swings, depression, paranoia, obsessive-compulsive behaviors and lack of concentration, to name just a few symptoms. Often incorrectly thought of as a mental illness, these alcoholic symptoms are the result of poor nutrition and can be rectified.
Talk therapy can not cure the problem of biochemical imbalance in the brain and body. Only proper nutrition and specific amounts of natural food supplements can bring the brain and body back to wholeness and health.
Emotional, mental and spiritual health is dependent upon a healthy brain. Just as the driver of a car may be healthy, vibrant and intelligent, he or she still can’t make the car go without its fuel, oil, water and air. The beautiful human soul is no different. The soul and being of a person cannot work through a body deficient in the vital nutrients so necessary for life.
Through the ARISE and Brainworks programs, you will be relieved of cravings, anxiety, depression, insomnia and many other symptoms eliminating the need for alcohol to medicate these symptoms.
417-380-3254 or 417-894-8501
