"Tim Bruening" <tsbrueni@pop.dcn.davis.ca.us> wrote in message
news:47C288FC.85C324CA@pop.dcn.davis.ca.us...
> Last night, I visited a "Wellness answers by health notes" kiosk at my
> local Longs Drugs store, right next to the pharmacy station inside the
> store. I touched the "Health Conditions" box with my finger, then
> touched the words "Alcohol Withdrawal", accessing articles about how to
> treat alcoholism.
>
> I: Diet: To reduce alcohol cravings, eat more whole grains, fruit, and
> other healthy foods. Limit sugar, caffeine, and junk food.
> One study compared alcoholics on a hospital diet vs alcoholics on a
> special diet that includes fruit and wheat germ, and excludes caffinated
> coffee, junk food, dairy products, and peanut butter. 81% of the
> special diet alcoholics went sober, vs 3% for the ones on the hospital
> diet.
>
> Over The Counter remedies: Take a multivitamin to speed recovery from
> alcohol related deficiencies. Also take vitamins B1, B3, and
> B-complex. Many alcoholics are deficient in B vitamins. A John Cleary,
> MD observed that some alcoholics stopped drinking when taking niacin (a
> form of B3) supplements. Cleary concluded that alcoholism might be a
> manifestation of Niacin Deficiency in some people, and recommends taking
> 500 mg of niacin daily, and/or taking B3 intravenously.
>
> Also take milk thistle to help the liver recover from cirrhosis.
>
> Prescription drugs: Ask your doctor about ReVia (which reduces cravings)
> and Valium, Xanax, or Ativan (To ease withdrawal symptoms). Other drugs
> mentioned: Tenovmin, Inderal. Alcoholics Anonymous can refer you to
> doctors who specialize in alcohol detoxification, hopefully ones who are
> cheap.
>

I was in strong agreement UNTIL Valium, Xanax and Ativan were mentioned.