Loretta Butehorn PhD CCHJoin Annual Homeopathic Conference 2013
April 2013
Goals for this PresentationDescribe research in substance abuse
treatmentIdentify use of Nux vomica as “protocol”
treatment for early stabilization after detoxification for chemical addiction
Discuss partnering with allopathic substance abuse treatment in community.
April 2013
ProblemClients who have used traditional allopathic
detoxification for substance dependence most often develop PAWS (post acute withdrawal syndrome)
Paws often causes immediate withdrawal from substance abuse treatment and relapse
An acute, immediate intervention would be useful to stabilize the client before constitutional treatment can be used.
April 2013
Sample of NWS TERRY 53 yr old woman’s husband
murdered before her eyes- was drugging and living in an unsafe park in Boston in a tent –to which she would return if she relapsed
JOYCE 12 yr old impregnated by stepfather thought to be “whoring around” by her mother-today a 22 year old women who has supported herself through prostitution and is desperate to stop but has no real supports
NWS continued• LISA as a 17 year old tried to get her mom
out of crack house, ended up using crack with mom-today as a 25 year old ,relapse would mean continued decline
• ANDREA as a 22 year old left her terminally ill husband without saying goodbye because she couldn’t stand to watch him die- today as a 45 year old cannot hold a job and last relapse left her homeless is buried in guilt
• Real people, real pain
April 2013
Each person in this population had a significant history of severe trauma , abuse, abandonment prior to beginning drug use with significant number of attempts at treatment and multiple treatment “failures.”
April 2013
TodayWhat is PAWSHow we developed an homeopathic
intervention for this population of clientsWhat were the results…..
April 2013
PAWS (Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome)Severe cravings for any drug which causes
addictionIrritability, agitationNausea, diarrhea, sleep disturbanceMemory disturbanceIf you have ever had a craving for chocolate
multiple that physical-emotional experience by 1000 and you might get the idea of what client is experiencing
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Research in addiction and homeopathyHeroin addicts in India, 60 patients35% left study from placebo group5% from homeopathic groupSignificant decrease in cravings and
withdrawal symptomsResulted in institutionalization of
homeopathy in substance abuse rx in India-Bakski, presented on Nat Conf on Homeopathy and Drug Abuse,
March 1990
April 2013
Nux vomica Controlled study rats and alcohol Choice of alcohol and non alcohol bottles Significantly reduced alcohol intake with
homeopathic treatment
Sukul NC, et al “Strychnos Nuv Vomica extract and its ultra high dilution reduce voluntary ethanol intake in rats” J Altern Com Med. 2001 Apr;7(2):187-93.
April 2013
Detox and Post acute withdrawal1993-Detox CA 703-randomized, controled-18
months: Relapse: 32% of homeopatic, 68% of placebo rx, 72% of regular detox— S. Garcia-Swain,M.D. in Lanksy, 2003.
April 2013
Genus epidemicusVan de Zee’s* use of Hahnemann’s construct of
genus epidemicus to prescribe for trauma victims as a group a model for Nux vomica protocol.
We decided to treat this as an acute condition, and use the combined symptoms of the population
Using this as a model, we began offering Nux vomica 200 c in water, succussed, as needed for 1 week to clients suffering from PAWS before constitutional treatment
*“Healing Collective Trauma” in Homeopathy and Mental Health Harry van der Zee 200
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Informal resultsIn 2 Boston 6 month treatment programs-2006-2010 we offered “Nux Protocol”
2006-2008- 2 programs- 39% and 33% completion rate non-homeopathic group, with homeopathy 64% and 66% completion rate. Butehorn et al, attached in handouts
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Boston Area Substance Abuse Treatment Center 2010-2011
28 day post detox programNux vomica 200 c 1-2 dry doses for PAWSSelf selected populationWomen between 18 and 70Multiple drug addiction
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Dec 2010-Dec 2011Non homeopathic= 184 Homeopathic=138Completed 42% *Left program after less
than 48 hrs(ACA)=11%Left program after 48
hrs (ACA)=23% *Dismissed compliance
issues=6%
Completed 63% *Left program after less
than 48 hrs (ACA)= 7%Left program after 48
hrs (ACA)=15% *Dismissed compliance
issues=2%
*=statistical significance
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Totality of all charts
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LogananceaeBased on work presented by Morrison and Herrick at American Medical College of Homeopathy Conference Sept 2012.
April 2013
Grief/Betrayal/TraumaMetabolized by…………. Sadly, often met with1.Validation disbelief2.Support vilification3.Processing refusal to listen4.Safety blatantly unsafe
So self medication becomes the default option resulting in addiction
April 2013
Nux Vomica Hangover drug
And now I call it the “arnica of addiction”
This is a terrific “protocol”for people in early stages of recovery (post detoxification from alcohol and other drugs.)
April 2013
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April 2013
April 2013