Question by Liza Shevchuk: Natural Remedies For Brain Damage After Drug Abuse?
My older brother has done many drugs from about 16-21. Its been a year since his last use, and he’s been having some serious problems. He has high anxiety and he’s been having frequent episodes of “weird” (as he calls it) feelings. He doesn’t label it as feeling sick. During these episodes he feels jittery, emotional (even cry’s sometimes) out of control, his heart rate goes up. This also causes him to have insomnia. Maybe they’re panic attacks, but the thing is, what triggers it? This occurs randomly on a normal day. We believe its typical withdrawal symptoms, because he abused quite a few drugs. (Marijuana, cigarettes, ecstasy, crystal meth, shrooms, hookah, cocaine, inhalants, “uppers” (as he calls them))
He has gone to see his doctor several times to get treatment, and his doctor said he has migraines.
-____-
He prescribed him anti depressants and that didn’t help my brother AT ALL.
He does this herbal drop treatment (echinacea, other oils, etc) That help him sleep.
Now we’re trying to find him herbal remedies that would help repair his brain damage from all of the abuse he has done to it.
Thank you very much.

Best answer:

Answer by jannsody
I’m not sure that there will be repairing of the brain damage (presuming that he has that as I’m not a medical doctor :), but researchers believe that the brain is very “plastic” and may form new nerve pathways to *help* compensate for the injured areas.

With regard to inhalant use, my friend actually has a severe Brain Injury from huffing at the age of 12, now in her 30s. The chemicals in products used for huffing are actual *poisons* that were never meant to go through the bloodstream.

Please be *very* careful with herbal supplements or “remedies” (e.g., echinacea, ginkgo biloba, chamomile) as they can result in side effects and/or drug (medication) interactions. It’s best to check with a licensed pharmacist before taking any of them. Not everything that is “natural” is safe 😉

Regarding the panic attacks, some people have generalized anxiety (to know specific event) or other types of anxiety. The antidepressants may help to lessen the intensity and/or frequency of the anxiety symptoms. Such medications tend to take about 6-8 weeks before possibly noticing results. A caveat (warning) is that some antidepressants may cause insomnia (trouble getting to and/or staying asleep). However, there are medications that one may take to help counteract the insomnia.

Even though benzo’s (e.g., ativan, valium, xanax, klonopin) may be prescribed to help with sleep, they’re not always recommended as a medication due to their physical addictiveness. (Some withdrawal symptoms from benzo’s may include seizures, psychosis/mental break from reality, or even death.) Some psychiatrists (it’s best to get medication for mental health issues from a board-certified psychiatrist as opposed to “just” a family doctor) prescribe seroquel (or other medications), which is classified as an antipsychotic but in smaller dosages may help with sleep.

You’d mentioned that he’s gone to the doctor several times, and I’m wondering if he’s gone to a neurologist which is medical dr who can help rule out disorders of the nervous system – brain, spinal cord, nerves. I’m just thinking that to help “cover all the bases” (not trying to give false hope though, know what I mean).

I’m not sure that he’d still be going through withdrawal symptoms a year after stopping the drugs, but it’s a good idea to ask a doctor about that as well.

Pertaining to the anxiety, please show him this government site which may have some local counseling agencies: http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/ and can click the second link. Then one can click “near you” on the left-hand side of the page under “find facilities” and can type one’s city and state of residence into search. Their toll-free 24/7 referral helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Just an fyi that the first link is for those looking for substance abuse counseling/treatment, and that may be an option if he’s still “using” or having cravings for substances.

A 12-step program, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), may have some local support groups. The only requirement is having a desire to get sober. One may attend an “open” AA meeting if there is no drinking problem: http://www.aa.org

This site has some common mottos pertaining to those 12-step programs, including “One day at a time”, “First things first” and “People, places and things”: http://www.royy.com/toolsofrecovery.html

Al-Anon is a 12-step program for the *friends and family* of the problem drinker, but one may attend an “open” Al-Anon meeting if the loved one doesn’t have a drinking problem: http://www.al-anon.alateen.org

Add your own answer in the comments!

Well of support for Martin Walsh among those in recovery
Walsh was by then a state legislator, a recovering alcoholic who knew a thing or two about addiction. Barbuto thought of him only as a friend. “The guy, he's gold,” said Barbuto. “Marty was my friend when nobody else wanted to be.” Continue reading …
Read more on Boston Globe

5 Tips for Managing Triggers during Addiction Recovery
5 Tips for Managing Triggers during Addiction Recovery Completing treatment for substance abuse or alcohol addiction is a major accomplishment. But the real work starts when you walk out the door. You are now making a commitment to abstinence from …
Read more on PsychCentral.com (blog)

Addiction Recovery and the Power of Service
As the seasons change, you may clean out your closet, a good way to assist is to donate those old clothes to a drug and alcohol treatment center. Many recovering addicts show up only with the clothes on their backs or a garbage bag half full. And …
Read more on ChicagoNow (blog)

Welcome To Internet Rehab
It's the first inpatient Internet addiction treatment center in the country, located in the Behavioral Health Services unit at Bradford Regional Medical Center in Pennsylvania. Many of us have joked at one time or another about being addicted to our …
Read more on Huffington Post

Walk For Hunger
Groups are facilitated by professional staff trained to help you or a loved one successfully transition from inpatient treatment back home or into a sober living environment. Aftercare and support following substance abuse treatment is an essential …
Read more on New Hyde Park Illustrated News

Cyndi Lauper to Perform at Silver Hill Hospital Gala on 11/20
In just a few short years, Silver Hill achieved national recognition as a top tier psychiatric hospital, revered for expert and compassionate treatment for patients struggling with mental illness or addiction. A steadfast adherence to mission – "to …
Read more on Broadway World

Judge metes out maximum sentence in deadly DUI case
Her witness, Lou Ortenzio, also said Smith is someone who could benefit from substance abuse treatment, including an inpatient program. Ortenzio is director of ministries for the Clarksburg Mission and Central West Virginia representative for the …
Read more on Exponent-telegram

Krokodil presents problems for treatment centers
JOLIET — Substance abuse treatment centers will face more challenges in providing care for users of the potent and dangerous street drug known as Krokodil, according to Pete McLenighan, executive director of the Stepping Stones Treatment Center.
Read more on Joliet Herald News

Krokodil to present special problems for treatment centers
Substance abuse treatment centers will face more challenges in providing care for users of the potent and dangerous street drug known as Krokodil, according to Pete McLenighan, executive director of the Stepping Stones Treatment Center. McLenighan …
Read more on SouthtownStar

Question by eveofthefuture: How can we use anthropology in order to understand “substance abuse” and/or addiction?
Up until now, rehab programs have not been very successful. In your own words, give me some examples where anthropology and sociology can be applied and used in regards to developing a rehab program maybe more adapted to addicts.
xx machina: True, it was extremely important to anthropologists up until recently. Things have changed. With the emergence of what we call in France “Le devoir d’Ingerence,” post- post- modernist theories and more, the idea of objectivity and subjectivity have definitely transformed. New branches of anthropology are actually born with the desire to change the world, therefore, to judge and speak out (applied anthropology is a good example). You will find more and more applied anthropologists working in health organizations, developing health programs with just that “an anthropological approach.” Many medical, cultural, symbolic, urban anthropologists anthropologists have been writing on a social phenomenon called addiction. It would make sense to apply these findings in the benefit (not necessarily judge as you point out) of addicts.
Thank you Dek and Glo.

Best answer:

Answer by Glo*
Taking examples from Native Americans, they used many intoxicants such as plants and herbs and drugs that are now considered to be psychoactive. However, they have/had a strict set of rules and guidelines for usage. For many years they did not have a addiction/abuse issue. However, now they do and have for sometime. The conditions of use, times, places, rules and guidelines changed. They have developed a program called the “wellbriety movement” you may find it quite interesting. go to http://www.whitebison.org and you can find further information regarding this program. Going with the norms of their cultures they include family and community in the abstinence process. Unlike mainstream society with clients in treatment being kept away from family and friends. Getting direct support from therapists, counselors and fellow addicts only. They are given the tools and sent out into society and expected to use these tools and remain clean in the same environment with a family that really has no knowledge of what their loved one is dealing with. I actually just composed a research paper and posted it on my 360 blog the other day…. You are more than welcome to go there an read it if you would like. You can use your own words to show examples. God bless****

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Prescription drug use at root of many Utah addictions and deaths
"Increases in substance abuse treatment admissions, emergency department visits and most disturbingly, overdose deaths attributable to prescription drug abuse place enormous burdens upon communities across the country." The report finds few states are …
Read more on El Estándar

Bloomington recovery center goes forward despite opposition
GEORGE – Plans to open a residential drug and alcohol treatment center in the Bloomington Ranches neighborhood of St. George will apparently go ahead without any opposition from the city, according to statements from both city officials as well as the …
Read more on Dixie Press Online

SHUTDOWN IMPACT: 13 Days after the federal government closed, affects are …
The government shutdown continues with some hope for those who would like to visit the nation's national parks: The Obama administration said it would allow the states to use their own money to pay for park operations and Utah jumped at the chance …
Read more on New York Daily News