Natural Cures for Depression & Addiction

Though dealing with either depression or addiction can be difficult, the stress that treatment can cause sometimes leads to additional problems for those who suffer. The problem can be compounded when addiction comes along with depression, especially when a depressed individual is using his addiction as a coping mechanism. Fortunately, there are several natural methods for treating depression and addiction which can be less stressful and easier to follow than some pharmaceutical treatment solutions.

Depression

• Homeopathic treatment providers recommend a number of lifestyle changes in order to help defeat the demon of depression. Many of these treatments revolve around nutrition, with recommendations that you avoid items such as caffeine, refined sugars, alcohol and nicotine. Regular exercise and sunlight are also recommended, as both cause the release of endorphins in the brain such as serotonin and norepinephrine. Herbal remedies such as St. John's Wort are also recommended, usually in conjunction with solid nutrition and a regular exercise routine.

Alcoholism

• Though alcoholism can be a difficult addiction to break, a number of natural options for detoxifying the body are used to help speed alcohol addiction recovery. Special diets consisting of exclusively one or two items such as grapes or raw celery juice have been shown to be effective for overcoming the cravings of alcoholism. St. John's Wort can be used to treat anxiety, a major cause of many alcoholics turning back to the alcohol that they are attempting to avoid. When treating alcoholism naturally, it is also important to drink up to eight cups of water per day in order to avoid dehydration and to provide assistance in the flushing of toxins from the body.

Narcotic Addictions

• Narcotics addicts turn to a number of natural treatment options in order to try and overcome their addictions. Passionflower is used by some to help with withdrawal symptoms because of its sedative properties. Vitamin C and iron supplements are also used, since they help to strengthen the body's cells and immune responses. St. John's Wort is also used to treat the anxiety that can be caused by narcotics withdrawal. Rest, exercise and plenty of fluids are recommended to those who are trying to overcome a narcotics addiction, with Benadryl recommended for those who have trouble sleeping. Since narcotics withdrawal can cause flu-like symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, fevers and leg cramps, many common flu treatments can be used to help ease the severity of withdrawal symptoms.