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Drug Dependent CasesHomeopathic Journal :: Volume: 2, Issue: 9, Jul, 2009 (New Papers) - from Homeorizon.com
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Drug Dependent Patients
OPIUM, HEROIN :
(1) Opium or “afim” can rightly be called the `king of narcotics’. (2) Strong addictive drugs such as “heroin” is synthesized from it. (3) Opium comes from the poppy plant known botanically as Papaver somniferum. (4) The word papaver is a Greek word, meaning`poppy’. Somniferum is a Latin word, meaning `I bring sleep’. Since opium does put one to sleep, its name signifies the same. (5) However, for the most part, the largest quantities come from three areas of the world : the `Golden Triangle’ ( Laos , Burma , Thailand ), the ` Golden Crescent ’ ( Afghanistan , Pakistan , Iran ), and Mexico . (6) Most addicts these days take heroin. Fatal reactions can also occur in IV use due to impurities in the drug.
COCAINE :
(1) Cocaine use is a very expensive habit and is often referred to as `the king’s habit’. (2) The addict in a number of ways can take it, but the most commonly employed method is by inhalation (`snorting’ or `horning’). In snorting cocaine, the immediate euphoric effect (known as `the rush’) takes place within about 30 minutes. The usual time periods for euphoric effects are generally in the same range when cocaine is injected directly into a vein. When cocaine is taken orally, the effects begin after five minutes and the `rush’ is not as great as when cocaine is injected or `snorted’. That is why oral intake of cocaine, or `cocaine eating’, is not a preferred method amongst the addicts. (3) Risk of overdose particularly if mixed with other drugs.
CANNABIS :
(1) “Bhang”, “Charas”, “Hasish”,”Ganja” all these substances come from various parts of the same plant, called Indian hemp; botanical name of which is Cannabis Sativa. (2) The main chemical, which is responsible for its pleasurable effects, is called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. THC is found mainly in the leaves and the flowering tops of the plant. (3) The cannabis plant gives rise to several products. “Bhang” consists of dried leaves and shoots. It is also known by the name of “Siddhi or patti”. It may be used as such or as an infusion in the form of a beverage, which produces intoxication. (4) Yet another product, which comes from the cannabis plant, is “ganja” or “marijuana” which comes from the flowering tops of female plants. (5) While bhang contains only 1 to 2 per cent of THC, ganja may contain up to 5 per cent of THC. The same ganja is known as `marijuana’ or `marihuana’ in the West. (6) In the West, smoking ganja or marijuana in cigarettes known as `reefers’ or `joints’. A thin, special quality paper is taken and about 500 mg marijuana kept in it. It is then rolled in the form of a cigarette. (7) Smoking marijuana is referred to as `turning on’. (8) Marijuana is almost never injected intravenously (in contrast to heroin). (9) Marijuana is frequently known by the slang term `pot’. (10) The word comes either from the Mexican word for marijuana – potaguaya, or from the fact that cannabis is frequently grown in flower pots in Harlem . (11) Another product from the cannabis plant is “charas”, also known as “hashish” in the West. (12) Hashish contains 10 to 15 percent of THC and is much stronger than marijuana. (13) It is mildly sedative and euphoric and acts as disinhibitor.
LSD :
(1) Effective dose consists of only 25 microgram’s. (2) However, tolerance develops quickly and within a few weeks, doses of over 500 microgrammes are required to produce a full reaction. Even then the doses are remarkably low when compared to other drugs. (3) A drop on the tip of a needle is enough to produce the desired effect. Unlike most other drugs, LSD has always been a `drug of the young’. (4) In fact, the word psychedelic (the category to which LSD belongs) comes from two Greek words, psyche meaning `soul’ and delos meaning `visible’. LSD enables one to `see the soul’. (5) LSD is used in many forms as a homemade capsule or tablet, or may be contained in sugar cubes, candy, chewing gum etc. (6) Heroin, for instance, is heavily adulterated and many alleged samples of heroin are not heroin at all. This is because heroin is a costly drug to prepare. LSD on the other hand is easily prepared and at a low price, thus reducing chances of adulteration.
ALCOHOL :
Pregnancy and adverse drug effects: The most significant harm is caused by alcohol use in pregnancy, which can cause Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (a combination of congenital malformations and severe intellectual impairment). There is a 1 in 4 chance of this occurring in babies whose mothers have drunk more than 56 units per week during pregnancy. At lower levels of drinking e.g. 10 units per week it has been noted that babies tend to be much smaller for gestational age than babies of non-drug usurers.
NOTE :
(1) Sedative : (a) Calming, quieting. (b) An agent that quiets nervous excitement. (2) Euphoric : Euphoria – A feeling of well being, commonly exaggerated & not necessarily well founded. The agent, which produces euphoria. (3) Psychotomimetic : Psychosomimetic; denoting a drug or substance that induces Psychosis like symptoms à Insanity. (4) Psychedelic : Pertaining to a rather imprecise category of drugs with mainly central Nervous system action, and with effects said to be the expansion or heightening or consciousness e.g. LSD, Lashish. (5) Illusionogenic : Illusion :- A false perception; the mistaking of something for what it is not. The agent, which produces illusion. (6) Mysticomimetic : Mystic :- A person who seeks by contemplation & self surrender to obtain unity or identity with or absorption into the deity or the ultimate reality, or who believes in the spiritual apprehension of truths that are beyond the understanding.
Homoeopathic Treatment of Drug Dependent Cases
- CANNABIS :
- EMOTIONAL EFFECTS :
- PHYSICAL EFFECTS :
- MEDICINES OF CHOICE :
- Emotional Aspect :
- Anacardium :
- Calcarea Carb :
- Calcium :
- Carbonicums :
- Calcarea Carbonicum :
- Calcium :
- Phosphoric Acid
- Anacardium :
- Physical Aspect :
- Bacillinum :
- Conium :
- Selenium :
- Bacillinum :
- Emotional Aspect :
- EMOTIONAL EFFECTS :
- Few Additional Medicines (used in the treatment of Recreational Drugs) :
COCCAINE MURIATICUM
Clinical Therapeutics :(1) Delusions & Hallucinations, (2) Insomnia, (3) Glaucoma, (4) Dysphagia, (5) Haemorrhages, (6) Chorea, (7) Alcoholic Tremor & Senile Trembling, (8) Sensory Paralysis.
CANNABIS SATIVA :
