Running head: CAM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Using CAM in Substance Abuse, a Drug-Free Method of Detoxification and Recovery
Tracy Krueger
HW499: Bachelor's Capstone in Health and Wellness
Kaplan University
Professor Kristin Henningsen
February 10, 2014
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CAM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Course Syllabus
HW 355-01: Considering CAM in Substance Abuse Treatment, a Drug-Free Method of
Detoxification and Recovery
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
I.
Course Information
II.
Instructor Information
III.
Course Description
IV.
Course Outcomes
V.
Course Calendar
I.
Course Information
Term: April 2014
Dates: April 7 th
, April 14 th
, April 21 st
at 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Course Number/Section: HW355 - 01
Course Title: Considering CAM in Substance Abuse Treatment, a Drug-Free Method of Detoxification and Recovery
Credit Hours: None
Prerequisites: None
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CAM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
II. Instructor Information
Instructor Name and Credentials: Tracy Krueger, NASM-CPT, NASM-PES,
Cleveland Clinic Certified in Nutritional Counseling,
Red Cross Certified in CPR/AED/First Aid
Instructor Email Address: tkrueger4@yahoo.com
III. Course Description
This course is designed for individuals of diverse backgrounds, in different career fields, a curious member of the community, or anyone looking to further their knowledge of
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) as it applies to Substance Abuse and its potential in the treatment thereof. An overview of potential CAM choices and practices that can be used in this capacity, as well an overview of substance abuse, and then finally a synopsis of how the two can come together to provide the addict with a drug-free method of detoxification and treatment for and provide hope in this horrible drug addiction epidemic in which our country is in the midst herein.
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CAM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
IV. Course Outcomes
Course Outcomes: By the end of this course, you should be able to:
HW 355-01: Demonstrate an understanding with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives and trends in complementary and alternative medicine choices and practices that are potentially beneficial to substance abuse detoxification and treatment.
HW 355-02: Apply the concepts, principles and methods of complementary and alternative medicine choices and practices that are potentially beneficial to substance abuse detoxification.
HW355-03: Critically evaluate current research in complementary and alternative medicine as it applies to complementary and alternative medicine choices and practices that are potentially beneficial to substance abuse detoxification.
V. Course Materials
Syllabus, Weekly 1 ½ hour lecture and Weekly Course Handouts
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CAM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Lecture Notes
Week One
1) What is Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)? a)
“Complimentary” Medicine commonly refers to using a non-mainstream approach together with conventional medicine. b) “Alternative” refers to using a non-mainstream approach in place of conventional medicine. i) Types of Complementary and Alternative Medicine
(a) Whole medical systems

Ancient healing systems - These healing systems arose long before conventional Western medicine and include Ayurveda from India and traditional Chinese medicine.

Homeopathy - This approach uses minute doses of a substance that causes symptoms to stimulate the body's self-healing response.

Naturopathy - This approach focuses on noninvasive treatments to help your body do its own healing and uses a variety of practices, such as massage, acupuncture, herbal remedies, exercise and lifestyle counseling.
(b) Mind-body medicine

Mind-body techniques strengthen the communication between your mind and your body. Complementary and alternative medicine practitioners say these two systems must be in harmony for you to stay healthy. Examples of mind-body connection techniques include meditation, prayer, and relaxation and art therapies
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CAM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
(c) Biologically based practices

Examples include dietary supplements and herbal remedies. These treatments use ingredients found in nature. Examples of herbs include ginseng, ginkgo and Echinacea, while examples of other dietary supplements include selenium, glucosamine sulfate and SAMe. Herbs and supplements can be taken as teas, oils, syrups, powders, tablets or capsules
(d) Manipulative and body-based practices

These methods use human touch to move or manipulate a specific part of your body. They include chiropractic and osteopathic manipulation and massage.
(e) Energy medicine

Some complementary and alternative medicine practitioners believe an invisible energy force flows through your body, and when this energy flow is blocked or unbalanced you can become sick. Different traditions call this energy by different names, such as chi, prana and life force. The goal of these therapies is to unblock or re-balance your energy force. Energy therapies include qi gong, therapeutic touch, reiki and magnet therapy.
2) What will the CAM focus be for substance abuse detoxification and treatment?
(a) Naturopathy
(b) Biological based practices
(c) Mind-body medicine
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CAM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Lecture Notes
Week 2
1.
Substance abuse and the need for drug-free detoxification and treatment to end the addict’s dependency a.
Healthy drug-free options are available i.
The concept is a drug-free form of detoxification that utilizes healthy means to help the body eliminate the drug residues that are associated with cravings.
2.
These abusive substances that the addicts have been using are often carcinogens in the body. a.
Addicts, as a whole, experience an elevated rate of breast, mouth, esophageal, and liver cancers because of these substances. i.
Why treat one form of chemical dependence with another? ii.
What are the options?
1.
Carefully planned program of nutritional supplements
2.
Moderate daily exercise
3.
Gradually increasing time spent each day in a low-heat sauna
4.
Careful supervision of nutritional intake, exercise, water and time in sauna as well as review of any phenomena related to the process.
3.
Why utilize these methods? a.
This combination has been tested and proven to create a flushing of drug residues that tend to lodge in the fatty tissues of the body. b.
It is these stored residues that resolve the mystery of the "sudden, inexplicable" reversion to drug use, even after years of sobriety.
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CAM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE c.
Because drugs tend to be attracted to and bond to fats, they can be hard to eliminate from the body. d.
There is less blood circulation in fat and these drug residues do not easily break their bond with the body fat. e.
If the person has a thin body, there is still internal fat in which these residues can be stored. f.
When this fat is needed for energy as in the case of strenuous exercise or high stress such as an argument or other conflict, the body may draw on these fat reserves, releasing these residues back into the bloodstream. g.
Some individuals may once again feel a compulsion to use drugs that devastates their hard-won sobriety, even after months or years because they have not properly detoxed.
4.
What is the purpose of the dry-heat sauna? a.
Causes sweating and therefore releases the chemical toxins from the fat cells
5.
What is the purpose of exercise? a.
To aid in a mind-body healing in addition to causing sweating and elevating mood b.
Some chemical toxins can take upwards of year to fully clear from the brain. i.
Sobriety is not always the equivalent of clean
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CAM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Lecture Notes
Week 3
1.
What nutritional supplements can be utilized in detoxing and/or treatment of substance abuse? a.
Milk Thistle i.
This particular herb is beneficial in the treatment of hepatotoxicity which is a destruction of the liver caused by drugs and alcohol and supports liver detoxification and has been shown to reduce elevated liver enzymes
(Balch, Stengler, & Balch, 2011) b.
B-complex vitamins i.
These water soluble vitamins are required during the detoxification process, as well as providing mood and energy support (Balch, Stengler, &
Young Balch, 2011). Substance abuse causes negative lifestyle changes, such as irregular eating and potential malnutrition, and the B-complex vitamins aid in restoring the body with proper nutrition which will in essence help the healing process. ii.
Additionally, the B-vitamins, including much-needed thiamin, help correct a bad diet and also help level out low blood sugar problems.
Hypoglycemia is often a factor in alcohol cravings. iii.
The body wants simple, quick carbohydrate and the addict will erroneously satisfy that craving with sugar, alcohol or drugs. Niacin
(vitamin B-3) helps the body to calm down. The B-vitamins have been successfully used for decades by orthomolecular psychiatrists to relieve depression and psychoses (Balch, Stengler, & Balch, 2011). iv.
These are not stored in the body
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CAM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE v.
Water soluble and must be replenished c.
Chromium i.
This is an essential trace mineral and is “extremely helpful in reducing sugar cravings. ii.
This is because the trivalent mineral chromium is the central molecule in the Glucose Tolerance Factor, which allows insulin to deliver glucose from the blood stream into the cells. iii.
Without chromium, the insulin cannot do its job and sugar will build up in high levels in the blood, then flood precipitously into the cells causing the dramatic rollercoaster ride of "sugar blues” (Balch, Stengler, & Balch,
2011). iv.
A non-addictive person can eat a serving of sugar and be satisfied for hours, however in contrast the addictive person, will crave even more sugar after consuming a moderate serving, this is an instinctive response to drug cravings. v.
Sugar gives the abuser a similar euphoria to drugs and alcohol d.
Vitamin C i.
This vitamin is important for detoxification and it increases glutathione levels (Balch, Stengler, & Young Balch, 2011). ii.
Glutathione is the body’s own production of the most powerful antioxidant known to man. iii.
Vitamin C is the single most potent free radical scavenger and will help cleanse and oxygenate the tissues. It will also help to keep the bowels moving; a very important component of getting clean and sober (Balch,
Stengler, & Balch, 2011).
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CAM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
2.
Nutrition and the addict a.
The body has been damaged and must be rebuilt i.
Avoid sugar ii.
Avoid alcohol, even if alcohol was not the drug of choice b.
Increase fiber to aid in detoxification i.
Will also aid in constipation issues of the addict ii.
Increased hydration is necessary with increased fiber and also beneficial to detoxification
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CAM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Handout – Week One
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(Complementary, Alternative, or Integrative Health: What’s In a Name?, 2013) .
Mind and Body Practices
Mind and body practices include a large and diverse group of procedures or techniques administered or taught by a trained practitioner or teacher. For example some that would be beneficial to the treatment of substance abuse are:
Acupuncture is a technique in which practitioners stimulate specific points on the body— most often by inserting thin needles through the skin.
Massage therapy includes many different techniques in which practitioners manually manipulate the soft tissues of the body.
Most meditation techniques, such as mindfulness meditation or transcendental meditation , involve ways in which a person learns to focus attention.
Relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises , guided imagery , and progressive muscle relaxation , are designed to produce the body’s natural relaxation response.
The various styles of yoga used for health purposes typically combine physical postures or movement, breathing techniques, and meditation.
Other examples of mind and body practices include healing touch and hypnotherapy .

CAM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Handout – Week Two
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CAM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Handout – Week Three
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(Thompson & Manore, 2009).

CAM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
References
Balch, J. F., Stengler, M., & Balch, R. Y. (2011). Prescription for Natural Cures.
Hoboken, NJ
07030: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Complementary, Alternative, or Integrative Health: What’s In a Name?
(2013, May). Retrieved
February 10, 2014 from NCCAM: http://nccam.nih.gov/health/whatiscam
Thompson, J., & Manore, M. (2009). Nutrition, an Applied Approach 2nd Edition.
San Fracisco,
CA 94111: Pearson Benjamin Cummings.
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