Excerpt from: “Practical Homeopathic Therapy“ |
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| by Dr. med. Ed. W. A. DEWEY (published 1901) | |
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Nux vomica – Nux is the premier anti-alcohol remedy. It suits trembling, nervous involvement, headaches and a bad taste in the mouth. It also corresponds to delirium tremens, where the slightest noise causes a start and the sufferer finds no rest anywhere, wakes up at night and has dreadful visions. It is also the remedy for the acute consequences of binge drinking. Nux should be given while the patient is still under the influence of alcohol. |
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Hyoscyamus – When delirium tremens occurs, Hyoscyamus is usually one of the first indicated remedies. The delirium persists and the patient is talkative; the condition is often not inflammatory enough for Belladonna and Stramonium lacks the madness. The pulse is small, rapid and compressible; the skin feels cold and moist; the patient trembles and constantly grasps at things in the air. He suffers from persecutory delusions and is very anxious; he makes attempts to flee. Persistent insomnia is an excellent indication; convulsions alternating with crying may also occur. According to Dr Butler no remedy compares with Hyoscyamus when it comes to producing sleep; it is given in the mother tincture, five or ten drops in half a glass of water, a teaspoonful every half hour. |
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Opium – This remedy is indicated in “old offenders” who have repeatedly had delirium tremens. They display a constant look of fear and horror; they have visions of animals jumping everywhere; they see ghosts; their sleep is restless and the breathing is rattling. It is particularly indicated in cases resembling a stroke. |
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Lachesis – has delusions of snakes and dreadful objects. It has sensations of choking in the throat that suddenly startle the patient out of sleep. |
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Stramonium – fits habitual drinkers; it has delusions of animals attacking from all sides and the patient tries to flee. The face in Stramonium is bright red, not dark red as in Opium. |
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Arsenicum album – sees ghosts, accompanied by great weakness. Diseases arise from alcohol abuse; patients cannot live without their customary alcoholic drinks; marked tremor and nervous weakness. |
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Belladonna – also suffers from delirium with delusions of rats, mice etc., and Calcium carbonicum likewise. Belladonna is easily distinguished from Opium, and Calcium remains as a last resort when Belladonna and Stramonium fail. Aconite has also shown very good effect in the acute mania of alcoholic delusion when, as with Belladonna, there is a desire to flee. |
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Ranunculus bulbosus - It has been shown that Ranunculus bulbosus — given in the mother tincture — has a particularly calming effect in attacks of delirium tremens. It is undoubtedly one of our best remedies for treating acute alcoholism. The Autor has prescribed this remedy with good success. |
 Cimicifuga rubifolia © Peter/Pixelio |
Cimicifuga – helps in cases of depression where trembling is also a prominent symptom. The delirium is only mild and the hallucinations relate to small things. The patient suffers from constant sleeplessness and physical restlessness. |
| Strophanthus – has also been used successfully. | |
| Acidum sulfuricum - This is the remedy for chronic alcoholism. It fits alcoholics in the final stage who are pale, shrivelled and cold, and whose stomachs cannot tolerate the smallest amount of food. They cannot drink water unless it is heavily laced with whisky. They are hurried and hasty in everything, and have a constant craving for cognac. It is indicated long after Nux vomica, perhaps even after repeated failure with other remedies. It corresponds to sour breath and vomiting as a result of alcohol-induced digestive disorders. The constant craving for cognac suggests Sulphur, Nux vomica and Arsenicum album, all of which have a strong craving for alcoholic drinks. | |
Tartarus emeticus, tartar emetic – is often helpful when gastritis with cold sweat and tendency to pneumonia, as can occur after excessive beer drinking, is prominent. |
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Capsicum – the mother tincture given in ten-drop doses stops morning vomiting and the intense craving for alcohol in dipsomania. Capsicum sinks into the pit of the stomach and stimulates the appetite. It reduces restlessness and trembling and promotes a calm sleep. |
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Dr. Willis Alonzo Dewey: In addition to his work as an editor, Dr Dewey worked with Boericke and is Autor of several books on homeopathy: the “Twelve Tissue Remedies”, the “Points of the Homeopathic Materia Medica”, “The Homeopathic Foundations” and “Practical Homeopathic Therapy” (now reissued as "Materia Medica in Question and Answer", "Homeopathy in Question and Answer" and "Homeopathy in Daily Practice"). |
