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strong desire for coffee, tea, chocolates

Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2002 7:17 am
by Dave Hartley
Hi Jan,

Part of the answer is easy: Caffeine is addictive, and your patient is an
addict!

There is, of course- Caffeine in all three (coffee, tea, dark chocolate) but
undoubtedly trace "co-factors" are different, and so using all three
together creates a more powerful effect.

Coffee: Caffeine, small amount theophylline
Tea: Caffeine (less than half what is in Coffee) theophylline
Chocolate: Theobromine, Caffeine

David Riley's group has done a proving of AMP (adenosine monophosphate)
I imagine that this would be interesting to look at in relation to caffeine
addiction, as caffeine functions thru being an adenosine receptor
antagonist.

Your description of your client's cycle of abuse, remorse, vain promises,
abuse is *exactly* the same as any other addict.

The world's most successful and widespread application of homeopathic
principle in addiction is the "12 step" groups of alcoholics anonymous and
narcotics anonymous...
Even thought caffeine is the most widely used addictive drug - I don't know
of any "caffeine anonymous" (indeed you will see rampant caffeine abuse in
many "recovery" groups.)

If you think your patient could be brought to a willingness to see the
similarity of his addiction cycle to that of a crack cocaine user, he might
find some relief thru 12step group.

As far as treatment with homeopathy- I would ignore altogether the
multiples of stimulant, this is not so strange as you think. Treat it as
addiction, as addiction to Stimulant, Coffee, excitement, etc.

Some possible rubrics:
Mind, morose, coffee, after (only 1 remedy- calc-p)
Mind, sensitive, coffee after
Mind, despair, recovery, of

Avena Sativa is known as a remedy useful in addiction
Cham. is possible if otherwise indicated
Coca
Coff

Be careful that your remedy selection may be confirmed on a larger basis
than the addiction alone! Make this one facet of your case.

Otherwise, it might be best to simply try 12step groups &/or techniques.

regards,

Dave Hartley
www.localcomputermart.com/dave
Santa Cruz, CA (831)423-4284