SUBSTANCE ABUSE -
GENERAL A SMALL STUDY
By Lawrence Wilson, MD
© December 2009, The Center For Development
Drug
use is skyrocketing in America, particularly, and in other nations,
particularly in Europe, as well. There
are many possible reasons for this.
Among them may be the generally faster pace of life, in general. Also, most peopleÕs bodies are far more
run down and tired. Also, the
level of the toxic metals in the environment and in peopleÕs bodies are higher,
causing more mental and physical disorders, including many mental and emotional
problems.
This
article discusses some of the common hair analysis patterns seen in people who
are or who have used drugs, with some commentary on the causes of drug and
alcohol addictions and what can be done to help them.
Hair analysis patterns with drug
use. These can be
any patterns. However, the most
common are often a slow oxidation rate, and often a very slow oxidation
rate. The exception here is
alcoholism, which occurs often in fast oxidizers with a low sodium/potassium
ratio.
It
is not always clear whether the drug use causes a slow oxidation rate or a very
sluggish oxidation rate causes a person to want to use drugs. Either situation is possible, and most
likely both occur commonly.
Toxic metals are often high in those who use
drugs. Once again, this may be a
cause or a result of drug or alcohol use.
One note with alcoholism is that most alcoholic beverages contain
various toxic substances, among which are toxic metals as well as toxic
chemicals. These range from
pesticides used on grapes and other crops that are made into alcohol, to chemicals
added during processing, fermentation, distillation processes or as
preservatives, which are also widely used in alcoholic beverages and rarely
appear on the label.
However,
we always find toxic metals such as arsenic and mercury in those who use alcohol
heavily. The other possible reason
for this is that those who use drugs rarely eat well, so their bodies may just
become depleted of vital minerals and then accumulate toxins from the
environment.
The bowl pattern. This pattern may be somewhat more common
among those who use or have used drugs or alcohol. The pattern indicates a feeling of being stuck,
emotionally. The cause of this
pattern can be a combination of lifestyle issues and nutritional
imbalances. It often responds very
well to nutritional balancing programs.
Part
of this pattern is a tendency for feelings of frustration, resentment and
hostility. These are associated
with a low sodium/potassium ratio.
These feelings are common in those who use drugs.
Other
common emotions are anger, often turned inward, loneliness, a certain
detachment from reality, and a desire to escape or run away. Some feel very lost and rather
hopeless. As a result, they do not
care much about their health.
Otherwise they would most likely not engage in drug use, which most know
is not healthful or safe.
HELPING THOSE WITH A DRUG PROBLEM
Many methods can
help those with a drug problem.
They range from the traditional methods such as counseling and other
types of psychotherapies, to some of the more unorthodox methods. Among these are the ÔClearÕ sauna
therapy program offered by a number of drug rehabilitation centers around the
nation including Narconon and others.
Nutritional balancing science. These programs are wonderful for most drug addicts and former
addicts. Nutritional balancing
slowly corrects many biochemical imbalances that cause drug or alcohol
cravings, sugar cravings, hypoglycemia, depression, anxiety, moodiness, brain
fog and other symptoms that may cause drug addition in the first place.
The
programs also restore the bodyÕs natural energy production so that stimulants,
for example, are not needed or as helpful to give a person some energy. This can also be an important factor in
drug or alcohol use. Another
benefit of the program is the ability to detoxify the body of hundreds of toxic
chemicals and metals. This is
another factor that can hold a person in a drug or alcohol addiction.
Nutritional
balancing has other great benefits, such as starting a person on a path toward
mental and spiritual development that is completely incompatible with any
destructive behavior such as drug use.
The programs can also clear the mind so a person will be able to think
clearly and make much better, reasoned and less emotionally based decisions.
Religions often helpful.
Many people find that structured religions are helpful for drug
rehabilitation. This is important
to realize. Many find peace with
Christianity, for example, or Judaism, or even Islam. This is one reason the more structured religions are gaining
members these days.
CASE STUDIES
Abstract. Five cases of substance abuse were
analyzed for mineral patterns unique to this population as revealed on hair
mineral analyses. All five cases
had very low zinc and elevated cadmium levels. In the author's experience, this is not as common in other
population groups.
The
study suggests a link between low hair zinc, elevated cadmium and substance
abuse. Also analyzed were three
cases of former substance abusers. These revealed higher zinc levels. Possible reasons for the findings and
how correction might prove helpful in treating substance abuse are covered in
the discussion.
INTRODUCTION
Substance
abuse is a common and costly health problem in America today. An area of research that has received
little attention is whether nutritional imbalances might predispose one toward
substance abuse. A fairly new tool for assessing mineral imbalances
inexpensively and accurately is hair mineral analysis. The objective of this
study was to review a number of cases to identify mineral patterns unique to
substance abusers.
METHODOLOGY
In
the authorÕs nutrition consulting practice, a tissue mineral analysis is
performed on every new patient. A
number of substance abusers were clients in the practice. Mineral tests of five
substance abuse patients were analyzed for this study.
THE CASES
Those who were substance abusers at the time of testing:
Case #1. K.G., a 30-year-old white female,
had a history of alcohol abuse since age 15. At the time she presented, she had
been sober for nine months. She also abused sleeping pills at the time of the
mineral analysis, and had a history of tranquilizer abuse on and off for 10
years. She complained of extreme
fatigue, hypoglycemia, poor digestion and hopelessness.
Case #2. J.M., a 44-year-old white male, had
a history of cocaine and alcohol abuse. He also smoked two packs of cigarettes
daily for the past 20 years.
Case #3. J.P., a 37-year-old white male, was
a heroin addict, now on a methadone maintenance. He is also HIV positive. He
had taken massive doses of vitamin C and other vitamins which he claimed helped
his energy level. He complained of fatigue, joint pain, depression, and
anxiety.
Case #4. W.H., a 57-year-old white male,
regularly abused alcohol. His symptoms were arthritis, impotence and extreme
fatigue.
Case #5. U.P., a 33-year-old white female, is
a former heroin addict, now on methadone maintenance. She had symptoms of
fatigue, mood swings, anxiety, joint stiffness and premenstrual tension.
Those who were former substance abusers:
Case #6. B.K., a 24-year-old white female,
had a history of alcoholism and drug abuse until five years ago. At the time of testing she was taking
Prozac and Xanax for symptoms of irritability, depression, mood swings, panic
attacks and anxiety.
Case #7. D.W., a 29-year-old white female,
had a history of cocaine abuse several years ago. She complained of mood
swings, anxiety and 'stress'. She smokes 10 cigarettes per day. She takes no
medication.
Case #8. A.K., a 17-year-old white female,
previously had a brief involvement with cocaine. Her main symptom was fatigue,
and she was not on medication.
HAIR TISSUE MINERAL TESTING PROCEDURE
Sampling
of the hair requires several clippings from the back of the head, close to the
scalp. Hair over one inch long is cut off and discarded. Cuttings were combined
to form a 125 mg sample. This was sent to Accutrace Laboratories in Phoenix,
Arizona, a federally licenced testing laboratory with over 35 years experience.
At
the laboratory, the sample is cut up by hand into smaller pieces. This is left
to dissolve overnight in a combination of nitric and sulfuric acid. The
following day a carefully measured amount is placed in an induction-coupled
plasma instrument. The instrument detects the levels of 20 trace and toxic
minerals accurately within parts per million.
Controls involve a National
Bureau of Standards bovine liver sample, and in-house controls of all reagents.
Controls are run with every batch of samples.
RESULTS
All
data is presented at the end of the article. Test results differing from
averages seen in the general population included:
Cadmium: All substance abusers revealed
tissue cadmium levels above 0.02 mg%. Two of the three former substance abusers
also had elevated cadmium readings. The optimal cadmium level is 0.01 mg% or
less.
Zinc : All substance abusers had zinc readings of 12 mg% or lower. None
of the former substance abusers had a zinc reading less than 14 mg%. Optimal
zinc levels are about 14 mg% or higher.
Phosphorus: Four of the five substance abusers
had phosphorus readings of 13 mg% or lower. Among the former abusers, only one
had a phosphorus level below 13 mg%. Optimal phosphorus levels are above 13
mg%.
Lead. All but one of the cases showed an
elevated lead, using a lead level of 0.1 mg% or less as the optimal level.
Other
mineral levels were variable, similar to the general population.
DISCUSSION
Zinc: Zinc is a critical mineral,
involved in over 100 enzyme systems. These include alcohol dehydrogenase, an
enzyme required to detoxify alcohol in the liver. Zinc is also considered by some researchers as a calming
neurotransmitter. Zinc is
important for the functioning of the cortex, or higher brain centers. Zinc is also required for protein
synthesis, digestive enzyme secretion, insulin production and secretion, the
sense of taste and smell, appetite control, wound healing and many other
functions.
Zinc
deficiency is associated with anorexia, mood swings, anxiety and emotional
instability. It can also cause cadmium toxicity, as cadmium replaces zinc in
enzyme binding sites.
Zinc
deficiency is common in America. Dr. Carl Pfeiffer wrote in Mental & Elemental Nutrients that as
of 1975, zinc was deficient in the soil of 32 of the 50 states. This causes low
zinc levels in many foods today.
Food
refining and processing removes more zinc from our foods. Zinc deficiency is
commonly congenital, or present from birth, if the mother is low in zinc.
Stress and the use of
alcohol further deplete the level of zinc. Cigarette paper contains cadmium, an
element that competes with zinc for intestinal absorption.
Zinc deficiency may
contribute to the tendency for substance abuse by increasing oneÕs anxiety
level. Conversely, alcohol or drug abuse with accompanying malnutrition almost
always results in a zinc deficiency. The deficiency in turn worsens anxiety and
emotional instability, creating a vicious cycle.
Cadmium : Cadmium competes with zinc and interferes with zinc metabolism.
Cadmium can replace zinc in enzyme binding sites. In a study of Navy recruits, high hair cadmium was shown to
correlate well with behavior problems. Cadmium toxicity may be present at
birth, passed from the mother through the placenta. It may also be acquired
from environmental sources, including tap water, processed foods and
occupational exposure.
Cadmium from cigarette
smoke could help account for the elevated levels in some of the study
participants. Zinc deficiency also predisposes one to cadmium toxicity. When zinc
is deficient, the body will absorb cadmium to replace zinc in enzyme binding
sites.
Phosphorus: Low phosphorus on a mineral
analysis is the result of a diet low in protein, impaired protein digestion or
utilization, and/or possibly a low zinc level. Zinc deficiency or a poor diet could account for the low
phosphorus readings in the study participants.
Lead. Lead is a highly toxic metal
that affects the nervous system as well as many other body systems. Lead
toxicity is associated with over 100 symptoms.
Lead, along with other
toxic metals, may be used as a pesticide that is sprayed on drug crops.
CONCLUSIONS
The
intent of this small study was to identify mineral patterns that might be
common to substance abusers. Low
zinc and high cadmium were common to all cases. Low phosphorus was present in four of the five substance
abusers. Lead was also elevated
among the substance abusers. Lead
poisoning often has to do with drugs.
This
study suggests a correlation between substance abuse and mineral imbalances,
either as a cause or a result of substance abuse. Correction of mineral
imbalances may have a role to play in the prevention and treatment of substance
abuse. Larger studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.
TRACE MINERAL READINGS - 8 CASES
(all
numbers reported in mg per 100 grams)
Mineral
Case #1 Case #2 Case
#3 Case #4 Case #5 Case
#6 Case #7 Case #8
F - alcohol M - alcohol M - heroin M - alcohol F - heroin F -
former F - former F - former
Calcium
55
76
53
115
57
50
176 99
Magnesium
10
6
6
26
10
6
24
6
Sodium
3
230 62
43
26
3
18 8
Potassium
1
30
28
72
11
1
5
3
Iron
1
0.6
1.6
4.0
0.5
0.8
0.9 0.8
Copper
9.4
16
1.0
4.0
1.1
0.9
2.0 2.7
Manganese
0.01
0.03
0.03
0.15
0.01
0.01
0.02
0.02
Zinc
12
12
12
11
7
14
17
14
Chromium
0.2
0.04
0.06
0.16
0.04
0.03
0.03
0.02
Phosphorus
12 11
12
14
11
13
13
11
Lead
0.1
1.1
0.32
0.79
0.31
0.1
0.3 0.4
Mercury
0.04 0.
08
0.24
0.22
0.05
0.03
0.04
0.06
Cadmium
0.03
0.06
0.03
0.07
0.04
0.06 0.02
0.05
Aluminum
1.5
0.5
4.9
7.4
1.00
1.1
1.2 0.9
Nickel
0.1
0.1
0.11
.19
0.2
0.18
0.17 0.19
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