Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: June | Volume: 9 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 164-170
Herbal Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder - An Experiment in Tamilnadu, South India
Victor Jayaseelan1, Christopher2
1Founder & Director, Moonlight Alco Care Foundation, Vadanallur, Uthiramerur, Kanchipuram District, Tamilnadu, South India 603406
2Former Head, Dept of Social Work, Sacred Heart College, Tirupattur, Tamilnadu, South India 635601
Corresponding Author: Victor Jayaseelan
ABSTRACT
Background: One of the most perplexing problems in the society is alcohol use disorder. This problem affects the rural folk, especially the marginalized sections of the communities, farm laborers in Tamilnadu, South India. The farm laborers spend 70% of their wages for consumption of alcohol. This affects family, friends, neighbors, coworkers and even strangers too. Every year 13.5% of deaths occur unawares among the age group 20-39 years. This study set out to assess the improvement in clinical signs such as tremors, insomnia etc. applying herbal treatment with Cassia Auriculata among chronic alcohol patients.
Methodology: This was a quasi experimental study involving 60 chronic alcohol patients from three villages in Uthiramerur Taluk in Kanchipuram district of Tamilnadu. Stratified disproportionate sampling method was followed. Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST) was administered to determine the status of the respondents. Those who scored more than three were selected. A social worker administered semi-structured interview schedule was used for data collection. The interview schedule dealt with five components of physiological deterioration induced by alcohol. An herbal treatment with Cassia Auriculata was carried out for 10 days. Data were collected pre and post herbal treatment. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.
Results: Findings: The findings showed that herbal treatment made remarkable improvement in the reduction of physiological deteriorations in physical appearance, gastrointestinal system, liver, cardiovascular system and central nervous system.
Conclusion: Herbal treatment for alcohol use disorder helped the chronic alcohol patients to regain their sober life. It can be continued if follow up steps are maintained.
Key words: alcohol abuse disorder, herbal intervention, physiological deterioration and social work.