Clinical evaluation of homoeopathic medicines in the
management of
withdrawal symptoms of drug dependents
Objectives: The objective of the
study was to evaluate the efficacy of homoeopathic medicines in the management of
withdrawal symptoms of drug dependents.
Methods: The study was carried out by Central Council
for Research in Homoeopathy at its Clinical Research Unit, Varanasi (U.P.). Out
of 261 drug dependent patients referred from Nav-Chetna Drug De-addiction centre,
Varanasi, 20 cases dropped out whereas 241 were followed up from September 1988
to March 1994. All the cases were in the age group of 12-52 years and all,
except one, were males. Treatment was started only after motivating the
patients and also after seeking their family support. Clinical examinations of
the cases were done. The medicines were administered usually 8-12 hours after
abstinence of drug substance abused, where withdrawal symptoms became obvious.
Prescription was made on the basis of totality of symptoms of the individual
case.
Results: Out of 241 cases
followed up regularly; 209 cases showed improvement in withdrawal symptoms
whereas 32 cases did not improve. Rhus toxicodendron (n=85) was found to be
most effective medicine. Other medicines found effective were Avena sativa
(n=43), Nux vomica (n=34), Arsenic album (n=26), Bryonia alba (n=8) and
Chamomilla (n=7). Rhus toxicodendron, Arsenic album, Chamomilla were found to
be effective in 10M potency, Bryonia alba & Nux vomica in 200C potency and
Avena sativa in mother-tincture.
Conclusion: The outcome of the
study shows that homoeopathic medicines are efficacious in the management of
withdrawal symptoms of drug dependents and can check the menace of the chemical
dependency. The results have prompted CCRH to take up this study in
collaboration with Society for Promotion of Youth and Masses (SPYM) from April
2008.
Keywords: homoeopathy; drug dependents; withdrawal
symptoms; narcotics
Yoginder Rai , Clinical Research Unit, Varanasi
(U.P.)