Kudzu, High blood pressure, withdrawal

[randyjo]

My dad has recently asked me for help in getting off alcohol.  He has been a chronic alcoholic for 20 years and in the past year excessively heavy drinking.  By chronic I mean a 12 pack of beer a day, everyday for 20 years.  By excessively heavy I mean 24 beers every work day, and 24-40 on non working days.  A program is not a viable option, nor is seeking medical treatment initially, if medical help were needed it would be sought.  I have read a lot about Kudzu Root and wonder if anyone else has taken it?  Dad has hypertension, and it is known to reduce blood pressure.  He is very concerned about it dipping too low.  Has anyone has any experience with this supplement?

[ibizan]

Bravo gentlemen!Agree with u both 150%!

[Wade72]

I have to agree with Burrpatch, very few people can quit drinking without some form of help.  20 years of 12 – 40 beers a day needs medical help for the detox then psychological help to teach him new more appropriate ways to live his life without alcohol.  Also to find out why he is using the alcohol in the first place.

Medical help in this case is not an option, it is a necessity.  I work at a drug and alcohol rehab here in Thailand and see the worst of it, many time people fall off the airplane when they get here.  If they have been drinking that much for that long it is not something to take lightly, they need to be monitored by trained professionals while detoxing.  I also agree that the idea of tapering their drinking is a nice dream but doesn’t work, and with a proper detox facility they can safely be detoxed in a short period of time even if they have to be heavily sedated for a week.

Now due to my job and taking care of the intakes for the clinic I work at I generally try not to scare a user since it is not productive.  However when I am talking to the family I try to be a little more straight forward so here it goes.

Your father has been drinking excessively for 20 years.  I am assuming he is over 40 probably closer to 50.  You say a treatment facility is not an option, nor is medical help!  Why don’t you think about what you have said, I can understand the costs of a treatment facility might be out of your reach, depending on where you are at in the world possibly not available locally.  A medical doctor however?  If you are living in a 3rd world country and can afford 12-40 beers a day and you have an internet connection, you can afford a doctor.  If your in a first world country which I am assuming you are in Canada or the USA by your spelling, then there is plenty of free clinics if you can’t afford a private one.

If the time factor is the reason that you say a rehab is not a option, then ask yourself this, he is 40+ how much time does he have if he continues to drink the amount he has been?  His liver is already damaged, the BP problems are probably from the alcohol consumption. Now I am not saying it is too late but if he has asked for help it is high time to get you butt moving and get him the help, some herbal supplement or a pill will not make it all go away.  You might find he is open to options once you speak to him some about it, if your to young to be affective try to get one of your other family members or his friends, minister, doctor, or if all else fails bring in an interventionist.

I find once someone has asked you for help it is now up to you to do everything to get them the help they need.  His life really does depend on it.

[Burrpatch]

The problem is that " The Alcoholic " can't Control his or her drinking and although the idea of slowly cutting back until they are ready to receive further help may sound like a good Idea , it sadly does not work.  Instead " The Alcoholic " continues to spiral down the path of destruction and insanity with almost no hope of recovery unless " The Alcoholic " receives an intervention of some sort. This can be his own moment of clarity that bring many addicts to the realization that they need help and they cant do it on their own , or family confronting the addict , or even a jail cell. Regardless of what it is that brings the addict to seek sobriety , one thing is a constant , he or she cannot do it on their own for any significant amount of time without the assistance of a comprehensive program. This has been proven time and time again. Heck , I've proved it dozen's of times with my own arrogance!! ....... Burrpatch.

[working dog]

i have to wonder ....is all of a sudden stopping drinking after drinking that much all the time safe even with help...making your body and mind adjust that fast...i don't know....i would think cutting down slowly over maybe three to six months untill he could get down to about six or so beers a day...then get help and quit...good luck....billy

[ibizan]

very well put Burr!so true.....so vitally true!glad ur still with us here!:)

[Burrpatch]

"A program is not a viable option, nor is seeking medical treatment initially, if medical help were needed it would be sought. "..............
Excuse me if I come across as Blunt , but "a program" for a 20 year alcoholic is your "Only Option" and not only is seeking medical attention vital for more reason's than i can count and MORE than "Needed" , but MUST be sought. Detoxing from a 20 year drunk is no game and many , many , many things can " Go Wrong ".  Ive been rushed to the hospital from a detox program that did not have a full medical staff on site on two different occasions for wildly fluctuating blood pressure as well as heart palpitations and severe nausea. I hope that you find the help that you and your father seek.         ........ Burrpatch.

[boogieman]

Hello. As previously stated, your best (and safest) bet is to have an assessment performed by a competent physician to determine the need for medical supervision. The potential  complications of acute detoxification from alcohol include highly elevated bp, increased pulse rate, visual/auditory hallucinations, seizures, and death (usually from cardiac arrest). When a person suddenly stops sedating themselves with alcohol, the nervous system more or less goes into shock. These effects can occur or last for several days. Additionally, the experience can be bad enough for some to abandon their efforts and drink to relieve the physical and mental torment of withdrawal. Please do your dad and yourself a favor and check out your options. Best of luck--gm  

[Jacker]

As a longer term thing, his high BP should improve once he is off the alcohol.  I think that a doctors help is advisable for this situation though.

[ibizan]

Googled and found Kudos for Kudzu.it specifically stated that in the instance of a person with heart problems,do not attempt to self treat.See ur doctor.

[ibizan]

it is sheer folly and ill advised for one who has drank for 20 years with high blood pressure to take a herbal supplement minus medical attention!who treats the hypertension?if he stopped drinking minus professional help and medical attention he could go in2 withdrawal and some have almost died from this minus medical monitoring!