Seven Weeks to Sobriety: The Proven Program to Fight Alcoholism Through Nutrition. - book reviews

Nutrition Health Review, Wntr, 1995

Can the addiction to alcohol be conquered by a well-planned, highly nutritious diet -- especially in a seven-week period? Replace natural chemicals without drugs, says the author, and alcohol-induced symptoms will be eliminated.

"Alcoholism is not a character defect," the author contends. "Nor is it the sign of a weak will. It is not a habit that needs to be broken." Dr. Larson is convinced that alcoholism can be cured by undoing the original damage, rooted in the genes and activated by the effect of alcohol on the biochemistry of the brain and body.

In a proper scientific mood, the author establishes sound bases for a workable theory," that an enormous number of well-controlled scientific studies by distinguished researchers the world over has shown that alcohol undermines physical health and mental stability by destroying the vital nutrients responsible for their maintenance. Alcohol studies have shown that alcoholism can be conquered by undoing the damage."

Dr. Larson's theories for rehabilitation, she says, have been tested and proven successful. Fifteen years ago, she founded the Health Recovery Center to test her theory that the missing link in the treatment of alcoholism is detoxification and the refurbishment of the body's nutritional resources.

The book is rich on case histories of men and women whose families had given up in despair, their alcoholic loved ones were reaching the end of their lives. Although Dr. Larson respects the intentions and good work of Alcoholics Anonymous, its strength as a support group does not provide treatment. If alcoholism is both psychological and biological, then other modalities must be brought into play.

The biochemistry of alcoholism, once understood, demands that biochemical principles must be applied. Just as a healthy nonalcoholic requires proper nourishment for body and mind to function, the victim of alcohol has a vulnerability that requires both a compensating diet and psychological support.

The dietary regiment suggested by Dr. Larson has its virtues; she emphasizes the need to avoid deleterious foods and extends her prohibitions to environmental chemicals that could have negative effects on a convalescent lifestyle.

Seven weeks to Sobriety can also be helpful in other ways. The appendix lists a wide range of reading material and sources for the products recommended.