I attended the Homeopathic Society reference library to expand on my research into addiction, and how homeopathy can help with cravings, mindset, the miasm or genetic factor and of course, homeopathic detox from drugs and alcohol in general.

This is a topic of great interest to me, not only from my experience with family members but because we live in a society that seems driven by addictions. Whether it is drugs and alcohol or working, fitness and screens, addiction is surely rife in our communities.

The reference library is situated upstairs at the Naturo Pharm premises in Rotorua. On arrival I was welcomed and given a tour of the entire premises, (including the lab) by the lovely ladies at Naturo Pharm.

Then I entered the reference library, and what a treasure it is to behold! Walls lined with books, both past and present, all on homeopathy. Glass cases holding first editions and ancient books from the masters. Vintage dispensing kits. Homoeopathic Pharmacopeia! And boxes and boxes of journals, magazines, provings and papers, all in the embrace of an elegant and comfortable room.

I was left to my own study in the comfort of air-conditioning, a nearby tea room and the convenience of a bathroom situated just to the right of the library.

It was difficult to stay on task with such goodies surrounding me, but I set about looking through the book catalogue for topic appropriate books, and the magazine/article catalogue for past information on my topic.

I found some excellent sources including some very small books on alcoholism and drug addiction. The Spectrum from 2017 (Volume No.1) specifically on Addiction had some very interesting work from Declan Hammond regarding his time working with heroin addicts in Crumlin, Ireland in the late 1990s. Declan spent three years on the Addiction Response Crumlin project which aimed to support detox and rehabilitation of the drug-and-crime-rife community of Crumlin, Dublin with homeopathy being used alongside to support the process overall.

Paul Herscu’s proving on Alcoholis from his first volume of Provings adds to the remedy Materia Medica a remedy which had little information previously.

I also discovered a couple of very small books dedicated to the topics of alcoholism and addiction. One, called ‘Guidelines to the Homeopathic Control of Alcoholism and other Addictions’ by Elvia Bury set out general remedy protocols for the treatment of alcoholism and quitting smoking as well as Materia Medica on the most useful remedies.

Yet another small book, called Alcoholism and its Homeopathic Treatment by Bernoville, talked about miasms in alcoholism. Addiction is recognised now more and more as a disease, and in fact genetic profiling can recognise the gene for addiction.

When I chose this topic I was not sure how much information I would find. Addiction as a rule is guarded in some secrecy and denial and I did not know if this would translate into a lack of sources from which to learn from. Happily, I have added a great deal to my research from my day’s visit, and in actual fact did not get enough time to go through all the past articles which will be my goal next time I attend the library.

One day was certainly not enough to spend soaking in the library, and I intend to return as soon as I can!