Alcohol Addiction Advice

This information is not intended to replace appropriate professional advice. Please check with your pharmacist if you take prescription drugs.

Many people who struggle with addiction have family history. There is no one to blame, especially not yourself. You can be the one to break the vicious cycle and set yourself free.

Find a hero who has been down the same path – Sean McCann, former singer with Great Big Sea, shares his journey and offers encouragement and inspiration to others online. You are not alone - you may be surprised how many people share your struggle.

Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous provide support for millions of people worldwide. There are meeting both online and in person. Having a sponsor who understands your struggles can make all the difference in the early days of abstinence.

An Alkaline Diet – Plays a significant role in your ability to cope with changes

7-10 glasses of filtered or spring water. Avoid chlorine.
Organic foods are the safest way to nourish yourself – a good investment!
Consume a diet that is 75-80% alkaline forming. A chart is available.
Make antioxidant rich fruits, vegetables, raw seeds and nuts, beans, legumes, and whole grains the mainstays of your diet. Avoid wheat unless sprouted.
Eat heavy proteins no later than lunch for better digestion of amino acids.
Consume 1-3 tbsp of ground flax, hemp or chia seeds.
Fermented foods promote digestion and mental wellness.
Indulge in a small “comfort” sweet a few times a day to reduce cravings.

Supplements - elevate nutrition from adequate to optimum

*Bio-Strath is a wholefood tonic that provides the essential nutrients depleted by alcohol consumption. It reduces stress, corrects pH, and speeds recovery.
Vitamin C – anti-inflammatory, reduces anxiety, and fatigue.
Vitamin D 8,000 IU for one month then reduce to upper limit of 4,000 IU daily - anti-inflammatory, combats depression and anxiety.
Magnesium 200-800 mg daily reduces withdrawal symptoms, improves sleep, and promotes a feeling of calm and wellbeing.
Omega 3 fatty acids – for brain, joint, heart, and digestive health.
Probiotics – intermittent use – digestion, mood, pH balance, immune function.

*Bio-Strath is used by more staff than any other product at Jo Anne’s Place.

Special care during recovery

The following remedies have all proven useful. They can be used on their own or in combination. See what works best for you.

Glutamine - reduces alcohol cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Cayenne reduces alcohol cravings. Use as a culinary spice or supplement.
Holy Basil tea lowers cortisol, promotes well-being, and alleviates depression.
St John’s Wort – increases serotonin, the feel good hormone.
Passionflower promotes overall calm, relieves tension and insomnia.
Homeopathic Rescue Remedy can help cope with cravings in the moment.
Umeboshi plum prepared as a tea can help restore even a severely damaged liver.

Other Suggestions

Enjoy fresh air and exercise. The Earth emits a negatively charged ionic field that promotes balance at subtle levels that’s good for our bodies and psyches. Breathe deeply, exhale thoroughly!
You have the courage to face the fact that you are not happy - time to figure out what makes you happy. Keep a journal to honour your feelings. Celebrate the wins 😊
Create a mantra to remind yourself several times a day of your worth. As you cultivate feelings of self-love & respect the desire for anything harmful will fade.
Recovering from alcohol addiction, or any other illness, is a dynamic process. Don’t focus on what you’re running from but what you’re pushing toward – getting your life back. Good health happens by design, not by accident!
There are lots of non-alcoholic swaps for alcoholic drinks. For example, kombucha is a great alternative for beer as it is also fermented. Mocktails, alcohol-free beer, and adaptogenic drinks are also great. Here are recipes for some functional mocktails!
In summary: Alkalize, detoxify, and renew. Rough patches can either paralyze or galvanize. Look down the road. Where's it leading for you? We are all building our tomorrow today!

*Revised December 2024

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Dried orange slice, crystals, and a pen on a journal page

Healthy Habits For The New Year

By April Allen • December 23, 2025

The start of a new year can come with a lot of pressure to reset, overhaul, and become a 'better' version of yourself overnight. Traditional New Years' resolutions can feel motivating at first, but can quickly become overwhelming and restricting. Did you know that 88% of people fail their resolution within the first 2 weeks? It makes us wonder why. And we think that it's because they are rooted in an all-or-nothing mindset that doesn't leave room for life's unpredictability. And our resolutions are often things we think we SHOULD do (because of pressure from others, societal standards, etc.) and not things that we actually VALUE. It’s important to ensure you are enhancing your wellness in harmony with your surroundings and your reality. At Jo Anne's Place, we believe the new year is less about drastic change and more about gentle intention. A holistic approach to the new year invited you to build healthy habits that support your body, mind, and lifestyle at a pace that feels sustainable for you. Rather than chasing resolutions, this is an opportunity to tune in, reflect, and choose practices that truly support your long-term wellbeing. If setting goals is your thing, we support that! Just remember to keep them realistic and grounded in your values. If setting resolutions isn't for you, here are some gentler ways to step into the new year:

Thriving Through The Season: Our Tips to Stay Well During The Holidays

By April Allen • November 27, 2025

Feeling the Holiday pressure? In the midst of Winter’s chill and the Holiday rush, your own well-being deserves space to breathe. The natural world around us is slowing down, so why shouldn’t we? Winter invites us to turn inward, and it is especially important to support your mental health during these longer, darker days. Did you know that we, as Canadians, are more prone to Seasonal Affective Disorder due to our northern latitude, which results in less sunlight during the winter? The Holiday season can be equal parts joyful and overwhelming. Schedules get busy, routines slip, and we're surrounded by comfort foods and sweet treats. Between gatherings, travel, and to-do lists, our well-being can take a back seat. Here are some simple tips to keep you grounded, nourished, and feeling your best throughout the season: *These suggestions are not intended to replace appropriate professional advice. Please check labels for contraindications and check with your pharmacist if you are on prescription drugs. These suggestions are based on over 40 years of customer experience at Jo Anne’s Place.