Homeopathy is a holistic medical system that focuses on using natural medicines / substances to treat the individual as a whole. The aim is not simply to get rid of symptoms that are uncomfortable or harmful, but to stimulate the innate self-healing capacity of the body to move progressively towards more and more efficient functioning.
Homeopathy is extremely well-aligned to a harm-reduction model in the treatment of drug addiction. The harm reduction model recognizes that addictive use of drugs (illicit or prescribed) is a component of a broader ‘survival strategy’ of the individual, and that abstinence from drug use without addressing the psychological, social and other factors underpinning their use will, in many cases, result in ‘relapse’. It further recognizes that each person’s path to life normalization will differ, depending on the range of inter-related factors that underlie the addictive use of drugs. In deference to this, a holistic approach to treatment is taken, where methodone – a less harmful alternative – is given to replace the ‘effect’ of opioid drugs and medical, psychological and social support is simultaneously offered to the drug user to place them in a position in which they are able to start reclaiming their life and passion.
Homeopathy complements the harm reduction model by foregrounding the individual: that the ‘story’ of each person is different, the role of addiction in the individual’s life is different, and the journey towards recovery is also going to be different. In every single case treated by homeopathy, the emphasis is on all the factors that make the individual case unique. Where is the patient/client at this point in his/her life? How did he/she get here? How has this intelligent and dynamic system adjusted to the various stresses and strains of their existence? How might we best be able to support their current state, and gently coax them towards increasingly efficient ways of being? This line of inquiry ensures that the homeopathic therapeutic process is extremely individual-focused, responsive and directed by the patient/client’s response to remedies within a healing ‘journey’. Homeopathic practitioners, in turn, are trained to track this journey and to provide appropriate support through counselling, remedies and referral, as appropriate.
The homeopathic services that have been offered at the Bellhaven Harm Reduction Centre since August 2021 include complete medical assessment and homeopathic treatment of a variety of health concerns. These include a broad range of diseases of the skin, digestive and respiratory systems, as well as headaches, menstrual difficulties, sexually transmitted disease, sleep disorders and withdrawal effects associated with reduction of illicit opioid use and transition to methodone. Where appropriate, patients/clients are referred to appropriate municipal diagnostic and other support services (e.g. in suspected TB, HIV and other STIs).
Free services have been offered on Wednesday and Saturday morning by final-year Master of Health Sciences homeopathy students of DUT, under the professional guidance of experienced homeopathic clinicians, Prof. Ashley Ross and Dr. Corne Hall. As the provision of services to the community expands to include private patients, homoeopathic consultations will be provided by registered homeopathic practitioners with experience in patient management within an inter-disciplinary harm-reduction model (including referral between health professionals, psychologists and social workers, as appropriate) as a component of the integrated service.