The timeline of detoxification varies between individuals and depends on the duration and extent of their drinking behavior. It may also depend on any other physical and mental health issues an individual has. Supplements can help reduce alcohol cravings by addressing nutritional deficiencies, regulating neurotransmitters, and providing antioxidant support, among other mechanisms.
Nutritional Therapy for Alcohol Addiction
- For example, their body may become dependent on the alcohol, and their brain chemistry may change.
- Although research is ongoing, there’s some evidence that milk thistle can help reduce the symptoms of cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis.
- The process was worthwhile because every now and then, I would discover a miracle supplement that would catapult my sense of well-being to new heights.
- I found relief over time, gradually, and I tried many that did not work.
- Lack of vitamin B1 can cause a life-threatening condition called Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
- More research is needed, but early studies suggest that CBD may help with pain management, anxiety, alcohol cravings, and even liver and brain damage linked to excessive drinking.
Certain vitamins are vital to repairing and building cells required for bodily functions. People who drink alcohol are at higher risk of calcium deficiency, since alcohol interferes with your body’s ability to properly absorb this vital nutrient. This can increase the chances of developing osteoporosis, especially for women.
Why Alcohol Abuse Causes Vitamin Deficiency
The commitment Shiling has made to patient care also has a personal component. He was a patient at CeDAR in 2009 for treatment of a heroin addiction. He also successfully advocated for adding thiamine to the initial order set for physicians. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Other Beneficial Supplements for Drinkers
- The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved or otherwise endorsed by our advertisers.
- Alcohol detoxification should ideally take place in a medically supervised setting, such as a detox facility or inpatient treatment center for medically supervised detox.
- Consult your healthcare provider if your drinking can compromise the medication or supplements you’re currently taking and vice-versa.
- Drinking too much on a single occasion or over time can severely impact your health.
Although there is little data about the benefit of vitamin B1 on alcohol withdrawal cravings, supplementing with vitamin B1 is important to avoid complications from alcohol use. When recovering from alcohol addiction, fixing these nutrient deficiencies for your overall health is important. A lack of vitamin B9 can trigger anemia and make you weak, tired, and moody. Folic acid is in foods like enriched bread, flour, cornmeal, pasta, rice, and breakfast cereals. Veggies, fruits, fruit juices, nuts, beans, and peas naturally have folate. Chronic alcohol use causes the body to excrete too much magnesium and other electrolytes through urination, often resulting in a magnesium deficiency.
- Other new habits, such as regular exercise, mindfulness practice, and a healthier diet, can all contribute to boosting your health in recovery.
- For those recovering from alcoholism, incorporating omega-3 fatty acids into their diet can aid in repairing alcohol-induced damage to the brain and promote overall mental well-being.
- If a person gets too much thiamine, the body simply gets rid of it through the call of nature.
- Heavy drinking can disrupt the body’s ability to properly absorb B vitamins, which help to support heart function, healthy skin, digestion, and energy production.
- If your goal is to begin an empowering, holistic adventure to start living your best life beyond booze, check out Total Alcohol Recovery 2.0.
- This time, I drank it before dinner while cooking—true to its original purpose.
- Amino acids, the building blocks of protein, may help to reduce the severity of symptoms of alcohol withdrawal during the acute detoxification process.
Some vitamins can provide significant benefits to counter some of the adverse effects of drinking. One option is high doses of oral vitamin B supplementation, which can help correct deficiencies without causing adverse effects. However, these supplements may not provide enough vitamin B1, which is essential for preventing a condition called Wernicke’s encephalopathy (WE), a medical emergency. Therefore, doctors treating individuals detoxing from alcohol might prescribe additional treatments with vitamin B1.
A mental health crisis: UCHealth pumps more than $150 million into behavioral health care
While taking vitamins can’t “cure” the consequences of increased alcohol intake, they play a critical role in the recovery of chronic alcoholics. If you’re currently dealing with AUD, it’s recommended that you talk with a healthcare professional about getting help. They can provide the necessary support and guidance throughout your recovery. Taking supplements like vitamin C, NAC, and GABA may help replenish your nutrient stores, potentially reducing your cravings and easing your withdrawal symptoms. Information provided on Forbes Health is for educational purposes only. Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances.
Your insurance plan may cover some or all of the cost of treatment for drug or alcohol addiction. Our online health insurance verification system will estimate your in-network and out-of-network deductibles, coinsurance percentages and out-of-pocket maximums. Within 5 minutes, you’ll receive an email with these details – free of charge.
- Certain herbal supplements, some of which can be found in multivitamins, may help support healthy liver function and potentially help to reduce the urge to drink.
- It may be helpful to increase your intake of vitamins such as B1, B12, C, and E, which can assist in liver recovery and reduce alcohol-induced oxidative stress.
- Chronic, heavy drinking can reduce taurine levels in the body, and adding it back in appears to help with withdrawal symptoms and detox.
- You’ll need to be especially careful not to replace alcohol with sugar or caffeine.
- Multivitamins can help support physical health in people who are healthy, as well as people with substance use issues who have certain vitamin deficiencies.
- Excessive alcohol consumption can damage the liver and impair its ability to function correctly, leading to a condition called alcoholic liver disease.
- These deficiencies can impact your vision, bones, blood, and even lead to severe neurological damage.
Can vitamins protect the brain from alcohol’s adverse effects?
Ensuring you receive enough iron is essential for the production of healthy red blood cells and maintaining your overall energy levels. Long-term alcohol abuse can negatively impact your bone health, leading to best vitamin for alcoholics issues like osteoporosis. It is important to replenish vitamin D, which helps your body absorb calcium and maintain strong bones.