Rehab operator paid ‘body brokers’ in exchange for patients, feds say Los Angeles Times

Another research found that individuals with severe chronic liver disease had high vitamin B12 plasma levels but decreased vitamin B9 plasma levels [53]. Conversely, Gibson et al. [54] has shown that two weeks of moderate consumption of alcohol (i.e., red wine, or vodka) increased tHcy and reduced the statuses of both best vitamins for recovering alcoholics vitamin B9 and B12. In addition, other studies have studied vitamin B status as well [55,56,57]. For example, Van der Gaag et al. [55] showed that type-dependent alcohol had no effect on vitamin B12, but a fall in folate with spirits consumption and an increase in vitamin B6 with all alcohol types were observed.

• Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a compound that naturally occurs in the cannabis plant.
• In contrast, Laufer et al. [56] only showed an effect of ethanol on vitamin B12, with no effect on vitamin B9.
• The escalation of substance abuse comes with increasingly severe cravings and the inability to control consumption despite building negative consequences.

What is alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS)?

In contrast, Laufer et al. [56] only showed an effect of ethanol on vitamin B12, with no effect on vitamin B9. However, in another study, Beulens et al. [57] showed that beer drinking raised vitamin B6 and appeared to reduce vitamin B12 levels while having no effect on vitamin B9 levels. However, further studies are required to clarify the relationship between alcohol consumption and the intake of vitamin B to be able to provide nutritional management strategies for chronic liver disease. Individuals who are in recovery from alcohol abuse can greatly benefit from a healthy diet coupled with a robust vitamin regimen. Replenishing vitamins and nutrients in a body depleted by alcoholism can help boost energy levels and diminish unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, helping greatly with the recovery process.

How Does Nutritional Therapy Help?

• There hasn’t been a lot of research on the role of nutritional therapy in recovery from substance use yet.
• Theanine is available in this anti-anxiety supplement, along with a number of other natural compounds that have helped me manage my anxiety over the years.
• People often ask me if I still take all of the supplements I’ve written about.

Unfortunately, most people don’t consume enough omega-3 fatty acids through their diet. That’s why I recommend people supplement with krill oil, a special kind of fish oil that contains the essential omega-3 fatty acids. I find that I have a brighter outlook on life when I take krill oil consistently. Smokers have lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids, and treatment with fish significantly reduces their level of dependence (25, 28). Considering all of this, it’s not too surprising that it has anti-addictive properties and can help reduce withdrawal symptoms. Citicoline has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, and enhances the synthesis of acetylcholine and dopamine, which are two neurotransmitters that are critical for optimal brain function.

The Best Vitamins for a Person With Alcohol Use Disorder

In one study, alcoholic patients treated with ALCAR stayed sober for longer because it reduced their cravings (48). Other studies have shown that omega-3 supplements reduce cravings for nicotine and reduce the number of cigarettes people smoke daily (26, 27). They can support your mitochondria and increase your brain’s growth hormone, and have been shown to improve mood, sleep, learning and memory. They also protect against psychiatric disorders including depression, mild cognitive impairment, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (19-21). They’re included in my Free Grocery Shopping Guide for Optimal Brain and Mental Health. To get more magnesium, eat dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds, avocados, bananas, wild salmon, and tuna.

Figure 2 shows the oxidative pathway during ethanol metabolism into the hepatocytes. The health consequences of alcohol intake vary depending on the amount and pattern of consumption. Alcohol depletes and inhibits the absorption of vital nutrients, including vitamins.

Nutritional Side Effects of Unassisted Withdrawal

Caring for your whole self as you overcome alcohol addiction is critical to lasting success. Restoring your body’s nutrient levels after quitting alcohol can benefit both your physical and mental well-being. This contributes to greater stability in recovery, making it easier to stick with sobriety. There’s no way around it—when you drink heavily for a long period, your body takes a hit.

• Regularly consuming alcohol impairs your body’s ability to properly absorb vitamins thereby inducing a variety of substance abuse symptoms such as bone loss, dehydration and more.
• Vitamin E is essential for antioxidant protection, which helps the body neutralize harmful free radicals produced during alcohol metabolism.
• Even short-term addiction can take a huge toll on the body as it is forced to work overtime to eliminate toxic substances and defend itself against the damage they do.
• Additionally, up to 35% of people who have abused drugs or been addicted also struggle with an eating disorder.
• One of the best ways to boost your vitamin D naturally is to spend time in the sun but be sure to use sunscreen to reduce your risk of skin cancer.
• Taking certain supplements during detox may help prevent medical complications and support physical recovery.

Drugs & Supplements

Supplementing your diet with essential minerals like magnesium, zinc, iron, and calcium is a vital aspect of recovery from alcohol use disorder. Ensure you consult with a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate dosages and supplements to support your journey toward better health. Of course, these are only 12 helpful options—there are many vitamins and supplements for alcoholics you can take to aid your system in recovery. We recommend speaking with your doctor about how heavy drinking has impacted your body, and which supplements will be the most safe and useful for you as an individual. Other new habits, such as regular exercise, mindfulness practice, and a healthier diet, can all contribute to boosting your health in recovery. Many people who struggle with their drinking don’t have enough L-glutamine in their systems.

Alcoholics who begin a program of nutrient repair often incorporate a multivitamin, among other supplements, to help cover a wide range of nutritional bases. A potent multivitamin like Legion Triumph is often a good idea, and results are generally even better when combined with amino acids found in supplements like BR Restore. B-vitamins are a good place to start for recovering addicts, who may have deficiencies in these cofactors needed to produce neurotransmitters and feel-good hormones. Alcohol can cause malnutrition, malabsorption, and increased urinary excretion of the vitamin, leading to vitamin C deficiency.9 This deficiency can cause you to feel tired, irritable, and weak. Severe deficiency, called scurvy, may result in anemia, bruising, and dental issues.

Nutrition Recommendations for Those who Consume Alcohol

• Good nutrition in recovery can also boost your mental health—an important factor in maintaining your sobriety.
• Doctors may recommend multivitamin supplements containing B1, B2, B3, B6, and vitamin C.
• While the best way to get the benefits of vitamins is from food, many people take vitamins as pills, liquids, drink mixes, or gummies.
• Substance misuse can have many long-term effects on health and nutrition.
• However, for most micronutrients, part of the information that is required to accurately calculate the daily intake is either unknown or incomplete.

Boulder Medical Center is independently owned and operated, enabling our providers to place patients first. If you consume alcohol regularly and try to stop, you may suffer from anxiety, insomnia, tremors, shakiness, dizziness, and depression. Engaging in regular physical activity can also help alleviate stress and strengthen your journey toward sobriety.

Supplementing Minerals Alongside Vitamins

Most people get plenty of it through their diet or those multivitamin supplements. One of them is chronic alcohol consumption, which often leads people to poor nourishment. That means that the body gets less thiamine and also has greater difficulty absorbing and utilizing what it gets of the vitamin. During alcohol addiction treatment, it’s important that you eat a balanced, healthy diet. Many treatment facilities employ nutritional counselors, who can create a nutrition plan for you to ensure you are replacing all of your depleted vitamins and minerals. If you don’t have access to a nutrition counselor, there are specific foods you can eat to replenish your vitamin levels.