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Vitamins For Drug & Alcohol Withdrawals

Studies show drug detox vitamins are important and essential elements of a successful detox and sobriety. There is a strong need to address the nutritional needs of former addicts throughout their detox and recovery. Alcohol treatment centers may use recovery vitamins and supplements for addiction treatment as a part of a withdrawal management program for clients who are detoxing and recovering from drug addiction.

Drug and alcohol abuse wreak havoc on the body’s nutrient levels. Diminished nutritional levels may produce symptoms for the recovering addict or alcoholic.  Detoxing from a substance may be a long and painful process, but it is necessary before individuals can move forward in their recovery. To lessen pain and discomfort, some people use nutritional supplements for support during this process.

 

Drug Use Causes Nutritional Imbalances  

Different types of addiction may deplete certain essential nutrients in the body. People struggling with opiate (opioid) addiction may be low in vitamins B and C.  People recovering from stimulant withdrawal may need vitamins B and C along with multivitamins.

Individuals who are withdrawing from alcohol may need multivitamins along with vitamin B1 to prevent cognitive issues. Vital nutrients such as carbohydrates (carbs), fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals are required for the human body to function properly.  Infusions of drug detox vitamins may help restore nutrition levels. Lacking healthy diets during their addiction, former addicts are malnourished. Opiate-dependent people may be unable to break down carbohydrates. Opiate abusers may also suffer chronic constipation during their addiction.

While undergoing detox, addicts may suffer nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which can further deplete nutrients and hydration levels.  Vitamins are best absorbed through a healthy diet. Since nausea is a frequent symptom of opiate withdrawal, it is unlikely that these patients can consume sufficient nutrients by eating.

Vitamins and mineral supplements for opiate recovery are essential to provide bodies with necessary nutrients. Using vitamins to help detox from opiates can help rebuild people’s immune systems and encourage a more efficient release of toxins.

Methamphetamine (meth) users often have dangerously low supplies of vitamin B5, vitamin B12, and vitamin C. Such vitamins for meth users may help ease the withdrawal process. Some drug detox vitamins are particularly helpful for opiate, stimulant, THC, and alcohol recovery. Vitamins for meth withdrawal can be useful, as is a supplement or vitamin for methadone users.

Some people may not be aware that THC dependency a dependency on the substances in marijuana, can also deplete the body’s reserves of essential nutrients. Poor nutritional habits may deplete the body of nutrients such as B vitamins, vitamin C, calcium, and magnesium.

 

Essential Detox Vitamins 

Certain nutrients known as drug detox vitamins are particularly helpful for opiate, stimulant, THC, and alcohol recovery:

Vitamin C — One helpful vitamin for recovering alcoholics and drug addicts is vitamin C, providing that one does not develop a vitamin C addiction.

Abusing drugs and alcohol depletes the body’s stores of vitamin C. Since vitamin C restores the immune system, it is important to replenish reserves as soon as possible.  Some symptoms commonly associated with withdrawal are feelings of deep fatigue and depression. Infusions of vitamin C may help relieve these symptoms.

B vitamins — Since B vitamins keep the nervous system healthy, their absence can cause additional stress and deplete energy levels. Restoring healthy B vitamin levels may help aid the digestive tract and return the body to its normal state.  These vitamins (B1, B3, B5, and B12) combine to convert sugar into energy and to produce healthy blood cells.

What vitamins should a recovering alcoholic take?  Vitamin B1 (thiamine) may combat depression, fatigue, and cognitive impairment. It may be among the effective vitamins for alcohol recovery.

B vitamins may aid in addiction recovery because they may alleviate some of the worst symptoms of withdrawal and recovery. Instead of ingesting each B vitamin individually, recovering drug addicts can combine them and consume them as a multivitamin.

Vitamin E — Vitamins drugs may combat stress and act as antioxidants to battle skin and tissue damage. Vitamins and supplements may restore normal blood circulation for a recovering drug addict.

Magnesium and calcium — Once people restore magnesium and calcium levels, they may decrease their anxiety and the condition of their nervous systems. Recovering drug addiction clients may thus see improvement if they take magnesium or calcium supplements.

Vitamins D and A — These vitamins support the body and protect against skin damage and wounds from injection sites or from skin picking.  Until vitamin D levels are restored, a recovering addict may not be a candidate for methadone therapy or other forms of treatment.

Multivitamins — Many drug and alcohol-addicted patients enter the recovery process in a state of malnutrition. Their bodies may lack the nutrients needed for optimal health.

Recovering from drug addiction and alcoholism requires assistance.  A steady infusion of multivitamin drug detox vitamins may restore depleted nutrients during the crucial, early stages of withdrawal and recovery. They may help ease depression and help bodies absorb needed nutrients and return to normal functioning.

 

Addiction and Malnutrition: A Dangerous Combination

Malnutrition is a common problem associated with addiction. This is especially true of people who are addicted to drugs such as cocaine, meth, and heroin. They may have altered metabolisms, may not have appetites, may forget to eat, or may not eat because their drug use is taking priority over everything else, including nutrition.

Certain types of drugs, such as cocaine, can block the absorption of nutrients. Nutrient deficiencies may lower the immune system, damage system functions, and cause depression or anxiety.  THC dependency increases the appetite but increases it for cravings, not nutritious food.

In such cases, people may appear overweight but may still show signs of malnutrition.  Alcoholics consume empty calories from the sugar and other ingredients in alcohol. They may have weight problems but may still be malnourished.  Drugs and alcohol may damage the body’s systems so harshly that even if addicts consume nutritious meals while they are using, they may not be able to absorb vitamins and minerals.

Stimulants such as cocaine and meth may greatly suppress the appetite and cause extreme weight loss. Addicts and alcoholics may often suffer from dehydration and a lack of sleep.  Depending on the amount of weight they have lost, returning to healthy diets may be difficult. Drug detox vitamins may be a desirable way to add nutrients until people are healthy enough to obtain nutrients through regular diets.

Nutritional Detox: A Healthy Choice  

The body needs the opportunity to return to proper nutritional levels during the withdrawal process. Medical professionals can determine the nutrients that are missing and can provide the proper vitamins and minerals to help clients undergo withdrawal and recovery and return their bodies to their normal states.

Substance abuse causes severe damage to the mind and body. It can contribute to poor nutrition that causes further harm. Along with other assistance for the withdrawal process, drug detox vitamins are an important resource. People may wonder are vitamins drugs, but they may be helpful tools.

To help clients resume a healthy lifestyle following detox, it is important to establish proper nutrition.  Methods of post-program maintenance such as methadone treatment may not be useful unless people restore vitamins and minerals.  As part of a healthy regimen, vitamins for addiction recovery may play a big role in restoring health.

Have any questions or concerns?  If so, make sure to reach out to us today to have all of your questions answered.

Medical disclaimer:

Sunshine Behavioral Health strives to help people who are facing substance abuse, addiction, mental health disorders, or a combination of these conditions. It does this by providing compassionate care and evidence-based content that addresses health, treatment, and recovery.

Licensed medical professionals review material we publish on our site. The material is not a substitute for qualified medical diagnoses, treatment, or advice. It should not be used to replace the suggestions of your personal physician or other health care professionals.

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