Vitamins for Alcoholics: Liver Recovery and Withdrawal

The term “rehabilitation” is a set of steps taken to reverse the effects and damages caused by alcoholism – physically, mentally, emotionally, and otherwise. Build a network of positive influences that would improve your self-esteem. A supportive and dedicated group of friends is a great backbone, especially in long term abstinence. Attending support groups and communicating positively helps to maintain sobriety. These are some of the best ways on how to help someone with a drinking problem.

• By identifying the cues and triggers that make us crave drinking, we can begin to predict, prepare for and act against a large subset of triggers.
• Alcohol cravings are composed of several thoughts, physical sensations, and/or emotions that increase the urge or desire to want to drink, even if a person does not want to drink.
• It’s important to note that withdrawing from alcohol can be particularly dangerous, especially if you’ve been drinking heavily for a long period of time.
• By protecting liver cells and promoting regeneration, Milk Thistle helps speed up the natural detoxification process.
• Active indulgences heighten cravings as people give in to the need to keep their blood alcohol at a high level, where they can easily escape from withdrawal symptoms.

Most commonly used to treat depression, St. John’s wort may also help curb the urge to drink. Similar to ashwagandha, holy basil may help alleviate anxiety from alcohol withdrawal. Disulfiram is a pill that causes unpleasant side effects when combined with alcohol. Internal triggers are thoughts, feelings, sensations, and beliefs inside you that feed your cravings for alcohol. As your cravings for alcohol become more manageable, you may decide to try reintroducing situations that previously triggered your temptation to drink. These cravings can be frustrating if you’re trying to cut down on alcohol, drink less or stop drinking completely, but they are quite normal.

Herbal Approaches to Alcohol Dependence: Evidence and Risks

In addition to reducing daily drinking, naltrexone has been shown to reduce alcohol cravings as a measurable symptom (3). In the United States, three drugs are approved by the Food and Drug Administration https://ecosoberhouse.com/ (FDA) for the general treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD), including cravings (2). A physician or other qualified healthcare provider can assess whether one of the following medications can help you.

Some studies have been done on d-phenylalanine, finding it improves alcohol withdrawal symptoms. The fiber-rich, complex carbohydrates in whole-grain breads and foods like brown rice, quinoa, barley, and farro are digested more slowly, which help keep blood sugar levels steady. This is key to keeping cravings under control, especially when your body is used to using alcohol as a quick form of fuel. Even when you’ve resolved not to drink or to drink less, temptations to have a drink are normal, and the interaction of alcohol with the body’s own biochemistry makes the desire to keep drinking very predictable. Understanding and recognizing these factors will help you reduce or manage cravings more effectively.

Steps an Alcohol Addict Can Take to Reduce Cravings

This is another popular home remedy for alcoholism, which enables you to reduce the ill effects of alcoholism, along with rejuvenating the liver tissues. Dandelion also facilities the normal production of bile and stimulates its flow. It contains the polysaccharide insulin, which enhances the body’s immunity and the production of white blood cells.

One of the active ingredients in milk thistle extract is silymarin, which may improve liver function in people with alcohol use disorder. Bananas are rich in vitamin B6, which the body needs to produce and use serotonin. This neurotransmitter is key to reducing depression and anxiety—common reasons people use alcohol and also common issues that arise when quitting alcohol (4). While none of these herbs are an “instant” fix for alcohol addiction, they can ultimately make it easier to quit once you make that decision yourself. It will take a lot of hard work and determination, but it’s never too late to drop a bad habit out of your life for good. Approximately 18 million Americans are addicted to alcohol, and information from the World Health Organization shows that there are 140 million people in the world with alcohol disorders.

Find Effective, Evidence-Based Treatment in the Relay Program for Alcohol Addiction

Vitamins are essential for aiding the liver after alcohol misuse by helping with detoxification, regeneration, and metabolism. When I asked two months later about his beer drinking, he first gave me a blank look, then lit up and exclaimed, “Funny you should ask. While we are unable to respond to your feedback directly, we’ll use this information to improve our online help. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information. We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand.

Common side effects of Disulfiram include drowsiness, tiredness, headache, skin rash, swollen tongue, metallic taste, numbness of limbs, extreme mood swings, seizures. Anyone who is struggling with a serious drinking problem should seek professional care. The effects of cocaine are usually very short-lived, but the duration depends on how it’s administered. This article dives into specific details about how long the effects last and why the short-term pleasure is not worth the long-term pain. When you call our team, you will speak to a Recovery Advocate who will answer any questions and perform a pre-assessment to determine your eligibility for treatment.

Milk Thistle is a flowering herb known for its ability to support liver health. When individuals quit drinking, their liver needs to detoxify the body and repair any damage caused by alcohol. Milk Thistle contains a compound called silymarin, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can aid in the healing process.

It’s important to note that you may or may not be aware of these external triggers as reasons for your alcohol cravings. Taking supplements like vitamin C, NAC, and GABA may help replenish your nutrient stores, potentially reducing your cravings and easing your withdrawal symptoms. Reaching a state of recovery after being actively addicted to alcohol is a major accomplishment. It is important to remember that remaining in recovery, however, is a life-long responsibility that requires a great deal of patience and focus.

Let’s talk about your recovery

Prescription medications can be a useful tool in treating alcohol cravings. Supplements can help reduce alcohol cravings by addressing nutritional deficiencies, regulating neurotransmitters, and providing antioxidant support, among other mechanisms. For his convenience, I later shifted him over to my Brain Recovery AM & PM formula. Participating in a mutual-help group like Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) or another 12-step program can offer even more support.

Alcoholic cravings are an overwhelming compulsion to drink alcoholic beverages. An active drinker, with time, loses the will to fight alcoholic cravings. Active indulgences heighten cravings as people give in to the need to keep their blood alcohol at a high level, where they can easily escape from withdrawal symptoms. Selenium deficiency is common in those who struggle with alcohol, especially if they have liver disease. Limited information is available about whether selenium is helpful in those who struggle with alcohol or during alcohol withdrawal.

The Cost of Treatment vs. The Cost of Drinking

Milk thistle has long been used to assist with detoxification and to strengthen the liver’s ability to remove alcohol from the blood. The University of Maryland’s Health Center reports that some studies looking at milk thistle to treat alcoholic liver disease have found significant improvements in liver function 1. Although the herb does not appear to be effective for those with severe liver disease, mild disorders or occasional occurrences such as hangovers can be aided by milk thistle’s support.

• Only one third of recovering alcoholics who attend regular Alcoholics Anonymous meetings remain sober for more than one year.
• Some common triggers are negative emotions, bars and drinking spots, social events, being around friends, sudden trauma, and stress.
• For some, they pass quickly, while for others, it takes a longer for them to resolve.