Vitamins for Alcoholics: Liver Recovery and Withdrawal

vitamins for recovering alcoholics

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. It also increases the number of acetylcholine and dopamine receptors in your brain (2-7). I personally have experience vitamins for recovering alcoholics with tobacco, nicotine, alcohol, stimulant, benzodiazepines and antidepressant dependence, addiction and withdrawal. Good nutrition during recovery is important; however, good dietary practices rarely happen accidentally. A good plan is essential to maximize the benefit of changing your diet and stick with the changes during recovery. So, adding these vitamins can aid in your recovery and help prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

vitamins for recovering alcoholics

Vitamin B1 to the rescue to ward off damage from alcohol

Alcohol doesn’t just increase the bad bacteria in your gut; it weakens the tight junctions in your intestinal lining leading to Leaky Gut. This allows those bad bacteria and toxins to pass into your bloodstream—a condition known as leaky gut. Over time, this can trigger autoimmune issues, drug addiction treatment weight gain, nutrient malabsorption, inflammation, and chronic health problems. A lot of people reach for a drink to unwind, but the irony is that alcohol ramps up stress when you’re NOT drinking. Just 2-3 drinks once a week can trigger your adrenal glands to release more cortisol—the body’s main stress hormone—when you’re sober. This leaves you feeling more anxious and on edge when not drinking, and since cortisol is a fat-storing hormone, it can also contribute to weight gain and increased perceived stress.

vitamins for recovering alcoholics

Gut-Healthy Foods: Repairing The Digestive System

vitamins for recovering alcoholics

When combined with counseling, this approach is proven highly effective. In addition, vitamin C’s antioxidant properties can neutralize harmful free radicals and reverse cell damage. Too little could eventually cause serious learning and memory problems, a condition called Wernicke-Korsakoff’s syndrome. Eat beans, peas, lentils, pork, brown rice, and fortified foods like breakfast cereal. Not getting enough of this vitamin can lead to anemia, depression, confusion, and a weak immune system. Poultry, fish, non-citrus fruit, and starchy vegetables such as potatoes are good sources.

vitamins for recovering alcoholics

Herbal Supplements

vitamins for recovering alcoholics

A doctor may recommend taking supplements to help them through the detoxification process. Over time, better social connections can form, but at first, a person may need to make changes to their social life, such as staying away from places or people that are linked to drinking. Recovery also gives people a chance to learn more about themselves and grow. Recovery entails more than just quitting alcohol; it also includes meeting basic human needs, strengthening social and spiritual life, and restoring bodily and mental health. This comprehensive approach seeks to improve overall quality of life and well-being.

Fatty Liver Disease

  • Unfortunately, the average multivitamin is not enough to put an end to withdrawals.
  • Meal planning in recovery is not just about physical nourishment but also about establishing a routine that supports sobriety and well-being.
  • Deficiency in folate can result in megaloblastic anemia—a condition where red blood cells are larger than normal and not fully developed.
  • Incorporating a variety of fruits and vegetables into your daily diet ensures a wide array of these beneficial compounds.

Before starting any vitamin routine, it is strongly recommended that you consult your doctor about what kind of vitamins would best suit your particular health situation. Your physician will also be able to provide specific guidance on which dosages https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/diabetes-and-alcohol-can-diabetics-get-drunk/ you should take and how frequently they should be taken throughout the day. If you have any dietary restrictions or allergies this will influence the type of vitamins you ultimately choose as well. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of Sober Recovery’s “Terms of Use”, “Privacy Policy”, “Cookie Policy”, and “Health Disclaimer”. The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. Dihydromyricetin (DHM) is an over-the-counter herbal remedy well-known for soothing hangovers.

  • And although alcohol itself does not limit the absorption of minerals, alcohol-related problems can result in deficiencies of calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc.
  • Doctors may recommend multivitamin supplements containing B1, B2, B3, B6, and vitamin C.
  • Citicoline is a key supplement that helps to support optimal brain function.
  • It’s important to point out that many prescription drugs are anticholinergic, meaning they reduce acetylcholine in the brain.
  • Alcohol impacts neurotransmitters in the brain, specifically gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate, which regulate excitability and inhibition.

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