Can Supplements Help With Addiction?

Addiction, whether to alcohol, drugs, or other substances, affects millions of lives each year. If you’re thinking to yourself that addiction is uncommon, the reality is far more striking:

• Almost 21 million Americans have at least one addiction
• 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 12 have an alcohol use disorder
• Approximately 3.8% of Americans have an opioid use disorder 

Addiction can strain marriages, sever friendships, derail careers and even put lives at risk. Yet, despite being an immense challenge, recovery is entirely possible. Many find a path to rebuilding their lives, rediscovering strength and restoring balance. A strong nutritional foundation, supported by the right supplements, can play a pivotal role in the healing process, helping to repair both body and mind while setting the stage for long-term well-being. But how does it all work?

How Do Supplements Impact Addiction?

While many view addiction as purely psychological, the reality is far more complex. Historically, drug treatment programmes focused heavily on counselling, and their success rates often fell short. Take Alcoholics Anonymous as an example, studies indicate its success rate hovers around just 25 per cent.

Addressing the physical side of addiction is essential for true recovery.

“Unless the biochemical imbalances which are the true causes of substance problems are corrected, the benefits of psychological counselling will be marginal for most people.” – Dr Charles Grant, former physician and psychiatric consultant for the New York State prison system.

Addictive substances alter the brain’s structure and functioning, creating intense cravings. When compounded by vitamin and mineral deficiencies, metabolic imbalances arise, amplifying these cravings and making recovery feel nearly impossible. However, animal studies reveal that correcting these deficiencies can significantly reduce addiction.

Nutritional gaps can also mimic withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety, fatigue, depression, irritability and more, hindering the recovery process and often leading to relapse. Indeed, increased anxiety is one of the primary reasons addicts tend to relapse. Taking the right supplements is, therefore, vital to prevent withdrawal symptoms from taking you back to where you started. 

So, let’s uncover which supplements could help you or your loved ones battle back against addiction…

Citicoline

Citicolone is the most bioavailable form of choline; a crucial B vitamin for brain health that many people fail to consume in sufficient amounts.

Renowned for its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, citicoline boosts the production of two vital neurotransmitters, acetylcholine and dopamine, which are essential for optimal brain function. In doing so it improves mental health and aids in the repair of cognitive functions affected by dependency, making the recovery journey smoother.

Even more impressively, research suggests that citicoline may play a direct role in reducing drug addiction.

In one study, individuals with a history of cocaine addiction took 500 mg of citicoline twice daily for two weeks, reporting a noticeable decrease in cravings.

Another study examined participants with both cocaine dependence and bipolar disorder. Those who supplemented with citicoline significantly reduced their cocaine use. By the end of the study, researchers discovered lower levels of cocaine in their urine, indicating real progress toward breaking dependency.

Theanine

Theanine, often included in supplements via green tea, is an amino acid known to promote relaxation by producing a calming effect on the brain. 

By crossing the blood-brain barrier, theanine boosts the production of key neurotransmitters like gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and dopamine, which can help ease anxiety and improve focus. These effects are particularly beneficial during withdrawal from addictive substances, where anxious thoughts and an inability to focus can lead to relapse.

Moreover, research suggests that theanine may play a role in reducing addiction, particularly to tobacco. A 2012 animal study examined L-theanine’s impact on nicotine’s rewarding effects, revealing that it blocked nicotine receptors and reduced activation in brain areas associated with the reward pathway. This discovery suggests that L-theanine could offer potential therapeutic strategies for treating tobacco addiction, and, hopefully, other addictions.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats that the body cannot produce on its own. These fats are not just helpful for the proper functioning of your brain and nervous system, they are absolutely vital.

Research has shown that people with depression often have lower levels of omega-3s, so supplementing with these fatty acids may help improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression. This is because omega-3s influence the fluidity of cell membranes, which is essential for effective neurotransmission, including the communication between the brain’s mood-regulating circuits.

Omega-3s also offer protection against anxiety. In one study, giving omega-3 fatty acids to substance abusers significantly reduced their anxiety. With these remarkable mental benefits, omega-3 can be seen as the ultimate supplement for easing withdrawal symptoms in addicts.

When it comes to reducing cravings, omega-3’s well and truly deliver. Studies have shown that:

• Omega-3 supplementation reduces cravings for nicotine
• Cocaine addicts who relapsed had significantly lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids
• Omega-3 fatty acids significantly lower the desire for alcohol in mice 

Who knew that something as simply as fish oil could help with battling back against addiction?

N-Acetyl-Cysteine

N-acetyl-cysteine, or NAC for those who will understandably struggle with the pronunciation, is a modified form of cysteine; an amino acid naturally produced by the human body.

NAC plays a pivotal role in replenishing glutathione, the body’s most potent antioxidant, while also regulating glutamate, a critical neurotransmitter for brain function. These properties suggest it may improve mental health, offering a lifeline to recovering addicts grappling with the torrid symptoms that often lead to relapse.

Another noteworthy advantage of NAC is its proven ability to curb drug and alcohol cravings. In a small study, 13 individuals abstaining from cocaine received either NAC or a placebo over two days. Those who took NAC experienced a significant reduction in withdrawal symptoms and cravings. 

But NAC’s potential extends beyond substance addiction; it also shows promise in addressing gambling addiction. A randomised control trial involving 27 pathological gamblers revealed that participants supplementing with NAC scored 60% lower on the “Obsessive Compulsive Scale for Pathological Gambling.” It seems NAC is a versatile ally, ready to assist with all forms of addiction.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine

Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) might sound like a mouthful, but this powerhouse compound plays a pivotal role in keeping your body and mind in sync when recovering from addiction. 

It’s a key player in energy metabolism, shuttling fatty acids into mitochondria, the cell’s energy factories, where they’re transformed into fuel. When grappling with withdrawal, fatigue and low energy can feel like insurmountable hurdles. This is where ALCAR steps in, supercharging your energy production at the cellular level to restore vitality and prevent relapse. 

Beyond its energy-boosting prowess, ALCAR shines with neuro-protective and antioxidant properties, making it a valuable ally for overall brain health. Withdrawal throws a wrench into dopamine and serotonin systems, wreaking havoc on mood and motivation. ALCAR has shown promise in rebalancing these neurotransmitters, potentially easing symptoms like depression and anxiety during recovery.

Amazingly, ALCAR may also directly tackle cravings! 

In a study of individuals recovering from alcoholism, those treated with ALCAR stayed sober longer thanks to reduced urges. Another study involving methadone-dependent individuals found that a daily dose of 2 grams of ALCAR during a three-week detox period not only alleviated withdrawal symptoms but also prolonged the withdrawal phase.

Whether it’s replenishing energy, stabilising mood, or reducing cravings, ALCAR can be a powerful ally in the journey to overcoming addiction

Magnesium

Magnesium is a vital mineral and electrolyte that plays a key role in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, making it no surprise that it can seriously help with overcoming addiction.  

Magnesium works wonders for calming the nervous system, acting as a natural stress-soother by balancing neurotransmitters and taming the body’s stress response. It boosts gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that encourages relaxation and dials down anxiety, something most face in the thick of recovery.

Withdrawal also often brings about insomnia, but magnesium can once again step in to help. By aiding melatonin production, the hormone that governs sleep cycles, and relaxing tense muscles, it can help you drift off peacefully and stay asleep through the night.

What’s more, magnesium subtly rewires the brain’s reward system, curbing the cravings for addictive substances that often make recovery feel like an uphill battle. So, starting and sticking with the withdrawal process could become a lot more manageable with the help of magnesium supplements.

If you want to learn about all of the different types of magnesium, we’ve got you covered.

The Bottom Line

Addiction is a challenging and deeply personal journey, but recovery is entirely possible with the right approach. While traditional methods like counselling remain essential, addressing the physical toll of addiction is equally crucial. 

Supplements like citicoline, omega-3s, NAC, magnesium, and ALCAR can be invaluable allies in easing withdrawal symptoms and curbing cravings. However, it’s important to remember that they’re called supplements for a reason; they’re there to complement your recovery journey, not replace the effort and commitment it takes to heal.

With a solid nutritional foundation and targeted supplements, the path to overcoming addiction becomes less daunting, helping individuals rebuild their lives with strength, balance, and hope.