Supplements for Alcohol Withdrawal

People that are addicted to alcohol are more susceptible to vitamin deficiencies. These deficiencies become apparent when alcohol abusers attempt to detox, either at home or during the first stages of alcohol rehab. There are several conditions believed to be related to vitamin deficiencies so it is something that should be considered when attempting withdrawal.

To replace vital vitamins and minerals lost due to alcohol consumption, you can take supplements. Especially during withdrawal, these supplements can help rebalance your body and help it run more smoothly. With eased symptoms, this may help prevent relapse and be a step towards an alcohol-free life.

Alcohol Withdrawal – What is it?

Alcohol withdrawal is the name for a set of symptoms that occur when someone with an alcohol addiction stops drinking. If you have been struggling with alcohol long-term then your body has developed a physical dependence on the substance. When alcohol is suddenly removed from your system, your body reacts and that is when the withdrawal symptoms arise – making returning to alcohol seem like the best way to feel better.

Signs & Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

There are both physical and psychological symptoms when it comes to withdrawal. Once you stop drinking, withdrawal symptoms will begin within eight to 24 hours of your last drink.

Physical symptoms may include:

• Headaches
• Diarrhoea
• Fatigue
• Hand tremors
• Excessive sweating
• High temperature

Psychological symptoms may include:

• Increased anxiety
• Increased depression
• Intense cravings for alcohol
• Mood swings
• Insomnia
• Increased irritability

One set of symptoms unnerves alcohol abusers the most and that is the DTs. DTs stands for Delirium Tremens and is a severe type of alcohol withdrawal that causes sudden changes to your body’s mental and nervous systems. You are more likely to suffer from the DTs if you have had an alcohol abuse disorder for a long time, have a history of struggling with withdrawal, have other health issues besides alcoholism and have a history of brain damage or seizures.

Symptoms usually begin 2-3 days after you stop drinking and last for as long as that but sometimes it can go on for as long as a week. There are many signs you may be suffering from the DTs including fever, tremors, severe chest pain and collapsing. If you do no seek medical advice and seek rehabilitation treatment then the DTs can be fatal.

Vitamins That Might Help

Taking vitamins is no substitute for thorough and effective treatment but is a good accompaniment. These are some key vitamins that may help during the withdrawal process.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 has alleged links to many health benefits, including helping with depression. You can get Omega-3 from eating fish but there are fish oil supplements you can take if that is too much hassle. It is wise not to take too much though as there can be negative side effects.

Calcium

Alcohol disrupts your body’s ability to absorb calcium which can increase the risk of bone diseases such as osteoporosis. To better absorb calcium your body needs ample amounts of vitamin D, so getting out in the sun is important too. Common calcium supplements will be labelled as Calcium Carbonate.

Protein

To get the protein you need to repair damaged cells and create neurotransmitters, you can take amino acids. Protein can be easily consumed in a normal diet but amino acid supplements will help boost the number in your body when suffering from alcohol addiction, providing you with more energy. You can get supplements such as lysine, leucine and histidine.

B Vitamins

These types of vitamins are vital. Vitamin B1 helps convert sugar into energy and taking thiamine will help with this. Folic acid (vitamin b9) is important in red blood cell formation and helps with cell growth and function. B vitamins are behind some of the most important processes in your body. Drinking alcohol disrupts all this and stops your body from absorbing these nutrients.

A and C Vitamins

A deficiency of C vitamins can leave you feeling fatigued and depressed. Vitamin C also strengthens your immune system and helps give you clear skin. Vitamin A is also good for your immune system, helps vision in dim light and keeps your skin healthy. If you eat liver once a week then you don’t need to take supplements as research suggests that too much vitamin A may affect your bones.

Herbal Supplements

Complementing vitamins with herbal supplements such as Milk Thistle may help you when in withdrawal. Milk Thistle supposedly helps restore liver health and protect against liver damage. These and other herbal supplements may also help with cravings.

Medical Treatment for Alcohol Withdrawal

When it comes to dealing with withdrawal and treating alcoholism, we at Nova Recovery strongly recommend completing a medically assisted detoxification programme. Detoxification is the process of flushing harmful toxins from your body by ceasing your intake of them. This way you can rid your body’s dependence on alcohol and rewire the brain chemistry that has been damaged by drinking.

With us, you will be assessed to understand the severity of your addiction and decide on the best way forward. After this will begin the alcohol detox by slowly decreasing your intake of said alcohol. When withdrawal symptoms occur, you will be administered medication by a professional to help ease the symptoms.

The medications we administer to you will depend on your unique circumstances including the severity of your addiction. At Nova Recovery we utilise acamprosate, disulfiram, naltrexone and nalmefene in our detox programmes.

An effective detox programme can take up to 10 days to complete. During this process, you will also be supplied with key alcohol withdrawal vitamins to help repair your body. This will leave you a healthier than when you arrived. You will also be in a comforting environment and given healthy meals to reduce your nutrient deficiencies and encourage the healing process.

Beyond detox, you will take part in therapy treatment and hopefully engage in aftercare to better manage psychological withdrawal symptoms such as cravings and cope with daily triggers.

Getting Help Today

Whilst vitamin and mineral supplements for alcoholism can be a great help in achieving sobriety and relapse prevention, they should be taken alongside professional treatment. Addiction can be the source and be caused by serious mental health issues that need thorough treatment to help improve. However, supplements can help ease withdrawal and assist healing processes within the body.

For more information on our facilities here at Nova Recovery, contact us at 01475 303998 or visit the website.

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John Gillen - Author - Last updated: September 8, 2023

John has travelled extensively around the world, culminating in 19 years’ experience looking at different models. He is the European pioneer of NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) treatment to Europe in 2010; and recently back from the USA bringing state of the art Virtual Reality Relapse Prevention and stress reduction therapy. His passion extends to other metabolic disturbances and neurodegenerative diseases. The journey continues. In recent times, John has travelled to Russia to study and research into a new therapy photobiomudulation or systemic laser therapy working with NAD+ scientists and the very best of the medical professionals in the UK and the USA, together with Nadcell, Bionad Hospitals own select Doctors, nurses, dieticians and therapists. Johns’ passion continues to endeavour to bring to the UK and Europe new developments with NAD+ Therapy in preventive and restorative medicine and Wellness. In 2017 John Gillen was made a visiting Professor at the John Naisbitt university in Belgrade Serbia.