15 Best Supplements for Alcohol Cravings Addiction Treatment VA

It can reshape an individual’s environment into a supportive and proactive system, reducing the opportunities for relapse. We are licensed by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health & Department Services to provide SA IOP (Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Program) and OP (Outpatient Program) levels of care. Take our short alcohol quiz to learn where you fall on the drinking spectrum and if you might benefit from quitting or cutting back on alcohol. Kudzu is a plant in traditional medicine whose flowers and roots are used to treat conditions like alcoholism. Experts believe its activity as an isoflavonoid, plant-based estrogen or phytoestrogen might be responsible for its effects. Yogurt contains probiotics that are beneficial for gut health, which can be damaged from prolonged heavy drinking.

• And there was a 35% reduction in mood disturbance in hospitalized patients after vitamin C treatment (60, 61).
• Canned foods can be a useful and inexpensive addition to your diet, but they can also contain a lot of added sugar.
• Studies suggest that alcoholics who improve their general nutrition maintaining sobriety longer.
• In addition to reducing daily drinking, naltrexone has been shown to reduce alcohol cravings as a measurable symptom (3).

Understanding the Role of Glutamine in the Body

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. Vitamins are essential for aiding the liver after alcohol misuse by helping with detoxification, regeneration, and metabolism. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) can lead to severe deficiency in several vitamins and minerals.

Supplements Proven to Help You Overcome Addiction and Withdrawal

Moving onto stress – another big culprit behind depleted glutamine levels. Imagine chronic stress as someone constantly ringing your doorbell while you’re trying to restock the buffet table (or make more glutamines). These groups can also disseminate valuable coping mechanisms to handle triggers and mitigate cravings. They serve as a non-judgmental hub for individuals to express their fears, accomplishments, and setbacks openly, fostering resilience and an optimistic outlook. Distraction techniques focus on shifting one’s attention away from cravings. This can range from engaging in physical activities, such as jogging or swimming, to intellectual stimulants like reading or solving puzzles.

Best Supplements for Alcohol Cravings – Amino Acid Options

Certain antidepressants also show promise for helping reduce drinking when you live with depression. Your care team might recommend this approach if you experience symptoms of anxiety and depression along with cravings. Experiencing alcohol cravings may not automatically mean you have an AUD.

• If you’re dependent on alcohol to function, it’s recommended you seek medical advice to manage your withdrawal.
• Various studies show that vitamin C reduces stress and anxiety and decreases the severity of depression (62-67).
• Treatment for alcohol use disorder can vary, depending on your needs.

Exercises help to regulate blood sugar and releases chemicals in the brain that improves mood, agility, and body functions, allowing you to live a healthier life. Although evidence is still limited, omega-3 fatty acids show promise as an excellent alcohol recovery supplement. When you are trying to quit or stay away from alcohol, cravings can be overwhelming. It is normal to seek remedies like over-the-counter herbs, vitamins and supplements to stop the cravings and support your sobriety. However, while some studies support using certain supplements, it is important to know that not all directly impact alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Studies have also found that magnesium deficiency is very common in people dealing with alcohol addiction and withdrawal.

How to Stop Alcohol Cravings Naturally

• Always seek professional advice before attempting to give up alcohol if you are alcohol-dependent.
• Dandelion may also be able to help with alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
• If you’ve been told that fat is bad, it may feel natural to reach for these alternatives rather than the full-fat versions — especially when you’re trying to lose weight.
• Build a network of positive influences that would improve your self-esteem.

Valerian root is a plant extract that promotes relaxation, reduces anxiety and stress, and improves sleep quality. It can help reduce alcohol cravings by calming the nervous system and reducing stress-related triggers. If you’re in an alcohol addiction treatment program, you know how tough it can be to overcome alcohol cravings. Your body may crave alcohol long after your last drink, and this can pose a severe challenge to your recovery.

Which crisp is the healthiest? The answer will surprise you

I took it for multiple years, and I experienced gradual cognitive decline during that time. It’s important to point out that many prescription drugs are anticholinergic, meaning they reduce acetylcholine in the brain. This is because they address the psychological aspects of addiction without considering the physical aspects of the disease. Understanding the three distinct components of your habit loop can help you come up with more specific strategies to overcome cravings when they pop up. In other words, what works for a friend won’t always work for you. That’s why building your own recovery toolkit can make a difference in your ability to weather the most intense cravings.

Successfully Overcoming Withdrawal Is the First and Most Important Step

He has conducted multiple clinical trials examining the use of naltrexone in primary care and other community settings. As a practicing physician, Josh helps manage the NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue herbs to curb alcohol cravings addiction medicine clinic in adult primary care. Meditation, practiced on your own or via guided meditation, can help you learn to react less to alcohol cravings (8).

A keto diet helps stabilize blood sugar levels, which indirectly reduces the urge for an alcoholic drink. In the journey towards recovery, the right nutrient-rich foods can play a surprising role – they can curb alcohol cravings. All alcohol-dependent people face cravings in various forms; this is due to the need to maintain a certain level of alcohol in the blood. When you feel the need to drink to relax or to unwind with friends or even to reduce tension symptoms, then you are alcohol dependent. The reasonable thing to do would be to seek help on how to curb alcohol craving.