Last Updated: January 23, 2024

When you think about addiction recovery, you might not think about vitamins. However, more vitamins and better nutrition can help strengthen your mind and body as you shift into a substance-free life.

Certain vitamins and supplements can help you achieve overall wellness. They can also manage some vitamin deficiencies that come with substance misuse.

The Impacts of Substance Use on Your Body

When you have a substance use disorder, it can be hard to focus on physical wellness. Exercise can drop away as part of your regular routine and become nonexistent.

Nutrition is often not a priority either. You might eat snack foods rather than meals. Or you might eat irregularly, focusing on drugs or alcohol instead. These can make you feel sick, less hungry or crave foods that are easy to access and not nutritious.

If you are focused on drugs or feeling strapped for cash, you are less likely to access healthy foods. Even when you stop taking your substance of choice, you may likely feel tired and depleted.

Why Focus on Physical Wellness?

Addiction has both psychological and physical components. Much of recovery focuses on your brain and how you can move away from substance misuse. However, it is also important to support your body during recovery.

If you are not feeling well, then it is harder to focus on addiction recovery. Co-occurring disorders like depression and anxiety are common in those with a substance use disorder. Feeling unwell because of poor nutrition only worsens these disorders.

Nutritional deficiencies from substance use disorder can also hamper your recovery. A simple act like adding the right vitamins to your diet can help you feel better. It may even help prevent relapse.

What Is the Influence of Nutrition and Supplementation on Addiction?

Poor nutrition is common in those who struggle with addiction. Healthy habits, including good food choices, often drop by the wayside due to the addiction. However, developing good nutritional habits is important for recovery. Good nutrition gives you the strength to overcome any potential withdrawal symptoms. It can also help your brain’s chemistry rebalance to life without the substance. 

Helpful Vitamins and Supplements for Addiction Recovery

While overcoming addiction, how can you nourish your recovery? Everyone’s needs differ. Therefore, seek medical advice before trying to supplement with vitamins or herbs.

Some common supplements that may have some benefit include:

1. A multivitamin: A multivitamin often contains vitamins and minerals lacking in a person who struggles with substances. These include thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, folate, vitamin D, vitamin C, magnesium, iron, calcium, zinc, copper and selenium.
2. Amino acids: Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and are found in many foods. Phenylalanine, tryptophan, tyrosine and glutamine have been shown to help reduce cravings in people struggling with opioids.
3. Omega-3s: Omega-3 fatty acids may improve mental health. They may also reduce the risk of agitated behaviors during substance recovery.
4. Vitamin B1 (thiamine): Low thiamine is common in those who struggle with alcohol. This can lead to a neuropsychiatric condition called Wernicke’s Encephalopathy. Supplementing with thiamine can help prevent this condition from developing.

You do not need to only get vitamins from pills. Adding lots of lean proteins, fiber and fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet is also important. Complement this healthy diet with the hydration your body needs for recovery. With these efforts, you may start to feel stronger and more able to cope in the long term.

Are you looking for rehab resources for your addiction recovery? At The Recovery Village Columbus, we can help you find the support you need to transition into sober, healthy living. Contact The Recovery Village Columbus today to learn about admissions.

Frequently Asked Questions on Supplements for Addiction

Questions are common when someone is trying to support their addiction recovery with proper nutrition. However, everyone’s needs are different. That is why it is important to seek a doctor or dietitian’s advice for your particular case. A medical detox program offers both medical and nutritional support as you recover from your addiction.

Is there an herb that helps with addiction?

It is unclear if herbs can help with addiction. However, research shows that omega-3 fatty acids and amino acids can help people overcome addiction.

What are some natural supplements for addiction?

Omega-3 fatty acids may aid in recovery. Additionally, the amino acids phenylalanine, tryptophan, tyrosine and glutamine may help as well.

What vitamin deficiency causes addiction?

Vitamin deficiency is a frequent result of addiction. However, it is unclear if vitamin deficiencies cause an addiction in the first place.

What vitamin is most important for alcoholics?

People with alcohol addiction are likely to be deficient in many different vitamins. However, the most important vitamin is thiamine (Vitamin B1). Low levels of this vitamin can cause Wernicke’s Encephalopathy. This is a potentially fatal neuropsychiatric condition.

What vitamins are low in drug addicts?

Many different vitamins are low in people with substance use disorder. This is why experts recommend these people have a diet high in various vitamins and minerals. These include thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, folate, vitamin D, vitamin C, magnesium, iron, calcium, zinc, copper and selenium.

Is milk thistle good for withdrawal?

It is unclear if milk thistle helps withdrawal. The herb may help enhance liver function in those struggling with alcohol. However, there is no data to support that milk thistle helps with withdrawal symptoms from alcohol or other substances.

Sources

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. “Milk Thistle.” February 27, 2023. Accessed January 9, 2024.

Tadokoro, Tomoko; Morishita, Asahiro; Himoto, Takashi; Masaki, Tsutomu. “Nutritional Support for Alcoholic Liver Disease.” Nutrients, March 10, 2023. Accessed January 9, 2024.

Ott, Michael; Werneke, Ursula. “Wernicke’s encephalopathy — from basic science to clinical practice. Part 1: Understanding the role of thiamine.” Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology, December 29, 2020. Accessed January 9, 2024.

Mahboub, Nadine; Rizk, Rana; Karavetian, Mirey; de Vries, Nanne. “Nutritional status and eating habits of people who use drugs and/or are undergoing treatment for recovery: a narrative review.” Nutrition Reviews, September 25, 2020. Accessed January 9, 2024.