4 Must Have Supplements in Sobriety

One of the key features of addictions is a loss of precious vitamins and minerals.

There are a few reasons why this happens:

1. Most eat a horrible diet void of proper nutrition
2. Alcohol lowers stomach acid meaning most aren’t able to properly digest their food
3. If you cannot properly digest your food, you’re unable to properly absorb the nutrients in them

Overall, this means we are extremely deficient and malnourished

We can fill this void with a proper diet and exercise but supplementation can also come in handy to get our levels back to where they need to be.

Here are my 4 must have supplements that everyone in recovery should look into:

Magnesium
Magnesium is needed for the production of energy. It is a cofactor in no less than 300 enzyme systems that regulate a myriad of the body’s biochemical activities such as synthesis of proteins, nerve and muscle function, control of blood glucose and regulation of blood pressure.

Magnesium may decrease dependence on opiates, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines and alcohol, as well as reduce intensity of their withdrawal symptoms.

It may lower relapse rates especially with cocaine and amphetamines and decrease nicotine addiction in heavy smokers.

Magnesium is depleted during times of high stress/anxiety so it makes sense that up to 60% of alcoholics are deficient in Magnesium with strong links to Delirium Tremens (a state of confusion and trembling during alcohol withdrawal)

Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin along with K, A and E and is great for the brain.

All tissue in the body has receptors for Vitamin D including the heart, brain, muscles and immune system so our body needs it to function properly.

Vitamin D is an essential vitamin for elevating mood and regulating the thyroid

Higher levels of vitamin D can increase serotonin.

Vitamin D may be able to protect against dopamine depleting effects of methamphetamines.

There is a positive association between Vitamin D deficiency and severity of alcohol use disorders

Most users of morphine, fentanyl or oxycontin, are deficient in Vitamin D

Zinc
Substance abuse, in particular alcohol, causes excessive urinary excretion of zinc and thus zinc deficiency.

Bad food choices and over consumption of sugar, caffeine, alcohol and drugs can use up the liver’s extra stores of zinc which can bring on feelings of anxiety and paranoia.

It is considered an essential mineral for mental health,

Zinc helps with chronic anxiety and may help with addiction and withdrawal.

It is a key nutrient involved in the metabolic detoxification of alcohol.

Both acute and chronic alcoholism results in a zinc deficiency. These are due to these factors; decreased dietary intake, decreased absorption and increased urinary excretion.

Zinc deficiencies can lead to cold extremities, loss of taste or smell, poor wound healing, fatigue, no appetite, acne and hypothyroidism.

Alcohol depletes the body of zinc which can cause stress and anxiety.

B-Complex
Long term drinkers are classically deficient in all B Vitamins but B12 and B6 in particular.

B12 helps with proper function of nervous system, helps body produce fats that coat nerve endings allowing them to heal and restore proper function, helps liver function, and can help stabilize mood and boost immune function

B6 is one of the most important vitamins needed in recovery.

B6 is a common deficiency as alcohol decreases the absorption and utilization by the liver and increases the urinary excretion of many B vitamins, in particular B6

It is needed for the formation of 50 different enzymes and is essential for the metabolism of all amino acids and their conversion into neurotransmitters such as Dopamine and Serotonin. B6 is also needed to create a stable immune system.

Pretty good stuff right?!

At this point, you may be asking which product to buy? I unfortunately can’t answer that for you as every state, province, etc will have different products for sale but my take-away with supplements is this:

“Good supplements aren’t cheap and cheap supplements aren’t good”

Talk to your doctor or health care provider to make sure you are medically cleared to take these.

It’s also a good idea to get your levels tested to make sure you do indeed have a deficiency before spending money on supplements you may not need.

The good news is that most of these supplements are readily available for a cheap price at most places.

Happy Healing,

Chris

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