Basic First Steps
The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice from a licensed physician or other qualified healthcare professional.
Alcohol addiction
Common nutrient deficiencies from chronic alcohol abuse include (Center, 2018):
- vitamin A, B-vitamins, vitamin C, and vitamin D
- magnesium
- omega 3 fatty acids
- glutamine, tyrosine, theanine, tryptophan, phenylalanine
BASIC FIRST STEPS
1. Eat a healthy diet
- ensure sufficient protein, fats, and cholesterol
- eat a variety of colourful vegetables and fruit
- avoid sugar and starches
Diets to consider:
- Mediterranean diet
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/mediterranean-diet-meal-plan - Paleo diet
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/paleo-diet-meal-plan-and-menu
2. Supplement basic nutrients for support with addiction;
Multivitamin
Reason: broad spectrum nutrient support
Typical dosing: 1–2x day
AND/OR
B-complex
Reason: full spectrum of B-vitamins, supports brain function, blood sugar control
Typical dosing: B50 2–4/day
Vitamin C
Reason: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, supports neurotransmitter production
Typical dosing: 1000–6000 mg/day
Vitamin D
Reason: regulates serotonin production, protects against neuronal oxidative stress
Typical dosing: 1000–5000 IU
Chromium
Reason: regulates blood-sugar levels
Typical dosing: 200–400 mcg/day
Magnesium
Reason: calms neurotransmission, anti-stress, serotonin and dopamine production
Typical dosing: 100–750 mg/day
Zinc
Reason: antioxidant support, neurotransmitter regulation
Typical dosing: 50 mg/day
Fish oil
Reason: anti-inflammatory, brain supportive
Typical dosing: 1000–4000 mg (of fish oil)
NAC
Reason: antioxidant support, helps regulate addictions
Typical dosing: 500–3000 mg/day
3. Decrease caffeine or other stimulants (gradually)
FURTHER STEPS
1. Continue with basic nutrients for support with addiction
2. Include additional nutrients shown important with alcohol addiction
Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
Reason: decreased by alcohol consumption, deficiency promotes alcohol consumption
Typical dosing with alcohol addiction:
Vitamin B3
Reason: serotonin production, sedative effect, cellular energy production, addresses cravings
Typical dosing with alcohol addiction: 500-3000 mg/day (niacin)
Glutamine
Reason: reduces cravings, calming by supporting GABA production
Typical dosing with alcohol addiction: 500-3000 mg/day
Tyrosine
Reason: addresses dopamine, norepinephrine deficiencies
Typical dosing with alcohol addiction: 500-2000 mg/day in divided doses
D,L-Phenylalanine
Reason: addresses dopamine, endorphin deficiencies
Typical dosing with alcohol addiction: 500-2000 mg/day in divided doses
Tryptophan/5-HTP
Reason: addresses serotonin deficiencies
Typical dosing with alcohol addiction:
Tryptophan 500–2000 mg/day,
5-HTP 100-300 mg/ 3x day
GABA
Reason: calming neurotransmitter, depleted by substance abuse
Typical dosing with alcohol addiction: 100–500 mg 2-3x day
3. Reduce sources of stress if possible
4. Ensure good sleep
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/sleep/art-20048379
5. Address psychological and spiritual aspects driving the addiction
Nicotine addiction
Common nutrient deficiencies from chronic smoking include (Preston, 1991):
- vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene
- selenium, zinc
BASIC FIRST STEPS
1. Eat a healthy diet
- ensure sufficient protein, fats, and cholesterol
- eat a variety of colourful vegetables and fruit
- avoid sugar and starches
Diets to consider:
- Mediterranean diet
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/mediterranean-diet-meal-plan - Paleo diet
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/paleo-diet-meal-plan-and-menu
2. Supplement basic nutrients for support with addiction;
Multivitamin
Reason: broad spectrum nutrient support
Typical dosing: 1–2x day
AND/OR
B-complex
Reason: full spectrum of B-vitamins, supports brain function, blood sugar control
Typical dosing: B50 2–4/day
Vitamin C
Reason: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, supports neurotransmitter production
Typical dosing: 1000–6000 mg/day
Vitamin D
Reason: regulates serotonin production, protects against neuronal oxidative stress
Typical dosing: 1000–5000 IU
Magnesium
Reason: calms neurotransmission, anti-stress, serotonin and dopamine production
Typical dosing: 100–750 mg/day
Zinc
Reason: antioxidant support, neurotransmitter regulation
Typical dosing: 50 mg/day
Fish oil
Reason: anti-inflammatory, brain supportive
Typical dosing: 1000–4000 mg (of fish oil)
NAC
Reason: antioxidant support, helps regulate addictions
Typical dosing: 500–3000 mg/day
3. Decrease caffeine or other stimulants (gradually)
FURTHER STEPS
1. Continue with basic nutrients for support with addiction
2. Include additional nutrients shown important with smoking addiction
Vitamin A
Reason: protects lung cells
Typical dosing with smoking addiction: 10,000 IU
Vitamin E
Reason: depleted by smoking, decreases risk of lung tumours
Typical dosing with smoking addiction: 400 IU/day
Glutamine
Reason: reduces cravings, calming by supporting GABA production
Typical dosing with smoking addiction: 500-3000 mg/day
Theanine
Reason: calming, supports increased GABA, serotonin and dopamine levels
Typical dosing with smoking addiction: 100–400 mg/day
Tyrosine
Reason: addresses dopamine, norepinephrine deficiencies
Typical dosing with smoking addiction: 500-2000 mg/day in divided doses
Tryptophan/5-HTP
Reason: addresses serotonin deficiencies
Typical dosing with smoking addiction:
Tryptophan 500–2000 mg/day,
5-HTP 100-300 mg/ 3x day
3. Reduce sources of stress if possible
4. Ensure good sleep
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/sleep/art-20048379
5. Address psychological and spiritual aspects driving the addiction
Opioid addiction
Common nutrient deficiencies from chronic opioid abuse include (Center, 2018):
- vitamin A, B-vitamins, vitamin C, and vitamin D
- magnesium, calcium
- omega 3 fatty acids
- glutamine, tyrosine, tryptophan, phenylalanine
BASIC FIRST STEPS
1. Eat a healthy diet
- ensure sufficient protein, fats, and cholesterol
- eat a variety of colourful vegetables and fruit
- avoid sugar and starches
Diets to consider:
- Mediterranean diet
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/mediterranean-diet-meal-plan - Paleo diet
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/paleo-diet-meal-plan-and-menu
2. Supplement basic nutrients for support with addiction;
Multivitamin
Reason: broad spectrum nutrient support
Typical dosing: 1–2x day
AND/OR
B-complex
Reason: full spectrum of B-vitamins, supports brain function, blood sugar control
Typical dosing: B50 2–4/day
Vitamin C
Reason: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, supports neurotransmitter production
Typical dosing: 1000–6000 mg/day
Vitamin D
Reason: regulates serotonin production, protects against neuronal oxidative stress
Typical dosing: 1000–5000 IU
Magnesium
Reason: calms neurotransmission, anti-stress, serotonin and dopamine production
Typical dosing: 100–750 mg/day
Zinc
Reason: antioxidant support, neurotransmitter regulation
Typical dosing: 50 mg/day
Fish oil
Reason: anti-inflammatory, brain supportive
Typical dosing: 1000–4000 mg (of fish oil)
NAC
Reason: antioxidant support, helps regulate addictions
Typical dosing: 500–3000 mg/day
3. Decrease caffeine or other stimulants (gradually)
FURTHER STEPS
1. Continue with basic nutrients for support with addiction
2. Include additional nutrients shown important with opioid addiction
Theanine
Reason: calming, supports increased GABA, serotonin and dopamine levels
Typical dosing with opioid addiction: 100–400 mg/day
Tyrosine
Reason: addresses dopamine, norepinephrine deficiencies
Typical dosing with opioid addiction: 500-2000 mg/day in divided doses
Phenylalanine
Reason: addresses dopamine, endorphin deficiencies
Typical dosing with opioid addiction: 500-2000 mg/day in divided doses
Tryptophan/5-HTP
Reason: addresses serotonin deficiencies
Typical dosing with opioid addiction:
Tryptophan 500–2000 mg/day,
5-HTP 100-300 mg/ 3x day
GABA
Reason: calming neurotransmitter, depleted by substance abuse
Typical dosing with opioid addiction: 100–500 mg 2-3x day
3. Reduce sources of stress if possible
4. Ensure good sleep
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/sleep/art-20048379
5. Address psychological and spiritual aspects driving the addiction
