As mentioned above, cravings result from either a withdrawal or the presence of a trigger. For those of us with sustained recoveries, the cues and triggers are typically the cause of our cravings. Lastly, is Glutamine, which I’ve coined as a pretty big game-changer in this article, due to its ability to diffusing alcohol cravings rapidly.
Mainstream approaches that are even less effective include aversion therapy, confrontation, educational films and general psychotherapy. As with many other OTC herbal supplements, there’s little convincing evidence that the aforementioned supplements are clinically effective treatments of alcohol dependency. There have been some scientific studies conducted, but a majority involve animal models and show modest findings that rarely translate into conclusive human trials. The primary danger of these supplements in those with alcohol dependency is not necessarily knowing the drug—drug interaction potential or side effects. The real danger may be the possible delay in seeking professional help for the dependence. If asked about herbal treatments for a drinking problem, it is advisable to recommend speaking with a professional rather than self-treatment with over-the-counter supplements.
Ashwagandha Liver Side Effects Contraindications
Alcoholism affects your health, social life, and your loved ones negatively; it drowns you in low self-esteem and completely incapacitates the victim. It is inadvisable to try to deal with this problem alone, as this situation can greatly deteriorate. Professional healthcare advisors in alcohol rehab facilities know how to deal with alcohol cravings and are in the best position herbs to curb alcohol cravings to prescribe the right drugs to curb alcohol cravings. Naltrexone – it is administered after general detoxification, as an anti-craving medication for alcohol. The drug acts to block receptors that provide the “Alcohol High” in the brain. 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.
In the second, participants who were treated for 4 weeks with kudzu extract significantly reduced their alcohol consumption during weeks 2 through 4 of the study (Lukas et al., 2013). We have subsequently shown that puerarin is the major active isoflavone because 7 days treatment with this compound alone (1,200 mg/day) produced a similar reduction of binge drinking as the extract (Penetar et al., 2012). When you’re in recovery from alcohol addiction, nutrition can play a major role in helping your system bounce back. The right combination of vitamins and supplements can not only help you feel physically healthier, it can also help you overcome alcohol cravings and common long-term withdrawal symptoms like anxiety and depression. Some supplements and nutrition strategies may assist in reducing alcohol cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Prolonged alcohol consumption can actually deplete the body of essential vitamins and minerals, causing nutritional deficiencies that may intensify cravings.
Medication for Alcohol Addiction
People who have become alcohol-dependent often experience cravings when trying to stop drinking, making it harder to quit. The good news, however, is that there are medications that may help manage the urge for alcohol, which can aid in the recovery from alcohol use disorder (AUD). L-glutamine is another great supplement for anyone trying to reduce their alcohol consumption. This amino acid occurs naturally in the body and many protein-rich foods, and is a building block for some of the brain chemicals that regulate anxiety and depression.
- Counseling, medication, support from family and friends, changing your diet, taking supplements, and alternative treatments may all help lessen your alcohol cravings.
- This latter scenario might very well permit the use of lower doses of prescription medications and thus reduce the incidence of side effects.
If eligible, we will create a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. If The Recovery Village is not the right fit for you or your loved one, we will help refer you to a facility that is. Having a severe dependency on one thing can destroy both lives and relationships. If your goal is to get out of a slump, or to help out a friend in need – it’s important to know that there are ways to improve the reliability of your decision to quit. Before starting any complementary treatment, be sure to discuss it with a doctor to make sure it’s safe for you.
