Unlocking Recovery with NAD Addiction Therapy

The U.S. is a hotbed of substance use disorders (SUDs). That’s at least the takeaway from numerous studies that have examined substance abuse across the country, one of which comes from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The 2022 study revealed that some 48.7 million Americans aged 12 or older had a substance use disorder. That’s a little over 17% of the U.S. population.

To make matters worse, many of the same people who abuse drugs, alcohol, or both are simultaneously struggling with depression or another mental illness. This phenomenon is what clinicians call a co-occurring disorder. A separate SAMHSA study shows that over 21 million Americans had such a disorder in 2022. The combination of challenging withdrawal symptoms and severe mental health challenges can make overcoming a substance use disorder exceptionally difficult for some people, especially those trying to give up alcohol, opioids, and other hard-to-quit substances.

Studies Show Relapse Rates Among Individuals Trying To Overcome Addiction Are High

To put into perspective just how difficult it is for some people to break the cycle of addiction, we needn’t look much further than a study published by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA). It revealed that the relapse rates among individuals trying to overcome heroin and alcohol addiction were 78.2% and 68.4%, respectively. Relapse rates among those trying to quit cocaine and methamphetamine, also known as crystal meth, are 61.9% and 52.2%, respectively. It is also worth noting that many of those who relapse do so while still in an addiction recovery program.

According to the same NIDA study data, approximately 40% to 60% of people receiving treatment for addiction relapse before completing rehab. In addition to harsh withdrawal symptoms, some of the most common reasons people cite for relapsing include an inability to remain motivated while in rehab, not being able to cope with social triggers, such as specific people or social situations, lack of self-care, intense cravings, and environmental triggers, which could include locations or particular times of the day.

The Relationship Between Withdrawal Symptoms and Relapse

Whether it’s trying to end their relationship with alcohol, opioids, stimulants, or another illicit substance, most people experience an onslaught of mild to severe withdrawal symptoms within hours or days after they stop using. Some of these symptoms include the following:

• Tremors and seizures
• Muscle pain
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Confusion, irritability, and agitation
• Paranoia, restlessness, difficulty focusing, and hallucinations
• Rapid heart rate and heart palpitations
• High blood pressure
• Anxiety and depression
• Dehydration
• Nausea and vomiting

When someone has been using drugs, alcohol, or both for a long time, the body becomes dependent on the sustained presence of these substances. When they abruptly stop using, the body responds by triggering nausea and vomiting, pain, tremors, and the like. These symptoms can sometimes be enough to compel some people to give up on trying to achieve sobriety and start using again, which is understandable since the resumption quickly relieves these and other physical withdrawal symptoms.

There is also a psychological component when it comes to withdrawal symptoms and relapse. When someone suddenly stops using drugs or consuming alcohol after they have been doing so for a long time, it causes the amygdala, a small, almond-shaped part of the brain function that helps regulate emotions, to become hyperactive. That hyperactivity can trigger anxiety, irritability, uneasiness, cravings, and other psychological and behavioral events that can push some people into relapse. Because physiological and psychological withdrawal symptoms can make getting through rehab and overcoming addiction exceptionally challenging, some U.S. rehab facilities are now offering nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) addiction therapy to patients.

How NAD Addiction Therapy Can Help With Withdrawal Symptoms

For most licensed rehab facilities in the U.S., the go-to treatment for combating withdrawal symptoms is medication-assisted treatment (MAT). This approach to addiction recovery involves the use of FDA-approved drugs to help individuals cope with withdrawal symptoms and improve their chances of completing rehab successfully. While MAT is incredibly effective for most people, it is not enough for others. For this reason, some rehabs offer NAD addiction therapy instead or alongside traditional MAT to individuals in their care. To appreciate why, we need to familiarize ourselves with what NAD is. For those not aware, NAD or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide is a coenzyme that the body naturally produces, and it is involved in many cellular processes. Some of these include the following:

• DNA repair
• Energy metabolism
• Gene expression
• Immune cell function
• Stress responses

Along with stress and anxiety, neurodegenerative diseases, and aging, substance abuse can deplete the body’s NAD reserves, especially among those with a co-occurring disorder. Depleted NAD reserves can make withdrawal symptoms worse when individuals begin their alcohol or drug detox journey. NAD  addiction therapy replenishes the body’s supply of NAD coenzymes. And that replenishment, according to early research, provides relief from severe withdrawal symptoms and lowers the risk of relapse.

How Is NAD Therapy Administered?

NAD addiction therapy is administered by a licensed physician, typically a naturopathic doctor, functional medicine specialist, or integrative medicine doctor. The process involves placing NAD+, a coenzyme form of vitamin B3, supplements, and amino acids into an IV bag, which slowly drips into a patient’s bloodstream. This intravenous (IV) administration allows NAD+ to bypass the stomach and travel directly to the brain, which leads to faster results compared to MAT and other addiction recovery treatment modalities. Depending on their NAD+ IV cocktail dosage, most people see noticeable results immediately or within 2 to 3 days. Available data shows that NAD addiction therapy contributes to the following:

• Flushes out drugs, alcohol, and other toxins that might still be in an individual’s system after detox
• Reduces severe withdrawal effects that can sometimes trigger relapse
• Curbs drug and alcohol cravings and lessens the pain of withdrawal, which makes recovery physically and mentally easier
• Allows the body to produce more energy naturally

NAD Therapy Duration and Follow-Up Care

The length of NAD IV therapy sessions can vary depending on the severity and nature of someone’s addiction. After the initial treatment, most addiction treatment centers recommend follow-up IV infusions 1 to 2 months later. These follow-up sessions are often part of a comprehensive treatment plan designed to support long-term recovery. Patients will typically continue these treatments until they are deemed no longer necessary or until they complete their addiction recovery treatment program. While IV treatments like NAD therapy are a relatively new approach to addiction recovery, they have shown promise in addressing withdrawal symptoms during detox. However, further research is needed to fully understand its long-term effects and effectiveness as a stand-alone treatment option for addiction recovery.

Start Your Journey Toward a Clean and Sober Life Today

The physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms associated with drug addiction and alcohol dependency can make achieving short- and long-term sobriety challenging. However, most rehabilitation centers now offer innovative treatments to treat addiction effectively. These include FDA-approved prescription medications and therapies like NAD addiction therapy, which support the detoxification process while addressing underlying issues. If you’re ready to take the first step toward recovery, speak with an Allure Detox expert today to explore the best options for your journey.

Published on: 2024-12-22
Updated on: 2024-12-22