Alcohol abuse is linked to countless health issues. Recent data suggests that 40% of patients have developed serious complications from their alcohol misuse. In the U.S., over 138 million people, 12 years old or older, actively drink alcohol. Almost half of them (48.2%) are binge drinkers. While 26% are heavy drinkers.

What that means is that 15.7 million people across the U.S. have an alcohol use disorder. Many of these drinkers are 12-year-olds or older. Without adequate treatment, their severe alcoholism could prove fatal. That’s why people are looking for the latest treatments that can beat the addiction.

One such treatment option that recently made headlines is NAD therapy. Also known as NAD+ therapy or Niacin therapy, this innovative treatment seems to offer metabolic, anti-aging, neurological, and addiction recovery benefits. The question is, can it help with alcoholism?

If you’re interested in everything there is to know about NAD therapy; you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn more about this treatment and the real benefits it can offer.

What Is NAD Therapy?

Niacin therapy restores the body to normal NAD levels and can get the system back on track. Nicotinamide riboside is an alternate form of niacin (vitamin B3), hence the name Niacin therapy. Supplying the body with Nicotinamide riboside is an effective strategy at increasing the NAD+ levels.

Recently, more and more people who want to boost their mitochondrial energy production and cell health have been opting for this kind of treatment. It can provide better mental clarity, physical strength, energy, mood, potency, and endurance.

NAD (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme naturally present in the human body. The system produces and keeps some of it as a reserve. This coenzyme plays a key role in more than 500 enzymatic reactions and almost all biological processes.

The coenzyme acts as a fuel for processes that convert food into energy, fortify cells’ defense mechanism, repair DNA damage, and restore the circadian rhythm (the body’s internal clock). Basically, it lets people lead longer and healthier lives, research shows.

The NAD+ ratio across different people, tissues, and cells vary. However, the reserves get depleted from time to time. When something causes quick fluctuations, like anxiety, stress, aging, and neurodegenerative illnesses, the body depletes its NAD reserves.

Low NAD levels are a major concern for people with chronic conditions. Fluctuations such as these influence immune response, cell division, inflammation, DNA repair, signaling, metabolism, circadian rhythm, and more.

The treatment administers lab-produced NAD. Patients usually get an infusion every day for a span of 10 days. But, each treatment plan is tailored to the patient’s needs.

What Does NAD+ Have to Do With Alcoholism?

Addiction is an illness in which a person can’t control their need to take drugs, like alcohol, opiates, nicotine, or other substances. NAD IV treatments are meant to relieve that pressure by managing the symptoms of withdrawal and promoting cellular repair.

Addiction can also deplete one’s natural NAD reserves. Whereas the therapy curbs the cravings and withdrawal issues during the entire addiction recovery process.

Compared to oral supplements, NAD is thought to bypass digestion and directly affect the human system. The primary role of the therapy is to regulate and maintain energy flow, signaling pathways, and cell regeneration.

But, most importantly, it can repair neuropsychiatric conditions, particularly addiction. Research shows that the NAD+ levels in the human body tend to decline with age. When there is another form of imbalance in the system, like the one caused by addiction, it can accelerate aging and degeneration.

That’s where NAD therapy comes into play. NAD+ features a mechanism in which it can interact with different tissues and cells. These cells are the ones that support the addictive behavior. In other words, the treatment works from the inside.

Thus, people have been using it as a holistic approach to treat different forms of addiction. They are a practical and affordable co-therapy method that could be used alongside regular drug rehab treatment. Like the one, you can get at the drug and alcohol rehab center for women near Dallas-Fort Worth. You can pair the holistic approach with private care to restore cellular and neurological health. It can be a great way to confront the addiction head-on.

What Makes NAD Therapy Special?

Patients who’ve undergone Niacin therapy experienced a complete withdrawal of addictive substances without developing severely debilitating withdrawal issues. It’s a direct and cheap way of treating the addiction, and it doesn’t require the use of synthetic therapeutic agents.

Synthetic agents can pose a health risk. NAD treatment is different. It relies on vitamins, such as Vitamin C, B12, and B-complex, to get the desired results. Vitamin B12 is meant to help with memory loss and poor concentration from heavy drinking.

B-complex vitamins use the cocktail to assist the body in performing numerous functions, such as immunity and energy support. While Vitamin C gets involved in enhancing the body functions associated with the circulatory, immunity, bones, and muscle system.

The treatment also uses IV fluids (Intravenous fluid regulation) with a sterile saline base to deliver all these nutrients straight into the bloodstream. It can rehydrate the body and ensure complete nutrient absorption. With the perfect NAD+ quantity, the therapy ensures optimal results.

Therefore, having the opportunity to rely on something with fewer adverse effects might help you restore your health. According to reports, NAD+ could remove the cravings, boost health, ease withdrawal issues, and assist in abstinence.

These are all key factors when dealing with alcoholism. It is also said to alleviate biochemical processes linked with addiction and provide therapeutic properties. In animal trials, it demonstrated protective effects for metabolic syndrome, aging, heart disease, neurodegenerative illnesses, and aging.

When you pair it with proper medical treatment, like the one you can get at the alcohol rehab center for young adults in Texas, the therapy can go a long way. The idea for the therapy is not to replace conventional treatment but to enhance the possibility for a successful recovery.

Benefits of NAD Therapy for Alcoholism

By replenishing the NAD reserves, the therapy is supposed to fuel the system and restore normal metabolic reactions. This is a holistic, supposedly natural approach that can have numerous benefits.

Although it can’t cure the addiction, it can help supply the body with numerous benefits. Here is how this therapy may help with your alcoholism.

Stonegate Center Blog - Does NAD Therapy Treat Alcoholism? - Benefits of NAD Therapy Graph

Pain Reduction

Based on a 2021 study, 28% of people with chronic pain are turning to alcohol to alleviate the discomfort. Different research also showed similar results. Many people, or 54%, use alcohol to cope with face pain, and 56% for tooth pain.

The problem is, using alcohol for pain can be extremely dangerous. Especially when paired with pain medication. Drinking can trigger acute liver failure, increase the risk of gastric bleeding, and reinforce the sedative effects of the medication.

Improving the NAD levels helps the system ease the pain. It promotes a healthy regeneration process and restores the blood vessels. The key to its effectiveness lies in its inflammation-reduction properties, which in turn, could help with the pain.

Specific Sirtuins (protein molecules) used during antioxidant expression can lessen inflammation and fuel the process of natural pain reduction. According to a small animal trial, enhancing the spinal NAD levels and other activities could be a potential strategy for treating and preventing neuropathic pain.

If you or anyone in your family is using alcohol to dull the pain, then schedule a medical detox for alcohol detox in the North Texas area. That way, you can learn to overcome this problem and find another healthier way to manage the pain.

Metabolism Boost

Alcohol abuse can cause impaired nutrient absorption and digestion. This can have a heavy impact on metabolism. Because the body can’t store the alcohol, it has to metabolize it as soon as possible. As a result, other metabolic processes get impaired.

While the system is metabolizing alcohol, it won’t metabolize fats and sugar. Heavy drinking makes your metabolism slow down, which contributes to weight gain and poor liver function. In fact, the more you drink, the bigger the risk of malnutrition.

A study found that drinkers with high-intensity alcohol use have a 60% greater risk of developing metabolic syndrome than those who drink less.

Women who already suffer from metabolic syndrome, obesity, and alcohol abuse, can be vulnerable to developing vascular complications. While in men, this kind of health problem has been linked to cancer, survey shows.

To come up with the results, scientists for the Journal of Alcoholism & Drug Dependence surveyed multiple volunteers for the course of 12 months. They analyzed the volunteers’ nicotine and alcohol addiction. Including the number of times they drank.

Results revealed that the prevalence of alcohol consumption was 11% in women and 38% in men. The group that reported abusing alcohol also identified symptoms of alcohol addiction. Many experienced alcohol withdrawal syndrome whenever they tried to quit drinking. Those who regularly abused alcohol were at risk of experiencing depression and cerebral vascular disease.

NAD+ supports healthy aging and improves metabolic function. According to small-scale animal models, the treatment is beneficial in conditions with elevated NAD+ turnover and helps with neurological dysfunctions. Most importantly, it can generate energy within the cells and allow the body to function properly. These are all key features when trying to recover from alcoholism.

Manages Addiction

When an individual abuses alcohol and drugs, their NAD reserves get used up too quickly. This makes it incredibly challenging for their body to convert the food into actual usable energy. If there is a co-occurring disorder, on top of the addiction, it can pose an even bigger problem for the natural NAD levels.

For example, health issues like depression, post-traumatic stress, Alzheimer’s, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy can hinder NAD depletion. They drain the energy from the central nervous system. Niacin therapy floods the brain with beneficial properties that replenish the NAD stores.

They help:

Flush out the toxins from the system.
Reduce the cravings for ethanol, which lessens the impact of withdrawal.
Make alcohol recovery more comfortable, tolerable, and less mentally and physically draining.
The body naturally creates energy without exposing it to serious side effects.

In other words, NAD therapy is not meant to cure alcohol abuse. It’s not a mythical elixir either. But, it could provide the system an optimal chance to remove the toxins, restore cellular energy, and boost recovery. That makes it a valuable component in alcohol abuse.

For those struggling with alcohol abuse, the alcohol rehab center for young adults in Texas can help. By consulting with experts, you’ll be able to regain complete control over your addiction.

Beats the Fatigue

Ethanol contains sedative qualities that rob the body of its energy. Drinking hard liquor, beer, and wine makes people feel lethargic, drowsy, and exhausted. If you didn’t get a good night’s sleep the day before, the drinking would make you even more fatigued.

According to experts, that’s because drinking depresses the central nervous system. These sedative effects can last for a very long time, depending on how much you’ve drunk. That’s where NAD therapy can come in handy.

In addition to improving the NAD levels, it can also increase the mean concentration of other metabolites that take part in energy production. It can help with energy metabolism and balance. The therapy addresses the main problems in the body by supplying the system with energy. This energy is a fundamental component of the body and may help rejuvenate the system on a cellular level.

Provides Anti-Aging Effects

One of the most visible impacts of alcohol abuse is on your skin. People who want to protect their complexion cut back on ethanol, and for a good reason. Abusing the product can enlarge the blood vessels and make the skin appear redder.

It can also cause vitamin A deficiency, which can get in the way of collagen production and cell regeneration. It is not uncommon for the skin to appear wrinkly and scaly after heavy alcohol abuse. That’s due to dehydration. Particularly in individuals who consistently abuse alcohol.

Whereas the damaged liver can cause lesions, skin yellowing, and jaundice that affect the surface of the skin. NAD therapy is said to have a profound impact on Sirtuins and allow the cells to live healthier and longer lives.

Data indicates that replenishing NAD+ could make for a potential therapeutic counter for age-related illnesses and aging. It plays a major role in managing cellular processes. Scientists identified a total of 1545 articles and 147 articles that prove NAD+ therapy in age-related degenerative illnesses.

The majority of reports showed a favorable outcome in multiple age-related illnesses linked with inflammation, oxidative stress, and poor mitochondrial function. Although more research and human trials are necessary, it seems that NAD+ is a promising option for anti-aging benefits.

Maximizes Brain Power

Alcohol abuse damages the brain. It has a major impact on the complex structures of the brain. It blocks the neurons, causing intoxication, impulsive behavior, poor memory, slow reflexes, and slurred speech. Excessive drinking can cause debilitating and permanent health complications.

The more a person drinks, the bigger the risk for impairment. Users can even experience memory lapses and blackouts.

Researchers surveyed 772 undergraduates to evaluate their experience with alcohol abuse. Exactly 51% of the students experienced a blackout at least once in their life, while 40% had blacked out in the exact year prior to the survey. Also, 9.4% reported they blacked out two weeks before the survey.

Many of those who blacked out stated they had participated in extremely risky events, which they couldn’t remember later. Some drove a car under the influence, others had unprotected sex, while the rest resulted in vandalism. These actions could have serious consequences at some point in their lives.

NAD therapy can maximize the function of the neurons, protect the cells from damage, death, and toxicity, and promote mitochondrial biogenesis. Making it a practical choice for improving brainpower. Since the treatment helps stabilize and preserve NAD levels, it could be a valuable neuroprotective mechanism.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide in living cells is a cofactor central to metabolism. The cofactor accepts electrons from other molecules and reduces in size. This is known as an NADH reaction, which is then used to donate electrons.

According to experts, the treatment stimulates glucose uptake, enhances NADH oxidation to NAD+, boosts the energy metabolism, and prevents energy depletion. When the central nervous system is functioning in tip-top shape, that’s when the signaling pathways get back to normal.

Other Reasons NAD Treatment Can Help With Alcoholism

When it comes to overcoming alcoholism, many factors and problems will get in your way. Patients want something convenient, discrete, reassuring, and helpful. The main reason people choose this form of therapy is out of convenience. But, there is more. Here are some of the most typical reasons you should know about.

NAD Therapy is Discreet and Private

Patients who want to maintain their privacy can do that with NAD therapy. NAD can be used as in-home therapy, where the nurse comes to the home to ensure optimal comfort, security, and privacy.

That means one can rest in the comfort of their home while still receiving treatment. That way, they don’t have to sacrifice their productivity but still get an opportunity to overcome their addiction.

If you need a practical option to flush out the toxins from the system, check out the medical detox for alcohol detox in the North Texas area. Here, you get the perfect environment to begin your journey to a full recovery.

NAD Saves Time

Even though the therapy can’t erase the physical, mental, and neurological damage of alcohol addiction overnight, it could be a practical strategy for getting through with the treatment. Since patients can take the therapy at home, it saves them plenty of time on appointments.

Of course, people can still choose to take the therapy in a medical clinic if they are not comfortable with in-home IV therapy. To boost your chances of success, you should pair IV treatment with medical detox. At the drug and alcohol rehab center for women near Dallas-Fort Worth, you can get all the help you need.

NAD Treatment Might Help With Disease Resistance

Illnesses such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and heart problems are often caused by a chain reaction of cellular failures and deficits. As the most important coenzyme in the system, reduced NAD levels indirectly and directly affect the onset of these illnesses.

The IV treatment is meant to stabilize the NAD levels, which might reverse these chain reactions. It also normalizes key features of the disease, including DNA responses, as explained in recent animal trials.

Therefore, it could reverse or stop the progression of diseases such as these. However, more research is necessary to evaluate its full impact on disease resistance.

High NAD+ Levels Could Help With Weight Loss

Since increasing the NAD levels in mice helped boost metabolism, it could prove useful for weight loss in humans. But, more large-scale studies are necessary to confirm its effect. So far, it seems that it can get the digestive system back on track, which is important for someone struggling with alcoholism.

NAD Therapy Could Help With Jet Lag

NAD+ balances the circadian rhythm, as published in the National Library of Medicine. Therefore, it may prove useful for managing disorders that benefit from an internal clock reset. The most practical example is jet lag.

Boosting NAD+ Levels Can Reduce Cancer Risk

Stabilizing the NAD+ levels shields the system from oxidative stress and DNA damage. Both of these health issues are connected with cancer development. One 2015 study focused on evaluating the effects of NAD+ for preventing and treating liver cancer.

Their results estimate that improving the NAD levels could be used as a therapeutic and prophylactic approach in liver cancer. It’s a practical therapy option that might have some beneficial results for avoiding and treating the illness.

NAD May Be Beneficial for Skeletal Muscle

Based on a recent analysis, increasing the NAD+ levels in older mice proved effective in boosting their endurance, strength, and muscle function. Scientists believe that providing fuels to different cell types can benefit several tissues.

Because of aging, mice displayed an 85% decline in muscle strength loss, endurance, and fiber degeneration. Administering a NAD precursor provided critical support for maintaining muscle function and mass.

What About Side Effects?

NAD therapy is considered a safe treatment with little to no side effects. Human trials showed that taking 1,000mg to 2,000mg a day displayed no adverse reactions. But, most of these studies are limited in duration and number of volunteers.

So, it is difficult to come up with an accurate estimate of its safety. It’s important to point out that robust research is still needed. With that in mind, some studies have reported moderate or mild side effects.

The most common ones include:

Indigestion
Diarrhea
Headaches
Fatigue
Nausea
Stomach discomfort

Based on further studies, administering 300mg per 1kg of body weight every day for a span of 90 days also had no dangerous reactions.

Despite it appearing safe without serious adverse effects, there are no long-term trials that analyze its impact in the long-run. That’s why it is vital to consult with a doctor before you decide to take this treatment.

If you need advice on how to deal with alcohol addiction or anything related to alcohol dependence, contact the drug and alcohol rehab center for women near Dallas-Fort Worth. You can get all the advice you need in a very short time.

Final Thoughts

As one of the most popular holistic treatments, NAD has definitely managed to make a name for itself. In the field of addiction recovery, it seems to have plenty of research supporting its benefits. Based on studies and multiple trials, it may prove useful for alcoholism.

It can help manage the pain and allow patients to refrain from using alcohol as a coping mechanism for dealing with pain. Another practical benefit is its ability to promote a healthy metabolic rate.

When you pair that with medical detox, it can be even easier to overcome the withdrawals and fatigue. It also helps enhance brainpower. Luckily, the treatment seems to offer some effects on cognitive function as well. All of these benefits make it a viable alternative for overcoming addiction.

Also, don’t forget to consult with a doctor before you take any treatment. They will help you decide the best course of action.

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK436003/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7278809/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29634344/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26791540/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7539288/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29211728/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6342515/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2734914/

https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/using-alcohol-to-relieve-your-pain

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24959710/