Opiates ruin your life. Or, in your case, they destroyed your life, and you’re trying to get yourself, your life, and your body back on track.
First of all – good for you! We’re genuinely proud of you for taking steps you need to make your life better.
We want to support you on that journey by recommending some supplements and vitamins for opiate withdrawal that can make your transition into a sober life easier.
These supplements won’t cure your addiction or replace the need for therapy – but they’re another tool to put in your recovery toolbox.
Ready to get started and (hopefully!) start feeling better? Read below.
Taking Vitamins for Opiate Withdrawal: Disclaimer
Before we start, we need to mention that vitamins and supplements are not a replacement for opiate addiction therapy or medical treatment.
They are best used in addition to traditional treatment methods – not instead of.
This is an advice guide and not a prescription from an actual doctor. You are always encouraged to talk to your doctor before adding supplements to your diet.
What Do Opiates Do to Your Body?
No matter how you were ingesting opiates, they had a harsh effect on your body. Opiates are known to have effects on your nervous system by inducing or making the development of hyperalgesia (nerve pain) more common.
They can also cause psychomotor impairment or the general slowing down of your body movement.
If you’re experiencing nerve pain or slow body movements during opiate withdrawal, you could take . . .
Lipoic Acid
Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant that our bodies make naturally. It’s thought that it can help repair nerve damage, by providing resources for the nerves to restructure themselves. It’s been used for years in Europe to help with nerve issues and even as a supplement for type 2 diabetes.
Technically you could get it from food, but you’d have to eat a lot of foods containing it to get enough. It’s present in foods like tomatoes, spinach, and red meat.
Studies usually dose people at 300-600 mg a day but talk to your doctor about finding the right dose for you.
Vitamin C
Another thing opiate usage does is break down your immune system. As you probably remember from school, your immune system is what keeps you healthy (and stops you from getting sick).
Opiates are essentially a poison, and they break down the resources in your body that fight off viruses and infections.
Vitamin C is also a great energy booster, so it’s a good supplement to take if you find yourself feeling sluggish during withdrawal.
If you don’t want to take a pill-like supplement, you can put powders like Emergen-C in your water (which you need to be drinking enough of!).
Taking vitamin C can help keep you hydrated, boost your energy, and strengthen your immune system during opiate withdrawal.
Rather get it from food? A high-quality orange juice (no sugar added, please!) has high amounts of vitamin c.
Vitamin(s) B
There are eight types of B vitamins, all of which have different effects on your body. The most popular supplement is B12, which is cobalamin. Cobalamin (B12) is known for having energy-boosting effects, and you can even get it in shot form at your doctor’s office.
While B12 is great, it’s better to take a B-complex vitamin, with all eight or at least more than one B vitamin in it. They can help your energy levels, your cell regeneration, and also boost your immune system.
B-complex vitamins can be expensive, however, so learn about each vitamin here, if you’d rather pick and choose which B’s to take.
Want to get it from food? Eggs, beef, salmon, and clams are all high in B vitamins.
One more thing – B vitamins are water-soluble, which means you need to be drinking enough water each day for your supplement usage to pay off.
Don’t know how much water to drink? At least half your body weight in ounces is a good place to start.
Milk Thistle
Opiates do a number on your liver, and Suboxone, while it can save your life, can stress out your liver (though much less than opiates!) too.
To support your liver, think about taking a Milk Thistle or general liver-health supplement.
Avoid any supplements that market themselves as “detox products,” as those often have some sort of laxative or appetite suppressant in them.
Instead, plain milk thistle or any multi-vitamin that’s labeled “liver health” or “liver support” is a better choice.
When you’re evaluating liver supplements, look for artichoke leaf, along with milk thistle. There is some research-backed support for artichoke leaf in liver supplements, but more needs to be done.
A Multi-Vitamin
Don’t want to take three different supplements a day (or more?). You can take a general multi-vitamin to help with opiate withdrawal symptoms.
Many women choose to take prenatal vitamins, even if they’re not pregnant or planning to be. These vitamins contain folic acid, which is thought to make your hair and nails stronger, as well as improve the appearance of skin.
Men can take any one-per-day vitamin they see fit – just make sure it’s okay with your doctor.
Avoid any weight-loss vitamins, as they will likely worsen your withdrawal symptoms.
Supplements for Opiate Withdrawal and Recovery
When you’re using Suboxone to recover from an opiate addiction, you’re already taking steps in the right direction.
Adding a few vitamins for opiate withdrawal can help your body along the way to recovery – but they don’t replace treatment.
Always check with a doctor before taking a supplement and click here if you need suboxone treatment to recover from opiate addiction, today!
