What are the best natural remedies to help with surviving alcohol withdrawal?
What happens when you stop drinking alcohol? Alcohol detox is not only unpleasant. It can be dangerous. As you may be aware, people who detox from alcohol addiction risk seizures, delirium tremens in addition to alcohol craving.
While medical treatment is critical, there are also alcohol withdrawal home remedies than may help. Please tune in to our free recovery podcasts to learn more.
Doctors who oversee the medical detox process from excessive alcohol use typically prescribe medication and vitamins. Medical treatment helps to protect the patient and make the process more comfortable.
Doctors are now able to provide medical alcohol detox at home. In addition to various alcohol detox supplements, the doctor may provide lorazepam for alcohol withdrawal or a Librium detox.
Both lorazepam and Librium are benzodiazepines, which are powerful sedatives. While these drugs must not be used long-term, they are useful for short-term detox treatment.
In addition to pharmaceutical products, there are also natural remedies for alcohol withdrawal that may help with the alcohol detox process. Vitamins, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, and B vitamins, including thiamine and niacin, are essential. There are also food-based and plant-based products that help to support alcohol withdrawal at home.
During and after detox, alcohol cravings are a serious problem. The urge to drink can be overwhelming. In addition to alcohol cravings, sugar cravings after quitting alcohol are also a problem.
What alcohol withdrawal remedies helps with cravings for alcohol?
Kudzu is a herbal medicine, also known as pueraria lobata. This herbal product helps to suppress cravings.
It is so promising that scientists have studied kudzu isoflavones to see if they can synthesize new products to support holistic sobriety. Daidzein is one isoflavone they have focused on specifically.
Another natural remedy that may help with cravings is gymnema, or gymnema sylvestre. This particular herb helps with blood sugar regulation, but it has been found to also help with alcohol craving suppression.
Since reducing blood sugar spikes seems to help with cravings, it may be useful to consider a low-carb diet. People who follow a ketogenic diet have noticed that addictive thoughts and cravings are less of an issue.
Omega-3 fatty acids and healthy fats are an important part of a keto diet. These dietary components are also supportive of alcohol recovery.
What about ibogaine for alcohol detox?
Is ibogaine for alcoholism safe or effective? Ibogaine is a natural plant product that is not legal in the US, but it is legal in some other countries.
This psychedelic compound is used in non-US clinics to treat addiction, but there is significant risk. While the drug is plant-based and natural, it has the potential to cause heart rhythm issues that may be fatal.
Over the years, there have been efforts to study derivatives of ibogaine to find a safe way to use the drug in a controlled manner. The goal is to standardize a safe form that will meet the requirements of FDA approval.
For example, there was MC-18, a non-psychedelic derivative of ibogaine. There is now an effort to use noribogaine at very low dosages in a topical cream. For now, this drug should not be considered for alcohol detox, even though it is a natural plant product.
Regarding alcohol and mushrooms, alcohol and cannabis, and other entheogens, the current recommendation is that these mind and mood altering substances should not be used in any alcohol detox program. Yet, we may see more use of natural psychedelics in the future.
Is ketamine a natural remedy for alcohol withdrawal?
While on the topic of entheogens, which are natural, plant-based psychedelic substances, it is worth mentioning ketamine for alcohol. Ketamine is certainly not a natural remedy, but it is considered by many to be in the same category as the previously mentioned entheogens.
There is a protocol known as the KARE protocol, which stands for Ketamine for Reduction of Alcoholic Relapse. This form of alcohol therapy involves ketamine IV infusion and psychotherapy, or ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP).
There is a study that claims KAP and the KARE protocol have achieved an 86% success rate in preventing alcohol relapses. While this outcome is interesting, we must consider the possibility that the therapy component may be the primary reason for the high success rate.
Would it be possible to develop such a protocol using natural remedies that are safe for home use? Could alcohol withdrawal symptoms be treated at home with medical detox, natural remedies and psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a critical and essential part of alcohol detox and recovery. A home-based alcohol rehab service may provide both a therapist and a doctor to manage the detox and recovery phase of overcoming alcohol abuse.
In addition to working with a traditional alcohol therapist or alcohol counselor, there are also digital prescription therapeutics, which are software solutions to help people overcome addictions. With the addition of AI technology, these digital prescription therapeutics apps will only become more effective.
In addition to kudzu extract, what are some other natural remedies to assist in overcoming alcohol dependency?
Home remedies should start with healthy food choices. Avoid processed foods and foods high in carbs and sugars.
Leafy vegetables are a good choice, as well as garlic, seeds, nuts, lemons, oranges, and limes. Lean proteins are also good, including grilled chicken and fish.
During the early detox phase, it is important to stay hydrated by drinking small sips of water, or even an electrolyte replacement drink. The detox diet should be bland, including bananas, apples, rice, or toast.
Ashwagandha tincture is a herbal supplement that may be beneficial. This herbal product promotes relaxation and relief from anxiety.
Milk thistle, also known as blessed milk thistle, is a natural supplement that promotes cleansing of the liver. Alcohol has a negative effect on liver health, so milk thistle may help with liver detox.
Passion flower, or maypop seeds, can also help with alcohol detox. Also, consider dihydromyricetin (DHM) (Hovenia Dulcis Extract), available as DHM powder, which may help to reduce withdrawal symptoms.
DLPA (DL-phenylalanine) is a precursor to several neurotransmitters, including dopamine. A DLPA supplement may help with anxiety and also reduce alcohol cravings.
Does Alcoholics Anonymous approve of any home remedy for alcohol use disorder?
Why do we care what Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) cares about alcohol addiction treatment? As a nearly century-old organization that helps people to overcome alcohol dependence, we might worry that their views on substance abuse treatment could be outdated.
Fortunately, the larger organization does not have an official opinion on addiction resources. Narcotics Anonymous (NA), on the other hand, does have an official position against medical addiction treatments.
While AA is not specifically against any home remedies for alcohol withdrawal to help support eliminating or reducing alcohol intake, they also do not endorse any remedy. The reason why we might care about AA’s opinions is that AA is the largest alcohol recovery support program in the world.
Alcoholics Anonymous, the non-profit corporation that manages groups and literature, does not tell individual members what medications or supplements they should or should not take. On the other hand, local groups and members may have strong opinions.
When a person attends an AA meeting, or any other recovery meeting, they do not have any obligation to share medical treatment information with the group or other members. Any questions about medical treatment should be directed to a doctor, and not peer support meeting members.
There is no reason why you should worry about what AA members think about catnip, hops, St. John’s Wort, ashwagandha, milk thistle, kudzu, or any other supplement. For example, do not ask about where to find the best Valerian root for alcohol detox in an AA meeting. However, it is critical to discuss supplements with your doctor before taking them.
