How is NAD+ Therapy Being Used in Detox and Addiction Treatment?

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Addiction treatment is an ever-growing practice, with new treatments being found each day. One of the most groundbreaking forms of therapy for addiction is known as NAD+ therapy. NAD+ is a naturally occurring coenzyme of niacin known as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide.[1]

NAD+ therapy is beneficial to addiction treatment as it assists with brain function, repairing DNA, and repairs signals between molecules for cellular communication. While this is extremely beneficial for individuals recovering from addiction, it should be used in combination with conventional and evidence-based practices like behavioral therapy.

What is NAD+ Therapy?

People who struggle with addiction are lacking in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). This naturally occurring co-enzyme becomes depleted when an individual continually abuses drugs or alcohol. As a result, it becomes difficult for them to convert energy that is received from eating food.

Additional reasons an individual may be lacking NAD include:

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)
  • Alzheimer’s
  • Parkinson’s
  • Neurodegenerative diseases
  • Old age

This means that people who struggle with co-occurring PTSD, depression, anxiety, or even old age are at an increased risk of depleted NAD levels. This can lead the person to experience extremely low levels of energy, which can inhibit their ability to pay attention in treatment sessions.

There are many ways that an individual can improve the NAD levels in their body. Examples include exercising, fasting, eating protein, eating foods high in vitamins, and even eating raw foods. Because of this, many programs include these practices in their addiction treatment plans to increase their patient’s NAD levels and treatment retention.

How Does NAD+ Work?

During NAD+ therapy, the co-enzyme is placed in an IV and dripped into a patient’s bloodstream, allowing it to travel directly to the brain. This provides the individual with the boost of energy that they need to enhance their mood, awareness, and treatment retention. Additionally, some experts say NAD+ therapy slows the aging process.

One of the reasons that NAD+ therapy is so beneficial to addiction treatment is the way it stimulates healing in the brain. People who struggle with addiction suffer from a 40-60% likelihood of relapsing, partially due to the effects that substance abuse had on their brains.[2] Thankfully, NAD IV therapy accelerates healing in the brain, reducing an individual’s risk of relapsing.

Benefits of Using NAD+ During Detox

NAD+ therapy is proven to reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms, making it an essential tool during the detox stages of recovery. Additionally, it can help lessen the cravings associated with withdrawal, lowering the chances of individuals relapsing even further.

NAD binds to opioid receptors in the brain, counteracting withdrawal symptoms and cravings by producing the “feel-good” effects that the person’s body is craving. This allows some people to experience little to no cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making the drug and alcohol detox stage of recovery easy and painless.

Additionally, this removes the need for potentially addictive medications like methadone. Methadone is intended to soothe symptoms of withdrawal, however, many people find themselves addicted to this medication. NAD+ therapy can eliminate the need for tapering medications altogether.

Benefits of NAD+ Infusions in Treatment and Recovery

NAD+ IV therapy can help individuals regain control of their life without the need for extra medications. Additionally, it can clear the brain fog that so many recovering addicts struggle with during early recovery. This allows them to fully understand the tools they are learning about in treatment, allowing them to retain the information and avoid relapses in the future.

Additional benefits of NAD+ therapy include:

Natural Cell Regeneration

Addiction can leave people feeling worn down and tired, especially during early recovery. NAD+ therapy helps the body convert food energy into cellular energy that fuels the body and mind. Additionally, these infusions stimulate DNA repair and improve cellular communication throughout the entire body.

Positive Changes to the Brain

NAD+ therapy can cause an array of positive changes to the brain. First, it accelerates healing, which allows your brain to undo the damage done by substance abuse.

Additionally, NAD infusions can improve one’s ability to have clear and focused thoughts. Individuals who struggle with co-occurring conditions like ADHD could benefit immensely from this service. This is done by saturating the brain with the nutrients it needs to perform better.

Helps Manage Chronic Conditions

Oftentimes, people become addicted to drugs or alcohol because of pre-existing conditions they suffer from. For example, an individual with rheumatoid arthritis may begin to abuse oxycodone to lessen their chronic pain. Thankfully, NAD+ therapy can help manage conditions that include symptoms of chronic pain.

The NAD co-enzyme activates antioxidants and reduces inflammation, which both play a huge role in reducing pain. And, all of this is done with a natural substance found in your body instead of medication.

Lastly, NAD+ therapy can act as a mood stabilizer as it increases serotonin levels. This makes NAD+ therapy effective for individuals suffering from comorbid addiction and depression.

Attend a Top-Rated NAD+ Addiction Treatment Center

If you or a loved one suffer from addiction and/or co-occurring disorders like depression, anxiety, or PTSD, NAD+ therapy might be right for you. By helping manage chronic conditions like addiction, depression, and pain disorders, this type of therapy can provide you with relief from all of the conditions you struggle with.

Contact New Jersey Interventions today to get connected with an addiction detox and rehab center near you.

References:

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7558103/
  2. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/treatment-recovery

Medically Reviewed: June 15, 2022

Dr Ashley

Medical Reviewer

Chief Editor

About

All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.

Dr Ashley Murray obtained her MBBCh Cum Laude in 2016. She currently practices in the public domain in South Africa. She has an interest in medical writing and has a keen interest in evidence-based medicine.


All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.

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