How can you best communicate your struggle with cravings to your loved ones? Begin by expressing the importance of their support in your journey. Overcome fear of judgment and ensure transparency in your communication. Help them understand your triggers and ask for the needed support during challenging times. Family and friends can be monumental pillars of strength during this journey. Their understanding and support can catalyze behavioral changes while diluting the intensity of cravings.

Discuss Supplements With a Physician First

Alcohol, notorious for its health effects, has a sneaky way of depleting glutamine levels. It’s like a party crasher who eats all your food – it gets into the body and gobbles up available glutamine. Self-talk and affirmations are powerful cognitive tools in the journey of overcoming alcohol cravings. They involve consciously vocalizing positive statements to oneself, reaffirming an individual’s ability to cope with cravings and to maintain control over their actions.

Understanding withdrawal

During rehab, with a clear state of mind, you learn to cope and manage your life without the crippling aid of alcohol. This learning process might include counseling, therapy (individual or group), meditation, and a 12-step program. Consider using the supplements mentioned in this article as an adjunct to a formal treatment plan. Detox, rehab, and addiction specialists are the best parties to devise a successful treatment plan. Researchers have found that Omega-3 fatty acids protect the brain against inflammation and cellular death linked to chronic AUD.

Other Factors Contributing to Glutamine Deficiency

Grain- and dairy-based desserts, such as cakes, pies, doughnuts, and ice cream, account for more than 18% of the intake of added sugar in the American diet (14). Most added sugars in the American diet come from sugary drinks — sodas, sports drinks, energy drinks, sweetened teas, and others (7). You may want to take a family member or friend along, if possible. Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition. Withdrawal and detox are first steps, but further treatment and support is usually needed for long term sobriety. Ginger also helps boost bone health, strengthen the immune system, and increase appetite.

Glutamine’s Support for GABA and Brain Health

Internal triggers are thoughts, feelings, sensations, and beliefs inside you that feed your cravings for alcohol. As your cravings for alcohol become more manageable, you may decide to try reintroducing situations that previously triggered your temptation to drink. To curb sugar cravings, stock up on protein-rich whole foods, such as meat, fish, eggs, full-fat dairy products, avocados, and nuts. A high sugar intake has been linked to increased appetite and weight gain.

How to identify ultra-processed foods (UPFs) – and the surprising ones hiding in your cupboard

A 2007 paper published in “Prescrire International” noted that thiamine deficiency is frequent in alcoholics and can lead to serious complications. Therefore, high doses of thiamine can be supplemented to compensate for poor absorption. Niacin (vitamin B-3) and pantothenic acid (vitamin B-5) can also help the body detox from alcohol, Henninger says.

• Passionflower is a plant extract that promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety and depression.
• At Insight Recovery Centers, we believe in a holistic approach to addiction treatment.
• Begin by expressing the importance of their support in your journey.
• Learning how to curb alcohol cravings is a critical skill in the journey of recovery.
• Although there is little data about the benefit of vitamin B1 on alcohol withdrawal cravings, supplementing with vitamin B1 is important to avoid complications from alcohol use.
• During detox, your body rids itself of toxins, and optimal brain function slowly returns.

Passionflower can help to calm the mind, lift your mood, and help you to resist your cravings. Many alcoholics give up during the detox process because of the severity of the symptoms. Angelica herbs to curb alcohol cravings is a diaphoretic and anti-inflammatory herb that can help ease some of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Angelica can help reduce cravings, prevent nausea and ease headaches.

The Importance of a Support System

A study published in 2013 in “Psychopharmacology” found that kudzu extract caused a modest reduction in alcohol cravings in young heavy drinkers who weren’t seeking treatment. WebMD states that although kudzu extract, when taken for seven days, can reduce alcohol cravings in heavy drinkers, it does not seem to provide the same benefits for chronic alcoholics. Passionflower is a plant extract that promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety and depression. Passionflower supplements can help reduce alcohol cravings by calming the nervous system and reducing stress-related triggers. GABA is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, reduce anxiety, and promote relaxation.

• They help correct some of the nutrient imbalances often caused by alcoholism.
• NAC is also the precursor to glutathione, your body’s master antioxidant, which can help fight addiction.
• Several studies indicate that these practices not only increase self-control over response to cravings, but can also reshape the neural pathways in the brain.
• GABA supplementation may support the increase of GABA receptors and the return of GABA/glutamate homeostasis.
• Treatment may involve a brief intervention, individual or group counseling, an outpatient program, or a residential inpatient stay.

For his convenience, I later shifted him over to my Brain Recovery AM & PM formula. Many addicts deal with feelings of depression and anxiety during their recovery. Passion flower is one of the best herbs to help you stay on your path towards a clean life. Soak one tablespoon of crushed passion flower in water for 15 minutes and then drink for the best results.