End the Cycle: Herbs and supplements to help conquer addiction

In 2005, 71.5 million Americans used tobacco products at least once, 19.7 million used illicit drugs, and 16 million acknowledged being heavy drinkers, imbibing five or more drinks a day at least five times a month. For those trying to kick these substances, conventional addiction treatment programs rely on a combination of talk therapy, support groups, and pharmaceutical drugs that either alleviate anxiety and depression, create an aversion to the addictive substance, or help wean the person off of it in some other way. Recovery statistics are grim, however. On average, only 25 percent of people remain substance-free for one year following treatment. Because treatment programs so often fail, the typical person entering treatment is doing so for the third time.

According to some experts, conventional recovery programs fail because they don’t address underlying nutrient deficiencies that fuel the cravings. “The answer is to provide the raw material that the body and brain need to be healthy,” says Joan Matthews-Larson, PhD, executive director of the Health Recovery Center, a drug and alcohol recovery center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and a pioneer in the field of using nutrients for treating addiction. In a study published in the International Journal of Biosocial and Medical Research, Matthews-Larson reported that more than 70 percent of patients who receive nutritional support during withdrawal remain abstinent for several years after treatment.

While myriad natural remedies (a healthy whole-foods diet not the least among them) can help restore balance, here are five of the most promising nutrients and herbs for balancing brain chemistry and conquering addiction.

Amino acids
Amino acids are the building blocks of neurotransmitters, the biochemical communication devices used by the brain and nervous system. “When specific amino acids are in short supply—whether through poor diet, genetics, or stress—the risk of substance abuse and addiction increases,” says Julia Ross, MA, director of The Recovery Systems Clinic in Mill Valley, California, which deals with drug, alcohol, food, and other addictions. A lack of L-tryptophan, for example, leads to low serotonin levels, which triggers cravings for alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, and sweets. Other amino acids often used in amino acid therapy include L-tyrosine (deficiencies are associated with low energy and a craving for stimulants such as caffeine, chocolate, and cocaine) and L-glutamine (deficiencies are associated with stress and anxiety and a craving for tranquilizers such as alcohol and valium). Determining which amino acids you need can involve some trial and error, since it depends on your addiction and patterns of symptoms; the advice of a trained counselor can help.

A typical regimen of single amino acids consists of 500 to1,500 mg a day in two divided doses, preferably on an empty stomach. If you’re taking the right amino acids, you should see benefits within a couple of days, says Ross. (For more information on treating addictions with amino acids, see The Mood Cure by Julia Ross, Penguin 2004.)

Omega-3 fatty acids
Research has shown that people who get insufficient omega-3 fatty acids are more likely to suffer from depression—a condition linked to addictive behaviors, most likely because depressed people often turn to alcohol, drugs, or food in an attempt to feel better. The omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) occur in high concentrations in the brain and keep cell membranes flexible. This flexibility enables proper communication between the neurotransmitters that regulate mood and behavior.

Cold-water fish such as salmon, trout, and sardines are the richest dietary sources of EPA and DHA, but you can also get what you need in capsule form. Take 1 to 3 grams daily. Good plant sources of alpha-linolenic acid (another omega-3 fatty acid, some of which your body converts to EPA and DHA) include flaxseed, hempseed, and walnuts.

Kudzu (Pueraria lobata)
In the quest to liberate yourself from libations, kudzu may stand as a valuable ally. In several animal studies, hamsters bred to prefer alcohol over water instead chose water when they were given kudzu. The ability of kudzu to curb alcohol intake seems to hold true for people, too. In a 2005 clinical study, researchers found that an extract of kudzu reduced the number of beers consumed by heavy drinkers. The study participants were given two capsules (500 mg each) three times daily of kudzu standardized to 19 percent puerarin, 4 percent daidzin, and 2 percent daidzein (the active ingredients.) After one week, the participants reduced the number of beers they drank from six a day to four.

Lobelia (Lobelia inflata)
Smokers looking for a natural way to wean themselves from tobacco have long turned to lobelia, an herb you can find in liquid extracts and herbal blends formulated to help kick the habit. The active compound, lobeline, appears to prevent drugs such as nicotine and methamphetamine from releasing dopamine. Without the big payoff of this feel-good brain chemical, you crave the drugs less. Animal studies support this, with lobeline decreasing the animals’ desire for methamphetamine. A typical dosage of lobelia for those trying to quit smoking is 30 drops of tincture (diluted in water) three times daily.

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
Popular as a relaxing sedative in Europe, passionflower eases anxiety without the use of pharmaceutical drugs. Recent research also shows that passionflower, when combined with conventional treatment, aids withdrawal from opiate drugs. Opiate addicts are generally given the drug clonidine, which reduces physical withdrawal symptoms but not the emotional ones, such as anxiety, agitation, and irritability, that often cause people to drop out of detoxification programs. Researchers found that adding passionflower to the treatment protocol eased these emotional symptoms. A typical dosage of passionflower is ½ to 1 teaspoon of extract three times a day.

Laurel Vukovic, MSW, writes about herbs and natural healing from her home in southern Oregon.