What Are the Health Benefits of Vitamin B for Recovering Alcoholics?
If you are recovering from alcoholism, you have already made the most important and courageous change necessary in order to regain health. In addition to relational, financial, legal and employment consequences that can occur due to alcoholism, in the United States it is one of the primary causes of nutritional deficiency. An example of such a deficit in people who are alcohol dependent is a lack of B vitamins. It is important for the recovering alcoholic to replenish these depleted vitamin stores.
B vitamins are a necessary part of detoxification from alcohol. Supplementing with thiamine (vitamin B-1) to increase the levels decimated by alcohol abuse helps decrease fatigue and also begins to repair brain function deficits such as poor memory and brain fog. Niacin (vitamin B-3) makes withdrawal easier, while pantothenic acid (vitamin B-5) increases the body's ability to get rid of the alcohol and supports adrenal function.
In addition to the immediate need for B vitamin replenishment due to alcohol withdrawal, the B vitamins also help ease some symptoms associated with the long-term recovery process. For example, insomnia and anxiety are common problems related to alcohol withdrawal and can last for up to a year as part of a cluster of symptoms that is called post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). Pyridoxine (vitamin B-6) helps in the production of serotonin and melatonin, two brain chemicals that aid in decreasing anxiety and improving sleep.
The vitamins B-6, B-1 and folic acid (vitamin B-9) are necessary components in the body's ability to maintain adequate iron levels and avoid neurologic problems. Alcoholism creates a lack of these nutrients, which may result in severe anemia and nervous system challenges. In addition, a B-6 deficiency is associated with depression, confusion, dermatitis and a weakened immune system.
Between 30 to 80 percent of alcoholics suffer from thiamine deficiency. Thiamine is an important part of brain functioning, including ability to learn and remember. It also helps in decreasing fatigue and increasing energy. A specific thiamine deficiency disorder seen in late-stage alcoholics is called Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. This syndrome's symptoms include confusion, loss of coordination, inability to form memories and loss of memory, making up stories and hallucinations. Though the loss of memory and intellectual functioning cannot be regained in these serious cases, high doses of thiamine may improve the confusion, delirium and muscle coordination. Fortunately, unless the B-1 deficiency has caused significant brain damage due years of sustained alcohol abuse, most recovering alcoholics can reverse thiamine deficit symptoms by taking supplements.
Adding a B vitamin supplement to your recovery regime may help you overcome any of these health conditions that may have developed due to alcohol abuse. However, consult your medical provider before making any changes. Though it may be difficult, it is very important for you to be honest with your doctor about your addiction in order to be given the proper support, resources, referrals and medical intervention.