NAD+ Therapy — The New, Faster Way to Detox
Cassiobury Court is one of the leading addiction treatment centres in the UK. Over the years we have been searching for new and improved ways to speed up the process of addiction recovery. It was during this research that our director Mr John Gillen looked into the prospect of bringing NAD therapy to the UK and Europe. Since then the therapy has been implemented at our London and Spanish centre making them the first centres in Europe to offer NAD therapy in addiction treatment. Since then John has been pioneering its expansion into addiction treatment centres across Europe.
What is NAD+ Therapy?
If you have an alcohol or drug addiction, a lot of pressure is put on your body from these substances, and many people with addictions don’t look after their health in general. This can lead to a number of vitamin deficiencies and malnutrition, which if left untreated, can have long term consequences. One thing in your body that can be depleted when you’re suffering from an addiction is your NAD levels, also known as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, an enzyme that helps break down food and convert it into cellular energy for your body. That’s why people with addictions are now seeking a treatment known as NAD+ therapy, where your NAD levels are slowly replaced, helping you to have more energy and enhancing your mood.
NAD therapy can be used to help treat all sorts of addictions, although studies have shown they are most effective in those addicted to alcohol and/or opiates.
Causes of NAD depletion
It’s not just an addiction that can cause a depletion of NAD. Mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and PTSD can use up your body’s reserves, and it’s also associated with conditions from Alzheimer’s to Parkinson’s. As you get older, you’ll also have fewer NAD reserves naturally. There have also been links made between addictions to drugs and alcohol and people who have lower NAD levels, meaning it could be a contributing factor to addiction. Therefore, if your NAD levels are already low due to one of the above conditions, and you regularly abuse drugs or alcohol, you may be more likely to develop an addiction and dependency on these substances.
Is this a new therapy?
NAD therapy is sometimes known as amino acid therapy, and while it’s quite new to the UK and USA, it’s actually been around since the 1960s. However, it wasn’t until the early 2000s that research into using NAD therapy for addictions led to the opening of specialised clinics.
Going through NAD+ therapy
NAD therapy for addictions is carried out as part of a drug or alcohol detox programme. Detox is the process of getting all the drugs and alcohol out of your system, which allows you to start the rehab process. This kind of therapy won’t work as a standalone treatment, it needs to be carried out alongside addiction counselling by qualified professionals.
NAD is a co-enzyme which is administered through an IV, so all you have to do is lie back while it slowly enters your bloodstream. Using an IV means that the co-enzymes travel to your brain, rather than being digested in your stomach. Some people find that having an IV gives them a bit of a headache, and there can be some discomfort, but for most people, this passes and towards the end of the treatment they may already start to feel a rush of euphoria and energy.
Replacing your NAD levels can be helpful during addiction treatment, as it replaces the rush you got from drugs and alcohol to a natural one produced by your brain converting food into cellular energy. It can also help:
· Remove the drugs from your system faster, helping the detox process and meaning you don’t have to suffer withdrawal symptoms for longer than necessary. This can be extremely helpful for those who are dependent on drugs and have been unable to detox fully in the past because of side effects.
· Give you more energy — many people who go into rehab find that they feel sluggish and tired due to the effects of the substance on their body. NAD therapy gives them a boost and gives them natural energy.
· Make you feel more alert, but without the negative side effects that drugs, alcohol, sugar or caffeine cause. This helps people who are suffering from a lack of mental alertness who want to feel ‘normal’ again/
· Reduce cravings for drugs or alcohol, helping you through the rehab process and perhaps even speeding it up.
NAD therapy is often found in places such as private clinics where it’s used for anti-aging purposes, as it can help repair damaged DNA which can start to repair sun damage, reduce fine lines and give you an overall glow. It’s also used by those with a high-pressure lifestyle who need a boost, for example, those who party a lot or work long hours and who need something to pick them up, without the negative side effects. It’s marketed as an all-natural therapy, and is usually more straightforward, with shorter sessions than those who come in because of an addiction.
Undergoing NAD therapy
When you see a doctor for NAD therapy, they’ll discuss the length of treatment needed and how often you’ll need top-ups. They’ll then prescribe a low or high dose, depending on your needs, with higher doses taking longer to administer. In general, this kind of therapy is very relaxing. A doctor or nurse hooks you up to the IV and you simply lie back and relax, usually within the confines of a private treatment room. Other than being given a buzzer in case it gets too uncomfortable, there’s not much else to it other than read, enjoy the view or chill out.
Rehab and support
NAD+ therapy can be an excellent way to kick start your recovery and get you through the difficult withdrawal stage, but it’s important to note that in order to stay sober long term, you’ll need help and support.
Many people use NAD therapy to kickstart their addiction recovery, with NAD sessions on a regular basis throughout a drug or alcohol rehab programme. When used alongside therapy, holistic treatments and group support, it offers an excellent way to stay sober in the long term.
An advantage of having your NAD therapy at rehab centres rather than as an outpatient is that you get a full support package. There are plenty of providers who offer these kinds of therapy as a quick fix, but addiction is a complex issue which often needs more than one type of treatment so that you can physically and mentally heal.
The long-term effects
While NAD therapy is often used to help overcome your withdrawal symptoms in the short-term, some people with addictions go for regular top-ups to help with their cravings. It’s certainly less troublesome than regularly using drugs or alcohol since it’s legal, has minimal side effects, and has less of a toll on your body. However, there haven’t been many studies about the long-term effects of using NAD therapy, or whether it can help your sobriety in the long term, so it’s important not to see it as a miracle cure. If you want to stay sober for life, then a rehab programme followed by aftercare is likely the only way to do so, although NAD therapy may help you stay on the right path.
Does NAD+ Therapy Work?
Yes, if you have an addiction and feel trapped in a cycle of trying to detox and relapsing, then getting some help such as NAD therapy could help you through the difficult alcohol or drug detox process, breaking the cycle, with many studies claiming it can reduce withdrawal symptoms as much as 70–80%.
