Most problem drinkers eat badly and generally lack sufficient levels of vitamins (particularly B and C) and amino acids (the building blocks of protein). Excessive alcohol itself is toxic. The vitamins, herbs, and other supplements in our list can restore depleted nutrients and also aid in dealing with the effects of withdrawing from alcohol.

After a person stops drinking, the supplements can all be taken together during recoverya period that can take weeks or even months. Except for the sedative herbs, such as kava or valerian, they are also safe to use with prescription drugs that are sometimes prescribed to help a recovering drinker cope with withdrawal symptoms. Its particularly important during this period that you take a high-potency multivitamin as well as 1,000 mg vitamin C and 400 IU vitamin E every day.

How to use the supplements

Extra vitamin C, especially when used with vitamin E, can play a powerful role in recovery by clearing alcohol from the bodys tissues and by reducing mild withdrawal symptoms. B-complex vitamins, the amino acid glutamine, and kudzu vine extracts seem to help lessen the craving for alcohol. (Extra thiamin will also help with withdrawal symptoms.)

To aid the liver as it cleans the body of toxins, add the herb milk thistle, the amino acid NAC (N-acetylcysteine), and the B vitamin-like compound phosphatidylcholine (500 mg three times a day).

Alcoholics often have a problem with low blood sugar (hypoglycemia); the mineral chromium should help fight the fatigue associated with this condition.

Borage or evening primrose oil will help fend off withdrawal symptoms, such as seizure and depression.

The herbs kava and melatonin are natural sedatives that can help combat anxiety, tremulousness, and troubled sleep; the herb valerian (150 mg three times a day or 500 mg at bedtime, for sleep) can also be helpful, especially if sleeping is a problem. None of these should be used with prescription sedatives or tranquilizers.