Home
>
Nutritional Supplements
>
Vitamins for the Recovering Alcoholic

Vitamins for the Recovering Alcoholic

I have frequently heard alcoholics who are in early recovery remark that, "If this is what recovery is like, I'd rather go back to drinking." Vitamin deficiencies, particularly of the B vitamins and vitamin C, may be responsible for much of the lethargy, skin irritation, memory loss and depression experienced by people who are newly recovering from an addiction to alcohol. Though these symptoms may have been ongoing while the alcoholic was actively drinking they may seem less tolerable while not under the influence of alcohol.

Alcoholics often replace food consumption with alcohol. Unfortunately, the calories gained from alcohol are what are frequently referred to as "empty calories." That is, they are calories lacking nutrients and of little value to the body. Additionally, alcohol gets in the way of the body absorbing and using the vitamins and minerals of the food that the alcoholic does eat. The combined effect is to leave the alcoholic nutrient poor.

Individuals in recovery can benefit from a healthy diet and a vitamin regimen.* Vitamin B in general, and particularly vitamins B1 (thiamin), B3 (niacin) and B5 (Pantothenic Acid) play a role in turning sugars into energy. Pork is one of the best sources of B1, other sources include cereals and nuts. B2 can also be found in pork and fortified cereals, as well as, salmon and swordfish. Whole grains, milk, eggs, and liver are perhaps the best food sources for Pantothenic Acid.

Meanwhile, B6 and B12 play important roles in producing blood cells and the health of the nervous system. Both of these important vitamins are frequently depleted by years of heavy drinking. Good sources for both of these are meat. Additionally, B6 is found in bananas, avocados, and peanuts. B12 is only found in animal by products; however, this list includes dairy and eggs.

Vitamin C, plays an important role in keeping the skin healthy, and plays an equally important role in the health of bones, teeth and blood vessels. Deficiencies in vitamin C can also be responsible for irritability, weakness and muscle fatigue. The best and most consumed source of vitamin C in the United States is orange juice from frozen concentrate. Other sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits, broccoli, potatoes and cantaloupe.

For the average American, eating a healthy diet, vitamin B and C supplements are often unnecessary. However, early in their recovery, alcoholics should seek the advice of a doctor about a proper regime of vitamins and diet. Paying attention to health matters can increase the chances of successful recovery from alcohol addiction.

*For a good comparison chart of vitamins see the patient article section on the University of Maryland Medical Center website.

About the Author: David Westbrook has worked in the field of crisis intervention and addictions for several years. He is the host of http://www.alcoholismresources.com If you are interested in contracting him to write articles for you, contact him at http://www.alcoholismresources.com

recurring maid service Buffalo Grove ..

In The News:

The iconic Mary Kay pink Cadillac goes electric with the Cadillac Optiq, available only to the company's top 1% of sales force performers.

Cybercriminals abuse trusted Intel driver to gain kernel access and shut down Windows Defender, enabling undetected malware deployment since July 2025.

Using email aliases for online shopping and subscriptions can protect your privacy by preventing companies from linking your activity across websites.

New research shows AI overlap does not equal job replacement, with knowledge-based roles seeing most integration while physical jobs remain least affected.

Scammers target seniors who avoid social media by exploiting public records like obituaries and real estate filings to steal personal information and money

Recovery team in Italy use AI-enabled drones to detect missing hiker's red helmet, leading to successful recovery after months of ground searches

Google Salesforce system breach exposes business data while scammers use incident to target users with fake security calls and phishing attempts.

Google announces Pixel 10 lineup with Tensor G5 chip and Gemini Nano AI, introducing Magic Cue, Pro Res Zoom up to 100x and satellite emergency support features.

C San Diego study reveals 86% of school safety companies monitor students 24/7 on personal devices, raising privacy concerns.

Users can now add their favorite outlets' coverage to the Top Stories section of Google search results by utilizing the 'preferred sources' feature. With just a few clicks, you can add Fox News.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Interstellar object 3I/ATLAS shows an unexpected frontal glow that Harvard's Avi Loeb says cannot be explained by sunlight reflection or standard cometary outgassing.

Receiving order confirmations for purchases you never made could mean your email address is being exploited in fraud operations targeting multiple retailers.

First wireless brain implant works with Apple's official protocol, enabling hands-free control of iPhones, iPads and Vision Pro through thought alone.

Data brokers sell personal details that scammers use to target retirement funds through fake financial advisor calls and convincing phishing attempts

Ten innovative tech solutions from gait sensors to smart pill dispensers help adults 65+ track fall risks and prevent injuries before they happen.

Meta AI internal documents revealed chatbots were allowed to flirt with children and engage in romantic conversations until the company was exposed by Reuters.

ChatGPT will avoid giving direct mental health advice under new OpenAI rules following instances where the AI model provided harmful or misleading responses.

Your phone tracks you in more ways than that little GPS icon suggests. Here’s how to find and clear hidden location logs on iPhone and Android.

Authorities in France and the Netherlands have been notified. Meanwhile, impacted customers are being told to stay alert.

Apple just rolled out a redesigned Blood Oxygen feature to specific models, following a recent victory in a legal dispute.

Kidney dialysis provider DaVita experienced a ransomware breach by the Interlock gang affecting 916,000 people in the second-largest U.S. healthcare attack of 2025.

A Chinese-made Unitree R1 robot walked Manhattan streets and shopped for shoes as part of KraneShares' $28 million AI robotics fund promotion campaign.

The ShinyHunters cybercriminal group breached Google's Salesforce system through vishing attacks, stealing business contact details and customer data.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Vitamins for the Recovering Alcoholic

Nutritional Supplements