As you might know, there are countless types of therapy for addiction. One of the less well-known therapies is IV amino acid therapy. You might have heard of it before, or maybe it’s totally new to you. We’re going to take a look at the background of IV amino acid therapy for addiction. This will give you an idea of how it works and what to expect.
What is IV Amino Acid Therapy and Why Does It Help?
IV amino acid therapy is where an addict is given an IV full of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. According to Detox of South Florida (link), a facility in southern Florida providing rehabilitation and detox services, amino acid therapy is used for detox purposes and to limit withdrawal symptoms.
There are chemicals in the brain known as neurotransmitters. The neurons in the brain send impulses to other sections of the brain. If these are not functioning properly, there can be a variety of disorders in both the brain and in the body. When people are addicted to drugs or alcohol, a neurotransmitter imbalance occurs. Sometimes this can appear in the form of personality changes or mental and physical disorders.
Amino acid therapy can help to restore the brain and its neurotransmitters to the original state. This is because the IV puts amino acids, vitamins, and minerals into the body. By doing this, the detox process goes quicker. Additionally, this can help with withdrawals.
What Types of Addictions Can Amino Acid Therapy Help With?
As far as addiction is concerned, amino acid therapy is most useful for alcohol and drug addictions. These addicts make up a large percentage of the individuals who receive IV amino acid therapy.
According to Integrative Psychiatry, it has also worked in people with mental illness as well. It can sometimes be used in place of anti-depressants and other medications.
Where Can People Receive This Treatment?
Some doctors will offer IV amino acid therapy. You might have to go to a holistic doctor to receive the treatment though. You may find that a rehabilitation center offers IV amino acid therapy as well. If your doctor doesn’t offer IV amino acid therapy, you might be able to get a referral from them.
You can also find holistic or integrative doctors by searching for them online. Even if IV amino acid therapy isn’t listed on their website, you can call and ask to be sure.
Most IV amino acid therapies last for about one week. The results should appear shortly after the therapy has been completed. This depends on the level of commitment from the addict though, so there is a chance of relapse.
What Should Be Done Alongside Amino Acid Therapy?
Amino acid therapy is fairly effective. Still, it’s important that the addict is held accountable for staying clean. Support from family and friends can be extremely beneficial here.
In order to make sure the addict doesn’t relapse, special care should be taken. Every little bit of motivation can be helpful as the person moves further and further away from the addiction. Amino acid therapy is a small step toward healing. Other steps do need to be taken to ensure that the individual goes back to living a healthy lifestyle.
A doctor can give you specific instructions on what exactly should be done after completing amino acid therapy. There are a few general ways that former addicts can work toward their goals. Counseling, medication, and support groups tend to be very helpful with this.
Is Amino Acid Therapy Effective?
According to Addiction Helper, amino acid therapy can be very effective for some people, but some people will respond better to the treatment than others. This can also be dependent on the type of addiction that you have been battling. The success of the therapy can also vary based on the person. Some users simply don’t notice a difference.
Another important factor that goes into amino acid therapy is the formula that is used. In general, the medical professional will use a variety of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. They blend these together to create the amino acid treatment. This can mean that there is some trial and error until the right formula is made. The medical professional will make sure that you are getting what you need. They will be watching your reactions to the ingredients.
Overall, it is pretty effective. As with all medications and treatments, some people will not experience the desired results.
In short, IV amino acid therapy can be an effective way to treat addictions and other health concerns. If you or a loved one is battling an addiction, this can be a great option. If you want to learn more about the treatment or want to know if it could work for you, you should check with your doctor.