Learn / Does IV Drip Therapy Really Help With Detox and Recovery?
IV drip therapy is a new—and controversial—way to treat addiction. Treatment is just what it sounds like: clients receive vitamins and nutrients intravenously. The goal is to speed up detox, and help with ongoing addiction recovery. And while it sounds promising, there’s some debate about whether it actually works.
Some experts say it relieves the symptoms of detox and withdrawal. It might also ease the other physical side effects of addiction. But many doctors call for more evidence, saying this treatment isn’t worth its high price. You can try IV drip therapy at several luxury rehab centers—but make sure you understand the pros and cons before you get started.
During this treatment, a medical professional administers a vitamin solution through an IV.1 These solutions consist of various vitamins and minerals, like amino acids, vitamin C and B, NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), and more. You’ll sit and relax for 30-60 minutes while the infusion enters your system. Different rehabs offer various types of IV drip therapy. They might even tailor each treatment to address your specific symptoms.
In vitamin IV therapy, you’ll receive a specific combination of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Various treatments can target different physical symptoms. For example, studies show that the Myer’s Cocktail,2 a mixture of magnesium, calcium, B vitamins, and vitamin C, helps prevent migraines, fatigue, and respiratory issues. If you have more specialized concerns, FHE Health offers customized vitamin IV infusions.3
NAD+ is a naturally occurring coenzyme. It heals and creates new cells, effectively boosting your energy levels. It also protects against stress. Experts say that NAD+ IV therapy alleviates detox symptoms.4
Some providers also use it to treat mental health issues. The Sanctuary at Sedona offers NAD+ therapy5 to clients with depression, PTSD, and anxiety, as well as addiction. Mary L. Deluca, psychiatrist and Medical Director, says that treatment improves clients’ cognition, energy levels, and sleep habits.
The effectiveness of IV drip therapy1 is up for debate. People usually get enough vitamins from a balanced diet, and adding extra vitamins may not actually boost your health. On the other hand, some experts recommend it for detox and addiction recovery.
Some rehabs recommend IV therapy during recovery, especially during detox and withdrawal. Treatment may also help you heal from the physical impacts of addiction. Supporters of IV drip therapy cite several positive effects.
Like most treatments, IV drip therapy has pros and cons.1 And some experts think it doesn’t work at all. Columbia University professor Dr. Ariel Igal calls it “the placebo effect.” Others say it has unnecessary risks.
As controversial as vitamin infusions are, they’re very helpful for some clients. But this treatment is just one way to approach recovery. If you’re interested in IV therapy, talk to your medical providers about whether it’s safe for you.
Compare treatment options at luxury rehabs, including their pricing, insurance coverage, and other complementary therapies.
Trendy IV vitamin infusions don’t work—And might be unsafe. Experts explain why. (n.d.). Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2022/02/24/warnings-about-drip-bars/
Gaby, A. R. (2002). Intravenous nutrient therapy: The “Myers’ cocktail.” Alternative Medicine Review: A Journal of Clinical Therapeutic, 7(5), 389–403.
IV vitamin infusions during detox & rehab | fhe health. (n.d.). FHE Health – Addiction & Mental Health Care. Retrieved from https://fherehab.com/services/iv-vitamin-infusions/
Braidy, N., Villalva, M. D., & van Eeden, S. (2020). Sobriety and satiety: Is nad+ the answer? Antioxidants, 9(5), 425. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9050425
Nad+ therapy. (n.d.). The Sanctuary at Sedona. Retrieved from https://www.sanctuary.net/iv-therapy/nad-therapy/
Holistic therapies at the holistic sanctuary. (n.d.). The Holistic Sanctuary. Retrieved from https://www.theholisticsanctuary.com/treatment-methods/
That gut feeling. (n.d.). Https://Www.Apa.Org. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/09/gut-feeling
Does iv vitamin therapy actually work? . (n.d.). AARP. Retrieved from https://www.aarp.org/health/drugs-supplements/info-2022/iv-vitamin-therapy.html
Smith, M. A., Chick, J. D., Engleman, H. M., Kean, D. M., Mander, A. J., Douglas, R. H. B., & Best, J. J. K. (1988). Brain hydration during alcohol withdrawal in alcoholics measured by magnetic resonance imaging. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 21(1), 25–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/0376-8716(88)90006-3
Harper, J. (2019, August 22). Addiction clinics market unproven infusion treatments to desperate patients. NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/08/22/741115178/addiction-clinics-market-unproven-infusion-treatments-to-desperate-patients
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