NAD Therapy for Opiate Detox
- August 22, 2023
- Written by : Rebecca LaMarca, MSN, APN-BC, CNS
Long-term opioid misuse and addiction can significantly impact your cognitive and physical health. As such, a comprehensive treatment approach is crucial for effectively treating withdrawal symptoms while promoting a successful, long-term recovery. NAD+ IV therapy has shown promise as an effective medical intervention to help you detox and recover from opioid addiction.
Studies indicate that this infusion opioid treatment has the potential to alleviate your withdrawal symptoms, curb cravings and even repair cellular damage throughout your body.
What Is NAD?
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, or NAD, is a naturally occurring coenzyme of niacin found in all living cells in the body. NAD empowers various metabolic processes in the body, affecting your energy levels as well as mental clarity, cognition and digestion.
As an integral component of cellular processes, NAD has gained attention for its potential therapeutic applications. NAD levels decline as you age while depleting by factors like stress, poor diet and certain medical conditions. Addiction to substances can also lower our NAD levels. As a result, researchers have looked into the potential of using NAD+ supplementation to promote anti-aging, enhance health and lower relapse in addiction.
NAD+ therapy also encompasses different approaches aimed at enhancing your cellular health and function, including:
- Intravenous (IV) NAD+ therapy: This involves direct infusion of NAD+ into your bloodstream. Health providers might administer NAD to help you with detox, addiction recovery or overall wellness.
- Oral NAD+ precursors: These dietary supplements can potentially boost your NAD levels — often explored for anti-aging and metabolic benefits.
- Topical NAD+Creams: Topical NAD+ creams target skin health and repair.
Administering lab-produced NAD+ intravenously can boost levels of the chemical in your body, but they must be administered more to sustain that level. Proponents of NAD+ therapy claim it can boost energy, improve cognitive function and support various aspects of well-being. Research into NAD’s potential therapeutic benefits is ongoing, with studies focusing on its roles in metabolic disorders, addiction treatment and neurodegenerative diseases.
While more research is needed to fully understand the efficacy of this treatment, current studies indicate positive outcomes. It’s important that you consult with medical professionals before considering NAD+ therapy as part of a comprehensive addiction treatment plan.
Why Use NAD for Addiction Treatment?
Several studies show promise in using NAD+ therapy for addiction treatment, with benefits like reduced cravings, anxiety and depression during recovery and reduced relapse risk. Here’s why you might consider NAD for detox and opioid addiction recovery:
Natural and Essential
As mentioned, NAD is a naturally occurring coenzyme found in all living cells. It plays a critical role in cellular energy production and various biochemical processes, making NAD+ an ideal candidate for supporting detox and recovery. NAD+ infusions may offer a natural opiate detox when safely administered by certified professionals.
Compared to specific medication-based detox methods, NAD+ therapy is associated with fewer adverse side effects. While you can experience mild side effects like nausea, fatigue or headache, they are generally temporary and well-tolerated — making NAD+ therapy an effective detox for opiates.
Alleviation of Withdrawal Symptoms
One of the biggest challenges in opioid detox is the distressful withdrawal symptoms you can experience. These painful symptoms might have even driven you back to the addictions you’ve worked hard to escape. NAD+ therapy can help mitigate the following withdrawal symptoms to offer you a smoother transition to sobriety:

- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Muscle aches
- Anxiety and depression
NAD can help by producing more ATP, the primary carrier of energy in cells, to minimize withdrawal from addictive substances. Reducing these symptoms through NAD+ therapy can help you stay comfortable and focused on your recovery journey.
Reduction in Cravings
Another significant hurdle individuals face when overcoming addiction is cravings. You might experience an intense, uncontrollable urge to return to substance use. With its potential to rebalance neurotransmitter levels in the brain, NAD+ therapy might help reduce cravings for opioids — helping you combat relapse and stay on track for a more successful recovery.
Enhanced Energy Levels
Opioid withdrawal often leads to extreme fatigue and low energy. NAD+ therapy’s role in cellular energy production can help you combat these symptoms and regain your vitality more quickly.
Cellular Repair and Rejuvenation
NAD is a player in DNA repair mechanisms and cellular health. By providing cells with the necessary resources for repair and rejuvenation, NAD+ therapy may help reverse some of the damage caused by chronic substance use. The treatment can replenish brain nutrients depleted by substance use and prepare your body for ongoing addiction aftercare strategies.
Improved Mental Clarity
Opioid addiction can cloud cognitive function and mental clarity. NAD+ therapy’s impact on brain health and neurotransmitter balance might help improve your cognitive function, memory and emotional stability.
Whole-Person Approach
NAD+ therapy can be tailored to your specific needs, offering a more precise and effective approach to detox and recovery. You can pair NAD+ therapy with evidence-based treatments like therapy, support groups, mindfulness techniques, nutrition and exercise for a more comprehensive approach.
A whole-person approach addresses not only the physical aspects of addiction but also the emotional and psychological components. Using NAD+ therapy as part of a holistic approach can support your long-term recovery.
Reduced Relapse Rates
The alleviation of withdrawal symptoms and the potential to curb cravings can contribute to lower relapse rates post-detox, enhancing your chances of a sustained recovery.
In fact, halfway through a 2022 NAD+ therapy program, participants were tested for signs of relapse, and all urine samples tested were negative for illicit substances.
How NAD Detox Treatment Works
NAD+ therapy involves intravenous (IV) infusion of NAD directly into the bloodstream. The treatment process varies depending on a person’s specific needs and the severity of the addiction, generally involving:
- Administration and monitoring: Medical professionals will administer your IV infusion in a comfortable setting and closely monitor you throughout the procedure to ensure safety and effectiveness.
- Alleviating withdrawal symptoms: NAD+ therapy is believed to aid detox by replenishing NAD levels, supporting cellular repair and easing withdrawal symptoms. Over the course of treatment, you might experience reduced withdrawal symptoms for a more comfortable recovery.
- Repeated sessions: The frequency of your NAD treatment sessions can range from daily to several times a week, with the duration varying based on your response and progress. Typically, an opioid detox program will last at least one week.
NAD+ therapy is considered safe when administered by trained medical professionals. However, there are potential risks and side effects to consider, and it’s important to discuss these with your health care provider. Treatment costs depend on the length of treatment time and other factors, though intravenous infusions are eligible for FSA.
While NAD+ therapy shows promise in reducing cravings, you should combine it with support from therapists and other health professionals. Making NAD+ therapy part of a robust detox program can help you combat opioid addiction and lead a healthier, more productive life.
Book a Session With IV Elements Today
NAD+ therapy shows promise in treating opioid addiction by addressing withdrawal symptoms and aiding a comfortable recovery. Experience the benefits of NAD+ therapy in opioid recovery at IV Elements. Our NAD+ therapy can help support detox, reduce withdrawal symptoms and enhance your path to wellness.
With expert guidance from qualified nurses, our NAD+ IV therapy offers a comprehensive approach to your journey of healing and renewal. Discover the potential of NAD+ therapy with IV Elements. Contact us to learn more, or book an appointment today.

References:
- Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/nursing-and-health-professions/nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide
- Sobriety and Satiety: Is NAD+ the Answer?: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7278809/
- Clinical Evidence for Targeting NAD Therapeutically: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7558103/
- Role of NAD+ in Regulating Cellular and Metabolic Signaling Pathways: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7973386/
- Brain NAD Is Associated With ATP Energy Production and Membrane Phospholipid Turnover in Humans: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7772416/
- The Role of NAD+ in Regenerative Medicine: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9512238/
- NAD+ Metabolism and its Roles in Cellular Processes During Ageing: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7963035/
- Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) and Enkephalinase Inhibition (IV1114589NAD) Infusions Significantly Attenuate Psychiatric Burden Sequalae in Substance Use Disorder (SUD) in Fifty Cases: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/ben/cprr/2022/00000018/00000002/art00006
- BR+ NAD IV Therapy and Treatment: https://ivelements.net/nad-therapy
- Rehydration Solution: FSA Eligibility: https://fsastore.com/fsa-eligibility-list/r/rehydration-solution
BR+ NAD IV Therapy and Treatment
Studies have shown that NAD+ can help those battling from an array of aging and chronic conditions in the human body and brain, and can also be the light at the end of the tunnel for many people suffering from opiate, alcohol and other drug addictions.



