NAD+ & Addiction: Why People Are Using NAD+ Therapy to Recover from Alcohol and Opioid Addiction
- John DiBella
- Published: August 21, 2025
- Fact-checked by Dr. Desiree Granados
Recovery from alcohol and opioid substance use disorders is often complex and deeply personal. While traditional treatments such as medication-assisted therapies and counseling remain essential, many individuals are turning to innovative approaches to strengthen their recovery. One option gaining attention is NAD+ therapy.
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a naturally occurring coenzyme found in every cell of the body. It plays a vital role in energy production, DNA repair, and healthy brain function. For individuals struggling with substance use disorder, NAD+ therapy is showing promise as a way to reduce cravings, boost energy, and support overall well-being.
How NAD+ Therapy May Curb Cravings
Substance use can deplete the body and brain of critical resources, leaving individuals vulnerable to cravings, fatigue, and emotional imbalance. NAD+ therapy may help restore balance in these systems in several key ways:
- Cellular energy restoration: NAD+ supports mitochondria, the “powerhouses” of cells, helping repair damage and improve overall vitality. This restoration of cellular energy is believed to promote a healthier mind-body connection, which is critical during early recovery.
- Neurotransmitter regulation: By influencing dopamine and other key brain chemicals, NAD+ may help reduce the intensity of cravings and rebalance mood. Since alcohol and opioids disrupt the brain’s reward system, replenishing NAD+ levels could help normalize brain signaling and reduce the overwhelming urge to use substances.
- Feelings of satiety and calm: Many individuals describe experiencing a renewed sense of well-being after NAD+ therapy. This often includes decreased compulsion to use substances, improved emotional stability, and greater resilience in handling triggers or stressors.
Together, these benefits suggest that NAD+ therapy addresses both the physical depletion and the mental-emotional toll of substance use disorder, making it a potentially powerful ally in long-term recovery.
Evidence from Research
The 2022 NAD+ Infusion Study
A clinical study published in 2022 evaluated the effects of NAD+ and enkephalinase inhibitor infusions in individuals with substance use disorder. Results were highly encouraging:
- Cravings, anxiety, and depression decreased significantly throughout the course of treatment.
- Improvements were dose-dependent, meaning that individuals who completed the therapy showed the greatest benefits.
- Drug screenings were negative midway through treatment, suggesting participants were better able to resist relapse during therapy.
Researchers concluded that NAD+ infusions were associated with measurable improvements in both mood and craving control, highlighting the therapy’s potential to enhance recovery outcomes.
Expanding Clinical Insights
Beyond this study, clinical experiences continue to support NAD+ as a therapy that may ease withdrawal, reduce cravings, and restore clarity of thought. Some practitioners note that individuals often report improved sleep, sharper focus, and a more balanced emotional state after NAD+ sessions. These improvements can strengthen long-term commitment to sobriety by making recovery feel more manageable and less overwhelming.
Clinical Implications
Potential Benefits of NAD+ Therapy
NAD+ therapy is being recognized for a wide range of potential benefits that may complement traditional recovery methods, including:
- Easing withdrawal symptoms such as cravings, anxiety, irritability, and depression.
- Supporting brain and body recovery by replenishing cellular energy and promoting repair.
- Improving clarity, motivation, and mood, which are essential in building new habits and healthy coping strategies.
- Reducing relapse risk by providing individuals with the physical and emotional resilience needed to stay on track.
- Enhancing overall quality of life by helping people regain energy, focus, and a sense of balance that substance use may have taken away.
A Holistic Tool in Recovery
NAD+ therapy can be integrated into a comprehensive recovery plan that may include counseling, peer support groups, nutritional therapy, and medical care. By addressing both the biological and psychological aspects of recovery, it can serve as a bridge between physical healing and emotional stability.
Conclusion
NAD+ therapy is emerging as an exciting new tool in the journey of recovery from alcohol and opioid substance use disorders. By replenishing the body at a cellular level and helping regulate brain chemistry, it shows potential to reduce cravings, enhance well-being, and give individuals the strength to maintain sobriety.
Recovery is never one-size-fits-all, and every person’s journey is unique. For some, NAD+ therapy may provide the additional support needed to move forward with confidence and clarity. With ongoing research and growing awareness, NAD+ has the potential to become a valuable part of comprehensive recovery strategies, offering individuals new hope for healing and lasting wellness.
How we reviewed this article:
- Nichola J Conlon (2021). The Role of NAD+ in Regenerative Medicine
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9512238/ - Nady Braidy (2020). Sobriety and Satiety: Is NAD+ the Answer?
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7278809/ - Blum, Kenneth, et al. (2022). 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 - Qiqiang Chen, et al. (2024). NAD+ supplement relieved chronic sleep restriction (CSR)-induced microglial proinflammation in vivo and in vitro
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165572824001887 - Sarah Melton, et al. (2023). Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) Attenuates the Rate-Decreasing Effects of Oxycodone Withdrawal in Rats with No Apparent Abuse Liability
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022356524004531
Current Version
August 21, 2025
Written By
John DiBella
Fact-checked By
Dr. Desiree Granados
Editorial Process
Our Editorial Process
John DiBella is the co-founder and CEO at The Sanctuary Wellness Institute. His goal is to foster healthier lifestyles to improve individuals’ quality of life and health span through online medical and non-medical services. When he’s not writing health & wellness articles for The Sanctuary, he enjoys hiking, camping, surfing and sailing.
