Today, almost half of the people suffering from substance use disorders are getting prescribed opioids. These drugs are primarily used to treat chronic pain and to help recovering addicts wean off other addictive substances. 

Unfortunately, even when taken as directed, opioids can have adverse side effects, including nausea, constipation, weight gain, and sleepiness – all of which can lead to further health problems down the road. 

But there’s good news: A recent study has found that certain vitamins can counter these common side effects of opioids. 

Let’s look at some vitamins you should take to counter the side effects of opioids.

What Are Opioids?

Opioids are a class of drugs that work by mimicking chemicals that occur naturally in your body. They can be both manufactured and prescribed. 

Types include heroin, methadone, codeine, oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), fentanyl, and morphine. 

If you’re taking opioid pain medication for any reason, talk with your doctor about some helpful vitamins you should take along with them. 

Here are some vitamins you should consider taking:

Vitamin A

Having a doctor prescribe opioids for longer than three months can raise your risk of vitamin A deficiency. 

A study in pain medicine showed that patients who took opioids for more than three months had low levels of retinol – the form of vitamin A that’s normally present in food. 

In particular, these patients may have difficulty fighting off infections and maintaining their eyesight. And because vitamin A is also important for bone growth, it’s possible that taking high doses for extended periods could lead to weak bones or osteoporosis. 

Long-term use can also lead to anemia, fatigue, anxiety, and weight loss. Taking supplements containing beta-carotene or lycopene can help mitigate these risks by keeping your stores topped off while you’re on painkillers. Other vitamins that are helpful include vitamin C, thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pyridoxine (B6), folate, biotin, and pantothenic acid.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

The B vitamins often work together, so a deficiency in one may affect your levels of other B vitamins. A thiamine deficiency can lead to nerve problems that are similar to those seen in people who have Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, thiamine plays an important role in protecting you from withdrawal symptoms when you quit taking opiates. 

It helps restore balance to your nervous system and reduces some of the side effects like anxiety and paranoia that are common during withdrawal periods. 

Taking extra thiamine is especially helpful if you smoke or drink alcohol while on opiates as these activities further deplete your body’s supply of thiamine. 

The daily recommended intake for adults is 1.2 milligrams (mg) per day; however, some experts recommend up to 100 mg per day for smokers or heavy drinkers, according to Harvard Medical School. 

For example, B1 Thrive (formerly called Vivaxan) contains 200 mg per capsule and Medi-Strength Vitamin D3 with Bio-Thiamin contains 400 mg per capsule.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid and Sodium Ascorbate as Supplements, Lactobacillus as Natural Source)

While opioid use is associated with malabsorption, low levels of vitamin C have been implicated in drug craving, tolerance, and withdrawal syndromes. 

In a prospective study of 45 chronic heroin users presenting for treatment at a methadone clinic, vitamin C was found to be reduced in patients who subsequently relapsed (compared with those who remained abstinent). 

The authors suggested that ascorbic acid supplementation may help ameliorate opiate-induced deficiency symptoms and enhance treatment outcomes. 

For a considerable proportion of patients recovering from opiate addiction, replacement doses of vitamins B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), and C should be considered. 

The same recommendation applies to persons being treated for pain on long-term opioids. A recent trial has shown that high-dose thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin supplementation improve depression in elderly subjects taking opioids long-term. 

It remains unclear whether Lactobacillus acidophilus can improve outcomes among individuals taking opioids over a prolonged period; however, there are encouraging preliminary data indicating the benefit of Lactobacillus strains Bifidus and rhamnosus. 

Patients taking prescription drugs like Codeine or Oxycodone must talk to their doctor about whether they need any Vitamin supplements during their detoxification process since these medications deplete these nutrients.

Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol, Ergocalciferol, Calcitriol, Fortified Milk and Dairy Products, Fish Liver Oil, Mushrooms [Shiitake])

Vitamin D is important for maintaining proper kidney and heart function. Vitamin D supports normal blood pressure, promotes a healthy immune system, and protects against cancer by helping to regulate cell growth. 

In studies, vitamin D has been found to help individuals who are detoxing from opioid use by reducing some of their withdrawal symptoms. 

Whether vitamin D works on its own or in conjunction with other vitamins in preventing or treating opioid withdrawals is still being studied, but early results indicate that it may be useful in combating some of these adverse effects. 

For example, one study found that a combination of melatonin, magnesium, and vitamin C was effective at reducing nausea and vomiting in patients withdrawing from prescription opioids. 

This suggests that there might be something to using supplements as part of an overall treatment plan for those trying to withdraw from opioid addiction.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is good for detoxification and may help speed up withdrawal. Researchers recommend you take at least 400 IU per day in between detox sessions. The natural, mixed-tocopherol form (mixed Tocotrienols are preferred over pure alpha-tocopherol) is thought to be more effective than synthetic Vitamin E (including D). 

This antioxidant has several functions; it protects cells from damage and helps keep cell membranes flexible, which aids in nutrient absorption as well as membrane transport.

Many studies have linked vitamin E with protective effects against several types of cancer. It also plays a role in immune function and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. It’s important to note that high doses of Vitamin E can increase your risk of bleeding, so consult your doctor before taking it if you’re on blood thinners or other medications.

Final Thoughts

Suffering from opioid addiction? Sometimes quitting cold turkey isn’t easy, and withdrawal can be unpleasant. But it’s far better than living a life addicted to painkillers-and in many cases, you can treat your symptoms with vitamins and minerals, rather than prescriptions or other drugs. 

A study published in 2009 looked at four common opioids: hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin), methadone, and morphine sulfate. 

Researchers gave each patient a dose of vitamin C and then measured their blood levels over time. They found that patients who took vitamin C experienced less severe withdrawal symptoms compared to those who didn’t take any supplements. 

The researchers concluded that vitamin C, along with other vitamins, may be an effective treatment for managing milder forms of opioid withdrawal.