Broad Spectrum Micronutrients

and Recovery from Substance Use

‘…broad supplementation is more suited to the in vivo reality of the human body in which many nutrients act synergistically in a dynamic environment governed by tight homeostatic controls. Our increasing understanding of the…nervous system is paralleled by growing recognition that the likelihood of discovering a single heroic molecule is remote.’

Settle JE. Nutritional Supplements, in Complementary and Alternative Treatments in Mental Health Care. Eds Lake JH and Spiegel D. Arlington, VA, Amer Psychiatric Pub, 2007, p 128.

Connections

The Hypoascorbemia-Kwashiorkor Approach to Drug Addiction Therapy: A Pilot StudyAlfred F. Libby and Irwin Stone

Presented at the Western Regional Seminar of the International Academy of Preventive Medicine, July 16,1977, in San Francisco.

ORTHOMOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY, VOLUME 6, NUMBER 4, 1977, Pp. 300-308

Hypoascorbemia-Kwashiorkor Approach:

The Intervention Protocol

Narcotic intake is stoppedSodium ascorbate: IV 25-85 g/day x 4-6

days, then reduced gradually to 10-30 g/day

Multivitamins and minerals: orally; ~common dosage ranges

PHH-Pro, a predigested protein preparation: 9 Tbsp/day, orally

‘The general improvement in the well-being of the addicts within 12 to 24 hours after beginning….detoxification is striking. It is demonstrated by improved mental alertness and visual acuity; appetite is returning, and the addict is amazed that treatment is working without the use of another narcotic.’

Hypoascorbemia-Kwashiorkor Approach: The Intervention

Outcome

Libby and Stone

“Drug addicts suffer from severe metabolic dysfunctions.”

“Any attempted solution to the drug addiction problem which fails to [treat the health and metabolic problems of] the addict is doomed to failure.”

Libby AF and Stone I. Orthomolecular Psych. 1977; 6:300-8.

Ascorbic Acid Effects on Withdrawal Syndrome of Heroin Abusers

Oral ascorbic acid (& vitamin E) intervention for heroin addiction

Evangelou A et al. In vivo. 2000;14:363-6.

Other Published Medical Research Using High-Dose

Vitamin C to Treat Substance Use Disorders

Ascorbate (2000)Ascorbic acid: 300 mg/kg/day, vitamin E: 5mg/kg/dayorally administered in two groups of heroin addicts

Vitamin C-treated groups (in-patients and out-patients) - mild WS - 46.6% to 50% of the subjects, in contrast to control group, who experienced mild WS in 6.6% of the cases.

The vitamin C-treated subjects (in-patients and out-patients) - major WS - 10% to 16.6% of cases, in contrast to control subjects, expressed major WS in 56.6% of the cases.

Evangelou A, Kalfakakou V, Georgakas P, Koutras V, Vezyraki P, Iliopoulou L, Vadalouka A. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) effects on withdrawal syndrome of heroin abusers. In Vivo. 2000 Mar Apr;14(2):363-6.

RESULTS: Heroin Withdrawal Syndrome (WS ) Scores

Percentage

Mild WS Mod WS Major WS0

10

20

30

40

50

60

ControlVite C

Evangelou A et al. In vivo.2000;14:363-6.

Control vs Vite C: MILD= 6.6% vs. 46.6%; MAJOR= 56.6% vs. 16.6%

True Hope Substance Use Recovery Protocol

Many TH participants came to the program self-medicating

TH already using 2 of the 3 interventions indicated by Libby and Stone

TH began testing the Libby/Stone protocol (Vitamin C) [pg 29]

Finding – able to reproduce the results with lower doses of Vitamin C

Clinical Depression/Panic/Anxietyand Substance Use19 y/o boy dx CD April/09 dx P/A

Aug/09Difficult to stabilize on medsLithium (600mg), Marijuana (20-

25 hts/d) Symptoms: social withdrawal,

rage/anger, depression, anxiety

Clinical Depression/Panic/Anxietyand Substance Use Disorder

Prgm: EMP+ 15/d, TAS 3-4/h prn, VC 8-10 g/d

Add EFA 5g/d, Inositol 2400 mg prn, Protein isolate b/a exercise

2 months: tapered off lithium, Marijuana (avg. 6 hits/d)

7months: stopped Marijuana. 4 week relapse. Off Jan

Feels quite stable, family reports his symptoms are consistently improved

Bipolar and Alcohol Use Disorder64 y/o man diagnosed BPD

Dec/86, Klonopin (0.5mg), 5 HTP (patch)

600 mg, Symtoms: violent mood swings,

anxiety

Prgm: EMP+ crosstaper, TAS 3-4/h prn, VitC 10-20 g/d

discontinued alcohol 1.5 months: tapered off KlonopinInositol 24000 mg prnL-tryptophan 1500mg/day1 year sober and stable despite

some significant financial stresses

Clinical Depression/ Panic/Anxiety/ Substance Use Disorder

30 y/o male diagnosed Jul/08Poor responder to medsKlonopin (4 mg), cocaine (3-4

times/week), Hydrocodone (street purchase) 35-40 mg/day, Oxycontin (street purchase) 15 mg/day, Marijuana (3 times/week),

Prgm: EMP+ crosstaper, TAS 3-4/h prn, VitC 30-37 g/d (2 months then ↓)

Inositol 24000 mg prn, Vit D 10,000 IU prn, acetyl Cysteine 1200 mg/day (2 months)

1 month: discontinued Cocaine, Marijuana 6 month: discontinued Klonopin 7 months: completed taper of the

hydrocodone/oxycontin Did experience withdrawal from the abrupt

discontinuation esp. Klonopin. Remained free of all drugs. Received a promotion at work. Now able to work with the public.

Bipolar and Substance Use Disorder66 y/o man dx BPD May/08 Prozac (0.5mg)Two week prior to contacting TH he

Completed an 8 week detox with VA hospital for Percocet, morphine, valium, Marijuana, Alcohol

Still experiencing withdrawal and cravings. Prescribed Prozac for BP symptoms

Prgm: (July 08) EMP+ crosstaper, TAS 8-12/d prn, VitC 8-18 g/d

1 month: tapered off prozacInositol 24000 mg prn, choline

1600 mg prn1 year: some consistency issues

that led to instability - no drugs or alcohol. 21 months: remained stable, no substance use.