NAD+ for Recovery

Find out why patients from all over the country are turning to Brain Restoration Therapy for lasting Recovery

For several years my clinic practiced what I would call “traditional” addiction medicine. I have used and continue to use medications that are effective in the treatment of substance abuse; medications like buprenorphine, also known as suboxone or subutex, to help opiate dependent patients slowly detox off their drugs of abuse and stabilize them with medications that prevent withdrawal and craving. A patient who’s life is out of control because of heroin or pain pill abuse can transform themselves with suboxone. We see it everyday. Patients can now function, work, be present for their families, and enjoy the lives they had once nearly destroyed.

But then I learned about Dr. Metsayer and the Brain Restoration Therapy Program NAD+ he was operating in Louisiana. I’m about as skeptical as they come; when Dr. Metsayer told me about the results of his IV infusions of NAD, I didn’t believe him. He told me about patients on high doses of opiates who experienced very little withdrawal and left the clinic 10 days later with no withdrawal symptoms and no cravings…essentially cured. The same was also true for alcohol. Folks who had never gone to the supermarket before without buying a bottle, now do not even think about it. They don’t crave or think about alcohol at all!

What is NAD+ for Addiction?

NAD or Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide is a simple metabolic coenzyme of Niacin. Niacin is a B Vitamin that is involved in energy production in every mitochondria of your body. It has been used since the 1930s to help people detox off of alcohol, opiates, stimulants, and tranquilizers. More recently it has shown to be effective in treating depression, anxiety and PTSD.

We know people afflicted with drug and alcohol abuse have a NAD deficiency state. For example, for every molecule of alcohol metabolized we use double that amount of NAD+ converting it to NADH. A low NAD/NADH ratio is associated with a craving for drugs and alcohol. Lower levels of cellular energy occur as a result of decreasing NAD levels both as we age and from any oxidative stress or substance use. Mitochondrial dysfunction results from a low fuel supply of NAD. This dysfunction propagates drug cravings and withdrawal.

The infusion of NAD significantly decreases any withdrawal symptoms and fosters a sense of well being. Dopamine neurons within the mesocorticolimbic circuit (reward circuit) appear to be restored and normalized. By the end of the infusion, patients are no longer in withdrawal and report no craving or desire to use.

Additionally, we offer a nasal spray formulation of NAD  and oral nicotinamide riboside. Both of which are very effective.

*Disclaimer: Although we and others believe NAD is an effective and lasting treatment for addiction to drugs and alcohol, it has not been studied by the FDA and is not an FDA-approved treatment.

Brain Restoration Therapy NAD+

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10-day process to eliminate cravings and withdrawal

Our intensive outpatient detox program is a multi-day program where patients receive a daily intravenous infusion of medications that reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Healthy brain chemistry is gradually restored. Mood, memory, and concentration all improve while patients detoxify and slowly heal.

We use NAD to assist in this detox process but also use other medications as medically necessary. Dr. Ken Starr and our office RN supervise this process.

A typical course of treatment lasts 5-15 days.

Brain Restoration Therapy NAD+

Educational Resources

Here is an article that does a fairly good job of explaining NAD and Brain Restoration therapy.

Article on Brain Restoration Therapy for Drug and Alcohol Addiction on the Fix.com Website.

Interview with Dr. Ken Starr on AddictionBlog.org about Brain Restoration Therapy. We were pleased to be the featured interview for the November edition.

Article from Western Journal of Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology. May-June 1961 by Dr. Paul O’Hollaren. This articles demonstrates the benefits of NAD for alcoholism, opiates and tranquilizers. It was previously called DPN or Diphosphopyridine Nucleotide which is the same as what we now call NAD. Conclusions noted:

  1. NAD alleviates withdrawal considerably
  2. Cravings are completely removed
  3. Emotional and mental attitude improves
  4. No toxic reactions or side effects are noted in over 11,000 patients treated.

NAD Therapy! Too Good to be True?

This is a history of what we know about NAD and it’s general role in biology and cell chemistry. It’s not related specifically to addiction, but it’s very informative and serves as a good foundation.

Recent study showing NAD reduces cravings and withdrawal. Dr. Metsayer from Louisiana and Dr. Stuller presented this poster at a recent national conference.

NAD+ Metabolism and the Control of Energy Homeostasis: A Balancing Act between Mitochondria and the Nucleus: This review article from Switzerland reviews how NAD influences metabolism and maintains ” mitochondrial fitness.”

Nicontinamide adenine dinucleotide, a metabolic regulator of transcription, longevity and disease: This review describes the role of NAD in longevity and age associated diseases. It appears in Current Opinion in Cell Biology 2003, 15:241-246

The Next Big Anti-Aging Drug: Everything You Need To Know About “NAD”.

Listen to this podcast by health guru Ben Greenfield. He interviews guests who do a terrific job explaining how and why NAD treatments are used.

Ben Greenfield. A discussion with experts on NAD+​ Therapy.
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An Essential Read:

A Current Review of NAD Benefits in Health and Longevity.This document is produced by our partner Archway Apothacary.