Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) can range from risky drinking to alcohol abuse and dependence. It can impact a person’s job, relationships, and health. It can damage the liver, brain, pancreas, and stomach.
There is no cure, but treatments can help manage AUD. Treatment depends on the severity of AUD. It always requires avoiding alcohol. The cause is often complex, so a mix of medical, social, psychological, and behavioral therapies is needed. Setbacks occur. A stay at a substance abuse center may be needed.
Some people look to natural treatments to manage symptoms, but no treatment has been shown to be helpful.
Natural Therapies
Possibly Effective
- Acupuncture —to manage withdrawal symptoms and recidivismA1-A7
-
Milk Thistle
B1-B9 to asisst with related liver disease
- Note: Milk thistle may cause stomach upset and blood glucose changes. See below.
- S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) to asisst with related liver disease C1-C2
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Herbs and Supplements to Be Used With Caution
Talk to your doctor about all herbs or supplements you are taking. Some may interact with your treatment plan or health conditions.
Milk thistle may cause stomach upset. Since it may lower blood sugar levels, caution is advised with diabetes.
References
Acupuncture
REFA1 Bullock ML, Kiresuk TJ, Sherman RE, et al. A large, randomized, placebo-controlled study of auricular acupuncture for alcohol dependence. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2002;22:71-77.
REFA2 Sapir-Weise R, Berglund M, Frank A, et al. Acupuncture in alcoholism treatment: a randomized out-patient study. Alcohol Alcohol. 1999;34:629-635.
REFA3 Worner TM, Zeller B, Schwarz H, et al. Acupuncture fails to improve treatment outcome in alcoholics. Drug Alcohol Depend. 1992;30:169-173.
REFA4 Bullock ML, Umen AJ, Culliton PD, et al. Acupuncture treatment of alcoholic recidivism: a pilot study. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 1987;11:292-295.
REFA5 Bullock ML, Culliton PD, Olander RT. Controlled trial of acupuncture for severe recidivist alcoholism. Lancet. 1989;1:1435-1439.
REFA6 Trumpler F, Oez S, Stahli P, et al. Acupuncture for alcohol withdrawal: a randomized controlled trial. Alcohol Alcohol. 2003;38:369-375.
REFA7 Kunz S, Schulz M, Lewitzky M, et al. Ear acupuncture for alcohol withdrawal in comparison with aromatherapy: a randomized-controlled trial. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2007;31:436-442.
Milk Thistle
REFB1 Trinchet JC, Coste T, Levy VG, et al. Treatment of alcoholic hepatitis with silymarin. A double-blind comparative study in 116 patients [translated from French]. Gastroenterol Clin Biol. 1989;13:120-124.
REFB2 Bunout D, Hirsch SB, Petermann MT, et al. Controlled study of the effect of silymarin on alcoholic liver disease [translated from Spanish]. Rev Med Chil. 1992;120:1370-1375.
REFB3 Ferenci P, Dragosics B, Dittrich H, et al. Randomized controlled trial of silymarin treatment in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. J Hepatol. 1989;9:105-113.
REFB4 Benda L, Dittrich H, Ferenzi P, et al. The influence of therapy with silymarin on the survival rate of patients with liver cirrhosis [translated from German]. Wien Klin Wochenschr. 1980;92:678-683.
REFB5 Pares A, Planas R, Torres M, et al. Effects of silymarin in alcoholic patients with cirrhosis of the liver: results of a controlled, double-blind, randomized and multicenter trial. J Hepatol. 1998;28:615-621.
REFB6 Lang I, et al. Hepatoprotective and immunological effects of antioxidant drugs. Tokai J Exp Clin Med. 1990;15:123-127.
REFB7 Lang I, et al. Immunomodulatory and hepatoprotective effects of in vivo treatment with free radical scavengers. Ital J Gastroenterol. 1990;22:283-287.
REFB8 Saller R, Meier R, et al. The use of silymarin in the treatment of liver diseases. Drugs. 2001;61(14):2035-2063.
REFB9 Rambaldi A, Jacobs BP, Gluud C. Milk thistle for alcoholic and/or hepatitis B or C virus liver diseases. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007 Oct 17;(4):CD003620.
SAMe
REFC1 Rambaldi A, Gluud C. S-adenosyl-L-methionine for alcoholic liver diseases. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006 Apr 19;(2):CD002235.
REFC2 Mato JM, Camara J, Fernandez de Paz J, et al. S-adenosylmethionine in alcoholic cirrhosis: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter clinical trial. J Hepatol. 1999;30:1081-1089.