Can Nootropics Help With Stopping Alcohol?

Substance addiction, also referred to as Substance Use Disorder (SUD), is a chronic and relapsing brain disease that affects both physical and psychological functioning.

It develops when repeated exposure to drugs or alcohol alters brain chemistry, particularly the reward and motivation systems, leading to compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences.

When intoxicating substances are consumed, the brain releases dopamine, a chemical responsible for reward and motivation.

Frequent and long-term substance use overstimulates these reward pathways, reducing the brain’s ability to experience pleasure naturally.

As a result, individuals may become dependent on drugs or alcohol simply to feel “normal” or to function day to day.

Symptoms of Substance Addiction

As addiction progresses, the brain and body adapt to the presence of the substance, leading to a psychological or physical (or both) dependence.

Cessation can lead to withdrawal symptoms ranging from fatigue, anxiety, and irritability to nausea, tremors, depression, and seizures in more severe cases.

This cycle of intoxication, withdrawal, and craving reinforces ongoing substance use, despite the awareness of how these substances impact the user’s life, physically, mentally, socially, financially, and so on.

Substance addiction is not a moral failing or a lack of willpower, but a disease influenced by genetic vulnerability, mental health, environmental and social factors, requiring appropriate medical, psychological, and social support to treat effectively.

What are Nootropics?

Nootropics, often referred to as “smart drugs,” are substances that are consumed in order to improve cognitive ability, whether it be concentration, focus, memory, critical thinking, and so on.

Although these substances are commonly prescribed to people suffering from cognitive impairments, such as ADHD, Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, narcolepsy, and so on, many people consume these “smart drugs” while facing pressure at school or work, for example.

What Are the Benefits of Nootropics?

The benefits of nootropics vary according to each substance. Not only that, but scientific studies vary in their conclusions regarding the efficacy of certain nootropics.

Many of these substances are still under scrutiny regarding the extent to which they can benefit patients.

However, common benefits associated with nootropics include:

Improved focus and creativity
Enhanced memory
Stabilised mood
Increased brain plasticity

What Are Examples of Nootropics?

While many of these substances do have cognitive benefits, some may be overstated. Some of the most popular examples of Nootropics include but aren’t limited to:

Prescription drugs: Prescription drugs, such as Adderall, Modafinil, Ritalin, and so on, are often used to treat conditions whether it be ADHD, narcolepsy, or other, by supporting mental performance and alertness. While the effects of these prescription drugs vary, they commonly increase the brain’s levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, reducing GABA, and so on.
Caffeine: A more common form of nootropic that you’ll encounter in your daily life is caffeine. Found in coffee, tea, chocolate, sodas, and other common items in the supermarket, caffeine is known for enhancing alertness or masking tiredness. By blocking the adenosine, the neurotransmitter that makes us feel tired, caffeine consumers feel more alert, focused, and energised.
L-Theanine: Commonly found in green tea, L-Theanine is often consumed with the purpose of promoting feelings of relaxation without the side effects of drowsiness or fatigue. It is often used to minimise feelings of anxiety, stress, and to improve sleep quality.
Fish oil: Often consumed for its neurological benefits and to improve joint health, fish oil is also a nootropic. Its omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) play a key role in brain health, which is why fish is often referred to as “brain food”. They support memory, focus, and mood by helping maintain healthy brain cells and improving communication between neurons, making omega-3s a valuable supplement for overall cognitive function.
Creatine: While it is often used as a supplement to support performance in the gym, creatine also offers a number of neurological health benefits. Studies show that consuming around 10g of creatine can boost memory and focus, and even improve plasticity in the brain. Studies show that it can be particularly beneficial for patients who have suffered from a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury).

Can Nootropics Help With Stopping Alcohol Addiction?

It’s paramount that you consult a medical professional before not only seeking addiction recovery, but combining recovery methods with the use of nootropics and “smart drugs”.

1. What Does Science Say?

As with any study, it’s important to proceed with caution. There are many variables to consider, such as diagnosed and undiagnosed disorders, substance quantities, the substance itself, social and environmental factors, and so on. It can be difficult to quantify the benefits of nootropics among addicted people.

2. Incorporating Nootropics Safely Into Your Lifestyle

However, nootropics can aid the recovery process. They will not treat or “cure” substance or alcohol addiction alone, but it is possible to safely incorporate nootropics into a recovery programme to enhance your responsiveness to treatment.

Many natural nootropics, such as L-theanine, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, caffeine (in moderate consumption) and so on, can be incorporated naturally into your diet and lifestyle. Regardless of addiction, these can provide physical and psychological benefits to aid your recovery journey.

What are the Side Effects of Nootropics?

Nootropics come in many different forms, so it’s important not to generalise the side effects, especially when considering each patient or subject is different.

However, common side effects of nootropics consumption or misuse can include:

Headaches: Increased neurotransmitter activity, such as glutamate, for example, can lead to experiencing headaches.
Anxiety: Consuming too high quantities of nootropics can actually lead to anxiety, which is a common symptom of substance addiction. Substances such as caffeine, modafinil, Adderall, Ritalin, and so on, can lead to feelings of trepidation and anxiety when consumed excessively.
Dependence: Some nootropics, whether it be caffeine, Adderall, Ritalin, can be addictive when used excessively. While they may offer health benefits, consuming high quantities can lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms when you go without the substance.
Insomnia: Nootropics that promote alertness and block out neurotransmitters such as adenosine can not impair our sleep quality. In turn, this can lead to increased levels of fatigue, drowsiness, and poor physical health.
Nausea: Patients have reported experiencing stomach cramps, diarrhoea, and nausea when consuming nootropics.
Cardiovascular issues: Users of nootropics have reported cardiovascular issues such as heart palpitations, high blood pressure, and more.

How to Incorporate Nootropics into Alcohol Addiction Recovery

It’s important to understand how to incorporate nootropics into your drug and alcohol addiction recovery journey:

Seek diagnosis from a medical professional: Ultimately, it’s imperative to seek medical diagnosis when suffering from a substance addiction. Whether it’s alcohol addiction, cannabis addiction, cocaine addiction, or else, it’s important to seek expert advice before taking it upon yourself to recover from something as serious as an addiction.
Enter a drug and alcohol rehab: It’s important to undergo a recovery programme – as an inpatient or an outpatient – to optimise your responsiveness to treatment methods. Outpatients are able to undergo hours of addiction treatment each week, while maintaining occupational or personal responsibilities, whereas a residential rehab for inpatients is suitable for those who need to be in the most supportive environment possible to facilitate recovery.
Take advice from professionals: It’s important to question the effects of these substances, and not to take information online without seeking legitimate advice from a reputable and unbiased source. Ultimately, addiction needs to be as personalised as possible, and what may benefit one person may not benefit another.
Seek natural sources of nootropics: It’s important to incorporate nootropics naturally into your lifestyle. People who consume “smart drugs” are often doing so in order to withstand high levels of stress and responsibilities, rather than addressing the issue itself. Instead, slowly incorporate natural sources of nootropics into your diet and lifestyle, whether in the form of green tea, coffee (in moderation), or pharmaceutical fish oil.

Recover From Addiction Today

Addiction isn’t something that you should have to face alone. At Rehab 4 Addiction, we connect individuals with trusted and professional addiction treatment services that are tailored to their unique needs.

Whether you’re suffering from a physical or a psychological dependence – or both – we will cater to your specific health requirements.

Whether you are exploring public healthcare options or considering private rehab for a more personalised approach, our team is here to guide you, answer your questions, and support you at every step of the journey.

Reach out by dialling 0800 140 4690 (or +44 345 222 3508 from outside the UK) for treatment enquiries, questions, and general advice from a trained professional to take the first step towards a healthier, more stable, and fulfilling life in recovery.

Boris MacKey

Boris is our editor-in-chief at Rehab 4 Addiction. Boris is an addiction expert with more than 20 years in the field. His expertise covers a broad of topics relating to addiction, rehab and recovery. Boris is an addiction therapist and assists in the alcohol detox and rehab process. Boris has been featured on a variety of websites, including the BBC, Verywell Mind and Healthline. You can connect with Boris online at LinkedIn or X.com.