What is NAD+ IV Detox?

Posted on July 30, 2025

What is NAD+ IV Detox?

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is a coenzyme found in all cells, and it assists with the production of energy.

When people are battling addiction, the substances that they are ingesting exhaust the body’s amount of available NAD. This is not a good thing for the function overall.

This can lead to that person being unable to draw enough energy out of the food they eat, leading to a domino effect of issues.

A recent study at the University of New South Wales in Australia gave a detailed explanation about why NAD is so vital.

“Recent studies have shown that enhancing NAD+ levels can profoundly reduce oxidative cell damage in catabolic tissue, including the brain.

Therefore, the promotion of intracellular NAD+ anabolism represents a promising therapeutic strategy for age-associated degenerative diseases in general.” [1]

That is a significant finding as it shows how wholly NAD distributions can affect the body.

What is the NAD Treatment Process?

The Food and Drug Administration states that NAD “has been used since the late 1960s in intravenous form to significantly lessen withdrawal from a variety of drugs and alcohol.” [2]

The actual process is pretty straightforward. We have listed the steps below:

A medical examination will determine what mixture of NAD treatment the patient will need to have administered.
Every morning an IV with the mixture is injected.
The whole process can take up to eight hours, but the definite reduction of withdrawal symptoms is seen in up to 80% of patients.
The entire process must be completed each time, or the full effect will not be felt.

There can be multiple sessions throughout the withdrawal period. Between sessions, the cravings will be less, but they may sometimes still be there, so other forms of support like therapy are necessary to help cope.

Why use NAD Therapy?

There are multiple reasons to see this treatment option while going through the withdrawal period. The main benefits of using NAD are listed below.

It assists with flushing drugs out the system
Noticeable reduction of cravings and withdrawal effects
The body cannot get enough energy naturally so NAD IV treatment assists without causing energy drops like stimulants (e.g., caffeine, sugar, etc.)
Normalizes moods and reduces exhaustion
Can help with neurotransmitter repair

NAD+ and Withdrawal

Withdrawal involves a lot of unpleasant physical and mental changes including mood swings, irritability, and agitation.

These hard to control effects combined with cravings makes those first six months the most common period for relapse.

NAD can help with reducing cravings, balancing moods, and giving mental clarity. All with just a few treatments. [2]

Common side effects that NAD can assist with include the following.

Difficulty concentrating
Anxiety
Nausea and other flu-like symptoms
Headaches
Muscle pain and stiffness
Tremors
No appetite
Depression
Inability to think clearly
Excessive sweating
Additional symptoms

NAD+’s Role in Addiction

Reduction of naturally produced NAD due to drinking or battling other substance abuse can lead to cell death in the liver.

When the liver is unable to work properly it becomes inflamed, damaged, and can lead to dependency.

Injections of NAD not only have been shown to reverse takeover where the body is lacking, but it can also bind to the cells that are craving opiates or other substances to eliminate cravings. [2]

NAD+ and Cravings

While NAD always reduces cravings, in some patients it completely eliminated them after as little as a week and then the effects could last up to a year with continued IV treatments.

This is a phenomenal response and a great tool for rehab facilities and clinics. Without cravings to tempt the patient back into negative habits, there is a much higher likelihood of long-term success. [3]

How Long is the Treatment?

This will depend on circumstances, health history, and what types of substance addiction is involved.

However, the first sessions can be quite long, and it might be necessary to have them every day for the first week or two depending on your situation.

After that, there will be “booster” sessions that are shorter at about four hours each. You and your doctor will determine how long it will be necessary to take them.