Overusing substances has soared in North America. It’s possible to promote recovery though, and IV therapy Toronto strategies can provide valuable insight. In fact, key nutrients, such as NAC, can be administered as adjunctive support. 

Recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) is an individualized journey, intertwining the healings of physical, social, emotional aspects. It should be noted that some substances may not only affect the brain; Health Canada confirms that damages to the lungs, liver, and kidneys, and other organs can ensue from SUD. 

Reaching out for help is commendable for combatting compulsions, which may include misusing alcohol, cannabis, stimulants, and more. Actually, the integrative functional approach to wellness can potentially improve SUD-related biological changes. For example, poor energy levels and depression can result from the excessive use of substances, and these can be potentially targeted with personalized therapies, such as intravenous and oral supplementation. 

This article focuses on a nutrient called N-acetylcysteine (NAC), which has demonstrated promising effects for substance recoveries. 

Review: What is NAC?

• • Due to its anti-inflammatory components, NAC has been shown to help manage various conditions linked to oxidative stress and inflammation. It may also act as an adjuvant therapy for managing blood sugar levels, improving brain function, and for supporting cardiovascular health needs. NAC is commonly used for treating acetaminophen poisoning and lung collapses.
  • N-acetylcysteine is a form of cysteine, which is a type of amino acid. NAC acts as a powerful antioxidant and precursor to glutathione, a tripeptide that also exerts potent antioxidant effects. Glutathione can help protect the body from cellular damage and support detoxification.  
  • Because NAC boosts the production of glutathione, oxidative stress – which can cause and exacerbate inflammation – can decline with NAC, thereby reducing inflammation. 
  • It’s also important to note that, “Oxidative stress and reduced antioxidant status are common to many psychiatric disorders inclusive of schizophrenia, depression, bipolar, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Increasing production of glutathione assists in the restoration of redox imbalance in these conditions.” 
  • Medical journals have explored NAC for its role in treating substance overindulgences. It’s been posited that the nutrient may offer beneficial effects for cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and issues with cognitive function. 

Understanding NAC for Substance Use Disorder

According to a Current Psychiatry report, 85% of people struggling with substance compulsions do not seek formal help “…and those who do are older, have a longer history of use, have more severe dependence, and have sought treatment numerous times before.” Nonetheless, research is revealing that NAC can promote beneficial effects for SUD recovery: 

• • It may help regulate glutamate levels: Unnecessary stimulants can boost glutamate in the human body; though the neurotransmitter is beneficial, excessive amounts can be detrimental to your brain health. Supplementing with NAC can help moderate glutamate levels, lessening glutamate levels for your recovery. 
  • Can help neutralize free radicals: Labs have shown that people who overuse alcohol tend to be overburdened with oxidative stress; this can cause toxic effects on your overall cellular health, bodily tissues and organs. As NAC helps boost the production of glutathione, it can neutralize free radicals that may contribute to and exacerbate oxidative damage. This could assist with certain aspects of cognitive function, such as memory. 
  • May contribute to repairing immune function: Excessive drug and alcohol use can impede white blood cell production, thereby weakening your immune cells. NAC has been shown to contain immunomodulatory properties that can regulate immune function, which is necessary for recovering from substance overuse. 
  • NAC could contribute to preventing relapses: Scientists have noticed that people who were already abstinent from substances and took NAC ended up extending their abstinence. Early research suggests that NAC may help extend periods of abstinence; therefore, it could be beneficial in reducing relapse risk.

NAC can be taken as oral supplementation (i.e. capsules) and customized as an IV drip. If you’re ready to take your next steps for recovery, let’s meet! Along with prescribing NAC drip therapies, we can provide a fresh blend of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and more. Learn more about our IV therapy treatments below.  

Suggested reading: Struggling with Menopause? 7 Nutrients Suggested by Our IV Therapy Toronto Lounge

Accessing Tailored Vitamin Drips in Our IV Lounge

There are advantages to getting intravenous therapy:

1. 1. It guarantees a complete absorption of nutrients, which may not always be the case with oral vitamins. 
   2. It doesn’t require the digestive tract, which means you can potentially avoid digestive issues, such as cramping and diarrhea. 
   3. Intravenous nutritional solutions rapidly enter your bloodstream for immediate use, helping to optimize your recovery period and hydration. 

When IV therapy drips are added to a regime of healthy eating, exercise and functional medicine therapies, they can contribute to optimal health outcomes. 

Our IV Lounge can be accessed by our Toronto Functional Medicine Centre patients, and doses of nutrients are prescribed by our experienced team of clinicians. Along with NAC, we offer vitamin C, iron, alpha-lipoic acid, several amino acids and trace minerals, NAD+, and other nutrients. 

Your intravenous dosage is unique to you only – we customize doses to match your current biological needs, such as mineral deficiencies. All doses are modified with the principles of integrative functional medicine. By personalizing your dose, we take your uniqueness into account for supporting wellness enhancement. FYI: Your IV therapy appointment is always monitored for safety by our health team. Our team includes naturopathic doctors, registered nurses and nurse practitioners. 

Along with IV therapy treatments, we offer vitamin D injections, conventional medicine, naturopathic and herbal treatments, psychotherapy, holistic nutrition, and other modalities. These can be integrated into a functional medicine treatment plan. Our personalized therapies are suitable for managing a wide range of concerns, including nutrient deficiencies, substance overindulgences, muscle recovery from an athletic performance, poor collagen production, chronic inflammation (oxidative damage), aging effects, and more. 

Reawaken your body with nutrients to help boost mental clarity, energy, and more. IV therapy from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre is now available for new patients – call our clinic directly to reserve your initial appointment.  

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media. 

 

References

“About substance use” from Health Canada, the Government of Canada, modified April 3, 2024, viewed on March 7, 2025. 

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