What sets The River Source apart from other treatment centers in the scope of alternative therapies that are offered to clients. From hypnosis to neurofeedback to naturopathic therapy, there are options to assist addicts through all stages of recovery. One of the cornerstones of our treatment approach is IV nutritional therapy. You’ll hear about it a lot when learning about our treatment center, so it’s important to be familiar with this alternative therapy and what it has to offer.

What is IV Nutritional Therapy?

IV therapy is a method of delivering vitamins, minerals, and amino acids into the body, through the bloodstream. A small intravenous catheter is placed into a vein so that these nutrients can be delivered into the body over a period of time. IV therapy is firmly based on medical and scientific research, and it is used in a variety of treatment regimens because of its power to heal the body, improve health and well-being and prevent certain conditions.

Below are some of the nutrients commonly used in IV therapy:

• Magnesium
• Calcium
• Zinc
• Vitamin B5, B6, B12
• Vitamin C
• Glutathione
• Selenium

All of these vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids work together to restore what is depleted in the body. Some of the brain chemicals that are restored, for instance, include GABA, dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. This is highly critical for addicts who need to increase healthy brain activity and decrease the dangerous cycle of using drugs and alcohol for pleasure.

What are the Benefits of IV Therapy?

There are clear-cut advantages to IV therapy, and the benefits differ depending on the condition treated, the protocol used, the overall health of the client, and how many treatments are done.

The greatest advantage of IV nutritional therapy is that the body gets vital nutrients, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. These nutrients bypass the stomach and go directly to the organs. Levels in the body are restored so that addicts feel stronger and healthier. This is a complete turnaround from the addicted body that is exhausted from drug use, irregular sleeping, poor diet, and other harmful behaviors. Withdrawal only depletes the body further. That is why IV therapy is one of the first treatments offered at The River Source.

Here are some of the improvements that are seen from IV nutritional therapy:

• Improved energy
• Improved mental focus
• Decreased cravings
• Increased pleasure
• Pain relief
• Enhanced mood
• Increased calmness and relaxation
• Balanced blood sugar
• Improved sleep patterns

How is IV Therapy Used at The River Source?

Here at The River Source, we use vitamin IV therapy with a combination of other alternative therapies. We use this therapy at the beginning of treatment so that recovering addicts have the opportunity to rid the body of harmful toxins and build it back up with essential vitamins and minerals. This makes our clients feel better, especially after going through the withdrawal process that is mentally and physically exhausting.

What we find is really the winning solution is pairing IV therapy with dry sauna detox. What the detox does is sweat out toxins that are making the body weak and sick. These are then replaced with nutrients from the IV therapy. It’s almost like getting a new body! Not only do recovering addicts have more motivation, energy, and strength to fight their addiction, but also they get a taste of how wonderful true health can feel. It’s a great experience that really helps our clients.

Additionally, we use oral vitamin therapy that includes the pill, powder, or drop form of certain vitamins and minerals. Massage therapy and acupuncture are also helpful in early recovery as the body is repairing itself and rebuilding its overall health. Since IV therapy can help treat a variety of conditions such as hypertension or chronic pain, recovering addicts also get the dual benefit of having co-occurring conditions relieved. This can help the addiction and its cravings.

How Can I Get Started?

Vitamin IV therapy is offered as part of our naturopathic detox program, in conjunction with oral vitamin therapy, acupuncture, massage therapy, and sauna treatments. Even though IV therapy involves placing a needle into the arm, the process is very comfortable. You will sit in a bright and clean room with comfy chairs during the process, and a doctor from our treatment center will supervise. The rest and rejuvenation that comes from IV therapy make this experience positive, laying the foundation for long-term, healthy recovery.