Alcoholism is a chronic condition that can cost you positive aspects of your life like your job or family because it is difficult to beat. Alcoholism creates a physical dependence by altering your brain chemistry, meaning you may need help with the withdrawal symptoms that occur when you attempt to stay sober. Calcium is one nutrient greatly affected by chronic alcohol consumption, and may play a role in correcting your brain chemistry to reduce your dependence on alcohol.
BRAIN CHEMISTRY
When you develop alcoholism, your brain chemistry changes so the neurotransmitters gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, and dopamine are less effective. While these are the primary channels of alcohol dependency, your body also creates more receptors in your brain known as voltage-sensitive calcium channels. These channels increase excitement in your nervous system and cause cravings when you stop drinking, according to research in the journal “Alcohol Health & Research World.” Researchers with Oregon Health Sciences University found that blocking these channels to prevent the uptake of calcium may actually reduce withdrawal symptoms that prevent sobriety from being successful. In this way, calcium may actually harm your sobriety somewhat.
ACAMPROSATE
It is not all bad news for calcium, however. Calcium is a key component of the drug acamprosate, which the FDA approved for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal in July 2004. The calcium acetyl homotaurinate in the drug is believed to relieve withdrawal symptoms of alcoholism, such as insomnia and nervousness, by regulating GABA in your brain. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, acamprosate may be safer than other alcohol dependency treatment drugs because it does not have a risk for dependency and is not metabolized by your liver.
CALCIUM DEFICIENCY
It is not well known if calcium is harmful or helpful to sobriety on its own, but recovering alcoholics may need to increase their calcium intake anyhow. Alcoholism can create a calcium deficiency by lowering your vitamin D and magnesium levels. If you are recovering from alcoholism, taking a calcium supplement along with a vitamin D supplement may help your body naturally recover lost calcium for improved bone health, nervous system function and enzyme production.
COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT
Staying sober after treating alcohol dependency is difficult and requires more than a simple calcium supplement to be successful. You must address both the physical and psychological conditions that cause you to crave alcohol if you want to remain sober, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Admitting you have a problem is an important first step, after which time you can enter an inpatient treatment facility, attend Alcoholics Anonymous and exercise regularly to help curb your cravings.