NAD Treatment
Ask your doctor about their experience with
NAD therapy for addiction.
There are several “pop-up” clinics that offer IV NAD that do not have the experience or expertise for addiction recovery. The clinic should provide licensed physicians or therapists that have experience in addiction recovery. They will be able to understand the physical and emotional mechanisms during detoxification and will be equipped with resources to handle the emotionally difficult situations that may arise.
Ask if the clinic’s medical doctor has experience facilitating NAD therapy for addiction detox and if they have any experience in addiction medicine.
NAD IV and Alternative Therapies
Your treatment should begin with an assessment to evaluate your physical, emotional, and mental health. This may be done with an admissions counselor who has experience in addiction recovery, or you may even speak with a licensed physician. The evaluation should identify challenges that may arise in during your treatment. Those who have experienced trauma, or have underlining health conditions, will need a customized treatment plan that could include additional therapies to help maximize the treatment.
Additional therapies that pair well with NAD therapy include:
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Hyperbaric oxygen
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Infrared or UV light therapy
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Intravenous vitamins, such as vitamin C, Myer’s Cocktail, glutathione, etc...
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Vivitrol
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Cognitive Behavior Therapy
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Massage
How much does NAD IV therapy cost?
Typical Cost of Treatment
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Alcohol Detox – 10 days $13,500 - $15,000
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Heroin/Hydrocodone Detox – 10 days $13,000 - $15,000
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Fentanyl Detox – 14 days $18,900 - $21,000
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Benzodiazepine Detox – 14 days $18,900 - $21,000
*These prices are current estimates of the number of days and associated price a clinic will recommend for a detox, depending on the substance.
NAD therapy for addiction recovery can be costly, so it is important that you feel confident in your decision. Before you commit to NAD therapy, you should receive a clear budget or estimate of the total treatment cost.
Things to consider in your total treatment budget:
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Number of treatment days
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Cost of travel
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Cost of food
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Available accommodations in the area
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Cost of additional therapies
NAD IV
Most NAD detox clinics offer outpatient services,
meaning they do not offer overnight accommodations.
Here are some important considerations for booking accommodations and transportation:
How far away is the hotel?
It is important to evaluate if you will need to rent a car, or if other transportation is available.
Does the hotel encourage drinking?
Certain hotels can be triggering for patients. Hotels with pools, large bars, or hotels that host big events may not be supportive for someone going through detox.
Will there be a sober companion?
Navigating back and forth from a clinic during a detox can be miserable, especially if that person must do it alone. Most clinics highly recommend having a loved one, or a sober companion to offer support during the treatment process.
What time of day does the treatment start and end?
Typically, a clinic will start the treatment early in the morning because one bag of NAD can take up to 10 hours to complete. This means you may need an extra day or two of travel time if you are flying in out of state.
Tips From a Patient Adovcate
How to best prepare for NAD treatment.
Before Arriving at the Clinic
Eat a Healthy Breakfast
NAD IV may upset the stomach, so it is recommended to start off with a full stomach. Avoid breakfast that normally would cause gastrointestinal distress.
Drink Lots of Water
If you are dehydrated, it will make the nurse's job more difficult to find a vein. This means the nurse may have to try a few times to find a vein. Help avoid unnecessary pain by drinking plenty of water before you start each IV.
Pack Your Medications and Supplements
Bring all your medications and or supplements in with you for the physician to go over with you. Do not stop any medications without consulting a physician.
Lab Work and Tests
If you have had any recent lab work or genetic testing, bring it with you for the physician to review. Most clinics may require lab work once you arrive at the clinic.
Prepare for a Movie Day
Bring snacks and drinks, and wear comfortable clothes. Most clinics will have TV to watch or other forms of entertainment, but bring something to occupy your time just in case. You will be sitting in a chair for a long period of time, so bring supplies to help pass the time.
First Day of Treatment
It is okay to be nervous. It is okay feeling unsure of what to expect and how you are going to feel. Take a deep breath. For the first day, take the day to get to know your surroundings and create a relationship with the staff.
Side Effects
It is normal to feel some side effects from the NAD. This may include a heavy feeling in your chest, stomach cramps, or pressure in your head, almost like sinus pressure. Let the staff or nurse know about any of the symptoms you are feeling because they be able to recommend something that can help reduce the side effects. If the side effects become overwhelming, you can pinch the IV line until the nurse comes to review your symptoms.
And remember to drink water throughout the day.
After treatment
Some patients have reported that the beneficial side effects of NAD, such as mental clarity, increased energy, and reduced craving, will get stronger for months to come. You should feel more effects more energized more clarity getting better and better each day. Listen to your body when you start to feel the NAD wearing off and remember there are things you can do at home to keep it going for you.