Opioid Addiction Could Be Curtailed By The Most Important Vitamin Under The Sun

This country has been struggling with opioid addiction at epidemic proportions for the last three decades. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, as of 2018, approximately 10.3 million people aged 12 or older had misused opioids in the past year, and 2 million had an Opioid use disorder (OUD). https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/7/24/eabe4577

But how do we turn the tide? How do we help people successfully conquer addiction? I’ve been working tirelessly to find the answer to this question and educate people about alternative methods to control pain. I’ve been making appeals at the highest levels of government to enact legislation to amend easy access to opioids. So, I have to admit that recent news about a study in which Vitamin D deficiency is being looked at as having the potential to increase the risk of dependency and addiction to opioids is pretty thrilling. That means that increasing Vitamin D levels could reduce the craving for the drug.

The findings of the study, published in Science Advances, suggest that addressing the common problem of vitamin D deficiency with inexpensive supplements could play a part in combating the ongoing scourge of opioid addiction. https://neurosciencenews.com/vitamin-d-deficiency-opioid-sun-seeking-addiction-18612/

I know I’m in for a bit of backlash from some people when I suggest that people suffering from OUD get out into the sunshine without using sunscreen, but I’m going to say it. The sun is the most important source of Vitamin D. I’m not suggesting overexposure, but a maximum of 15 minutes on a daily basis could make a big difference. And, if you want to avoid the sun, Vitamin D deficiency is safely and easily treated with low-cost dietary supplements. But honestly, what could be healthier than going for a walk, playing with your kids, going to the beach, spending time in Mother Nature? Mother Nature may very well be an effective aid for the scourge of opioid addiction. I for one would not be a bit surprised.