Are Vitamins Considered Drugs?

Vitamins and other dietary supplements are regulated by the FDA, meaning that they are considered foods and not drugs. If you take a vitamin C and calcium supplement every morning, for example, you are not “popping pills”, you’re simply taking vitamins.

However, some vitamins and supplements can interact with medications and cause adverse reactions. There is also a chance that some chemical substances are falsely marketed as vitamins and supplements, putting consumers at risk. 

Can You Become Addicted to Vitamins?

It’s always a good idea to consult your primary care physician or another medical professional before taking any vitamin, even if you have read up on the vitamin extensively and you believe taking it will be safe. Unfortunately, in this day and age, it is difficult to determine what is safe to take and what is unsafe before first consulting with a medical professional. In addition, the FDA has published numerous reports of dangerous drugs being marketed as vitamins and certain vitamins interacting with other medications in potentially dangerous ways. Can you become addicted to vitamins? No. But it is always a good idea to know exactly what you are putting into your body. 

Are Vitamins Considered Drugs?

RESULTS OF MIXING VITAMINS AND MEDICATIONS 

According to the FDA:

Certain dietary supplements can change absorption, metabolism, or excretion of a medication and therefore affect its potency. Consequently, combining dietary supplements and medications could have dangerous and even life-threatening effects. For example, drugs for HIV/AIDS, heart disease, depression, treatments for organ transplants, and birth control pills are less effective when taken with St. John’s Wort, an herbal supplement. Depending on the medication involved, the results can be serious.

 It is not uncommon for people in recovery for substance abuse and dependence to struggle with underlying mental health concerns, for which they are prescribed antipsychotic medication. Therefore, if you have been taking an antidepressant or an anti-anxiety medication, for example, it is a good idea to consult a psychiatric professional before taking any vitamin or supplement. It is also not uncommon for people who have struggled with addiction to suffering from malnutrition or vitamin deficiencies. 

More About Consequences After Mixing Vitamins And Medications

Abusing chemical substances makes it difficult to eat properly and take care of yourself in any other capacity. You might undergo nutritional counseling while in medical detox or inpatient treatment — just make sure that the vitamins you end up taking do not interact with any other prescribed medication. If you have any specific questions regarding this information, you are more than welcome to reach out to Allure Detox at any point in time. 

ALLURE DETOX AND MEDICATION-ASSISTED TREATMENT

At Allure Detox, we offer a medically monitored detox program that focuses on restoring physical, mental, and emotional health. In addition to treating drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms as soon as they develop, we offer therapeutic care to help facilitate mental and emotional healing. 

We offer medication-assisted treatment options to those in need, especially those struggling with an opioid or alcohol abuse disorder. In many cases, medication can be beneficial when it comes to alleviating the more severe symptoms of physical withdrawal and reducing the intense psychological drug and alcohol cravings that often lead to relapse.

Get Nutritional Guidance at Allure Detox Today!

We also offer nutritional guidance to clients who come to us with nutritional deficiencies. Of course, we double-check any potential interactions to ensure that the vitamins and supplements we provide do not adversely interact with any medications.

To learn more about Allure Detox and our comprehensive detox program, feel free to reach out to us directly through our website or over the phone. We look forward to speaking with you and answering any additional questions about taking vitamins or our detox program. 

Published on: 2021-09-01
Updated on: 2022-02-15