ZINC IMBALANCE AND THE OPPORTUNITY OF ZINC SUPPLEMENTATION IN ALCOHOLICS AND DRUG USERS

Zinc deficiency is well-documented to be associated with alcoholism, being considered a consequence of unbalanced eating habits in such patients. The present review focuses on zinc imbalance in drug addicts and on the possible beneficial role of zinc administration as dietary supplement. All relevant literature published up to May 2015 was searched. The search was performed using the keywords "zinc" plus "alcoholism", "addiction", " dependence", and the name of different drugs of abuse (classes or representatives). Human and animal studies were included. In alcoholism, zinc deficiency is not only due to malnutrition and malabsorption which are characteristic to this condition, as there is evidence of increased elimination and altered distribution of zinc. In opioid addicts, zinc deficiency is also commonly encountered and opioid administration in animals determines changes in zinc distribution. Studies regarding the zinc status in other drug abusers are inconsistent. Zinc deficiency in drug addicts also seems to affect some neural mechanisms involved in the downward spiral of addiction, as decreased zinc is associated with depression-like symptoms, known to induce drug-taking behavior. Moreover, zinc deficient animals are resistant to dynorphin-induced feeding. Conclusion: Based on evidence in the medical literature, the present review pleads for a beneficial role of zinc supplementation in alcoholics and opioid-users, not only in order to correct or prevent a metabolic imbalance, but also to influence some cerebral mechanisms involved in drug-taking behavioral patterns.