Taking amino acids when you are in recovery may support you to reshape your brain chemistry, so that you no longer experience the cravings for your old habit. According to the holistic-based Addiction Recovery Guide – nutritional supplements such as herbs, amino acids, vitamins and other nutrients restore the proper biochemical balance in the brain. These supplements are specified, according to your addiction, in an excellent book written by Charles Gant, MD, PhD, who has helped over 7,500 patients with his innovative nutritional program designed to help people addicted to drugs, alcohol, nicotine, or pain medication. D-phenylalanine is used in the treatment of heroin, marijuana, alcohol, food and tobacco addictions, while L-phenylalanine or L-tyrosine is used for food, caffeine, crack, cocaine, methamphetamine, tobacco and alcohol addictions. L-tryptophan could help with recovery from alcohol, Ecstasy, marijuana, tobacco and certain food addictions, while gamma-aminobutyric acid is used in the treatment of Valium, marijuana, food and tobacco addictions. L-glutamine supports alcohol and food addiction recovery.