Methods and compositions of reducing or eliminating the symptoms of withdrawal from drug or alcohol in drug or alcohol-dependent persons, while restoring the patient to nutritional health.The methods including parenteral administration of solutions containing high doses of ascorbic acid, including the serial administration of doses of ascorbic acid that differ in concentration by at least 10 fold (by weight).Compositions of the invention comprise at least about 20% (w),or at least about 25% (w), or at least about 30% (w), or at least about 35% (w), or at least about 38% (w) of ascorbic acid and a local anesthetic.
