Substance abuse can make it easy for an individual to lose track of their eating habits, resulting in a lack of nutrition. Someone struggling with a substance use disorder will generally focus more on obtaining and using a substance rather than ensuring they consume well-balanced meals throughout the day. To stave off hunger, the person might only order simple takeaway meals that are low in nutritional value or may not even eat at all due to a lack of desire to eat that substance use can cause.
Many people struggling with addiction are skeptical and dismissive when you try to impose a radical diet change on them. IV vitamin treatment can enhance the nutritional value of the patient’s diet. According to research, 20 to 50 percent of people find a successful recovery through alcohol treatment.
According to a survey, 88 percent of people in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction need guidance and support when making nutrition decisions. Proper nutrition plays a significant role in a successful recovery since the body is already in a critical state from chronic substance abuse. While it may feel like the least of your concern during this difficult time, ensuring you consume a nutritious diet daily during recovery will make all the difference.
The Haven rehabilitation center is here to help guide you towards better health and a happier, more fulfilling life free of substance use.
Nutrition and Health Impacts of Alcohol
When an individual begins to consume alcohol, it can negatively impact many dietary patterns in the body, and the person may experience various health problems since the body stops absorbing vital nutrients.
B vitamins, such as vitamins B1, B6, and B12, may be unable to be absorbed by the body if it is exposed to too much alcohol. Folic acid and Vitamin B shortage can lead to anemia and other serious problems like Parkinson’s disease. Alcohol abuse can divert your ways from good nutrition.
Drinking alcohol can also negatively affect the liver and pancreas, which are two vital organs involved in nutrition and metabolism. When the liver or pancreas is damaged, nutritional deficits can be exacerbated, and an imbalance in the body can create an imbalance in the electrolyte.
These electrolyte imbalances must be addressed and treated promptly. Moreover, disturbance in blood sugar levels is also widespread amongst those who struggle with substance addiction. Substances like alcohol even prevent healthy foods from getting completely absorbed by your body which can lead to malnutrition. Getting nutrient IV therapies and additional supplements can be proven helpful during substance use treatment.
Nutritional Therapy in Recovery
The thorough process of getting the necessary nutrition through medical care is called biochemical therapy.
Neurotransmitters and damage to the body caused by drugs must be repaired when an individual suddenly switches from chronic drug abuse to abstinence. Higher amounts of stress hormones, such as cortisol, can deplete nutrients such as, for example,
- A variety of B vitamins, vitamins A, E, and C
- Mineral mixtures containing zinc
- Sodium and potassium electrolytes, for instance.
- Several vital fatty acids
An adequate nutrition plan will at the very least consider how these nutrients are affected and provide meals that can replace these nutrients and complex carbohydrates, protein, and fiber to promote good digestion and energy.
After determining an individual’s nutritional needs, a customized dietary plan can be created by a medical professional. This dietary plan can involve preparing meals and ensuring that the patient follows the treatment plan’s nutritional guidelines daily.
Healthcare Assistants
Nutritional support is essential during the fundamental process of recovery from addiction. Even after you leave rehab, a healthy diet can help pave the way to long-term recovery. After treatment, an individual’s recovery can be guided by following a healthy routine and limiting their exposure to drugs and alcohol.
A few benefits of forming this habit during recovery are increased energy, mental clarity, and overall well-being through cultivating a positive relationship with food. These advantages can help to ease and maintain the normalization of sober living over the long path to recovery.
Nutritional Support is Integral for Recovery
Nutritional support is essential to the body’s restoration and preservation during recovery. Deficiencies, malnourishment, and weight issues can all result from substance abuse. Nutritional support can help reverse the effects of stress on vital organs, including the digestive, central nervous, and cardiovascular systems. Natural anti-inflammatory and excretory system-cleansing effects are also a benefit of this supplement.
Nutritional support is integral to the healing process since it provides long-term prospects for recovery. Sober living is a real possibility following detoxification, but nutrition education is a must to make it successful in the long run.
Using drugs and alcohol to the point of addiction can have a devastating effect on a person’s physical and mental well-being. When a person’s diet, self-esteem, cleanliness, and general well-being are all pushed to the background because of substance abuse, this is a bad habit.
Identifying Deficiencies
Many people are aware that allowing substance abuse can lead to physical and mental health problems. However, the long-term effects of drugs and alcohol on the body, the mind, and vital organs are hardly understood. Insufficient zinc levels are typical among heavy drinkers. Meat, whole grains, nuts, and dairy products are some food sources of zinc that you may not be receiving enough of. This is also the case since alcohol increases urine zinc excretion and decreases intestinal zinc absorption. Treating a substance use disorder can be helpful when nutrition is maintained.
A zinc shortage manifests itself in a variety of ways, including impaired taste and smell can be found—sores on the face, and affected night vision. Symptoms of zinc deficiency, which are frequent in alcoholics, include depression, irritability, disorientation, and apathy.
To feed their good bacteria, addicts can help themselves by eating a diet high in whole, plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. Food that is good in amino acids, omega 3, and other nutrients can be taken to maintain a healthy diet.
Last but not least, keep in mind that efforts to improve physical health and correct the body’s biochemistry are not substitutes for many common addiction therapies but are used in conjunction with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is nutrition important for recovery?
The nutrients found in our food supply energy to your body. A person mentally and physically drained from abusing substances like drugs or alcohol will not pay heed to what they eat. Focusing on better nutrition can help an individual stabilize their mood and help their immune system get through the phase of recovery.
What is recovery nutrition?
Nutrition recovery involves physically repairing you against substance use through the foods you consume. The procedure of recovery nutrition ensures that your body will receive the nutrients your body needs in this critical state of addiction.
How many calories should I be consuming during recovery?
During recovery reaching between 800 and 5 thousand calories every day is recommended for a successful recovery. It can be challenging to consume more calories during a substance use disorder since the person does not usually feel hungry during this time. When reaching this calorie range, it is essential to fill up your daily intake with valuable calories, not unhealthy ones.
The Haven Offers Treatment for Addiction
The Haven treatment center is here to provide care if you or a loved one is struggling with a substance use disorder. Our premium facility offers the perfect environment for patients to safely and comfortably overcome their addiction.
We have a team of professionals who will create a customized treatment and nutrition plan to meet your condition’s needs best. Our proven detox methods and effective behavioral therapy programs have helped hundreds of patients reach recovery.
When you are ready to take the first step, call us at (561)-3288-627 to learn more about our services.
