In addition to undergoing treatment, one of the integral elements of addiction recovery is a nutritional exam. Such an evaluation is essential to determine other risk factors and to ensure early and complete recovery from any addiction. It also helps to decide the treatment based on the physical condition and weight of the patient. Therefore, it is important to maintain a healthy diet during the addiction treatment phase.
The addiction often escalates and endangers a person to the point where it becomes extremely difficult to maintain a healthy diet and even organize food. Over time, people with nutritionally deficient diets are at increased risk of contracting infectious diseases, developing symptoms of mental illness such as depression and anxiety, and lacking the focus needed to carry out everyday tasks. They become fatigued, irritable and, in the most severe cases, are invaded by thoughts of self-harm and suicide. At the end of the day, their addiction prevents them from living their lives to the fullest.
When a person enrolls in an addiction treatment or detox center, it is standard procedure to ask about his or her eating habits, such as how many times a day he or she eats, whether he or she includes vegetables and fruits, or whether he or she has lost or gained weight over the years. last months. Such consultations, which are an integral part of the nutritional assessment process, not only allow treatment providers to decide whether patients require medical or nutritional intervention, but also tailor nutritional regimens to the assessment results of the patient and their substance. of abuse.
Vital role of nutrition in curbing addiction
Detoxification is the first step in the addiction treatment process in which toxins are removed from the patient’s body as they prepare for the next stage of treatment. It is during this stage that cravings and withdrawal symptoms are usually the hardest to bear. Although no specific diet can deter a person from becoming addicted to it, it has been observed that healthy eating habits not only speed up the recovery process, but also help in abstaining from addiction to a substance.
Here are some nutritional tips for people in the recovery and post-recovery phases:
- Have timely meals: People with addiction problems often forget what it is like to eat regular meals. They are more likely to worry about your next drink or high, thus giving up other priorities in the process. This affects your mental and physical health and increases your risk of developing depression. A healthy eating routine can boost a person’s immunities and protect them from relapse or other adverse effects of malnutrition.
- Eat easy on the tummy food: People struggling with addiction are also likely to experience gastrointestinal problems, such as constipation, diarrhea, and nausea, especially after kicking their addiction to a substance. Eating easily absorbed foods, such as fruits, vegetables, oats, and sprouts, which are high in fiber, allow for a smoother transition from substance abuse to sobriety.
- Includes vitamins and minerals: Substance abuse causes a deficiency of minerals and other nutrients such as vitamins necessary to maintain healthy functioning of the body. People with alcohol problems are generally deficient in the B vitamins, vitamin D, and the mineral thiamine, which are essential for producing energy from food, regulating calcium absorption, and supporting neurological functions, respectively.
- Say no to sugar: Foods high in sugar can trigger a dopamine rush, especially for people trying to quit alcohol. They are likely to experience sugar cravings due to the drop in their blood sugar levels. There is a greater susceptibility to a relapse, since high sugar levels can also cause mood swings and episodes of anxiety and depression.
eat well to live well
Eating healthy and routine meals is one of the pillars of a healthy and sober lifestyle. It feeds the body and mind, as well as preventing the onset of mental disorders. It also supports a smoother and faster recovery, and prevents the likelihood of a relapse.