Every person should develop healthy eating habits, especially those who are recovering from alcohol or drug abuse.
Even short-term addiction can take a massive toll on the body since it is forced to defend itself against harmful substances, as well as to eliminate them.
Promoting good nutrition by achieving a healthy and balanced diet is essential in helping the body recover from the consequences of substance abuse.
Recovery centers can help with substance abuse, but you’ll need to play your part (whether you or a loved one is recovering from drug or alcohol addiction).
Taking the route if a substance abuse treatment center is beneficial in numerous ways, not to mention you can learn a lot.
One of the best ways to do your part is by minding your health.
How Substance Abuse Disrupts Nutrition
Each substance has its own effect on the body but most of them have similar impacts on an individual’s ability to absorb all nutrients the body to recover.
People dealing with substance abuse are more likely to experience one of the following symptoms:
- Poor eating choices. People struggling with substance abuse are more likely to indulge in unhealthy meals like sweets or fast food.
- Loss of appetite. Many substances suppress the appetite or cause the person to forget to eat.
- Organ damage. Most drugs can also directly damage the organs responsible for nutrient processing and breakdown.
- Poor diet. Lack of proper diet causes low blood sugar.
- Gastrointestinal disorders. Alcohol and other drugs cause chronic diseases to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which prevents it from taking up nutrients in the food.
People struggling with alcohol abuse often find it difficult to maintain a healthy diet.
Even those who used to practice good eating habits struggle as they become more consumed with the need to drink alcohol.
Even if you eat healthily, your body cannot absorb the nutrients due to alcohol.
The Role of Nutrition During Recovery
Many evidence-based treatment programs emphasize the importance of nutrition in helping patients recover.
Designing a balanced meal plan will significantly improve the treatment for the patient.
Consider the following steps.
- Meet with a physician. Patients should meet with their physicians for a review of their medical records, as well as a discussion of health issues linked to their substance abuse. The discussion should include a talk about weight and eating habits, which touches on:
- Nutrient deficiencies arising from poor eating habits or organ damage.
- Weight loss due to appetite suppression.
- Pre-existing eating disorders.
- Weight gained after abusing sedatives or depressants
- Consulting with a nutritionist. A nutritionist takes notes from the physician and analyzes them to determine the patient’s nutritional needs. They also consider the patient’s stress levels to identify the minerals needed by the patient to recovery.
- Develop a nutritional plan. The nutritional plan involves planning out meals and determining schedules that complement the other activities in the patient’s treatment plan. This also includes taking account of any issues the patient had with food, especially if they suffered from an eating disorder. Depending on the patients’ needs, their meal plan could leave room for treats or snacks (which may be limited to prevent the patient from binge eating).
- Practice the plan. The best nutrition plans help the patient to learn and hone good habits, such as :
- Eating foods that are low in sodium and fat;
- Eating only at planned items;
- Avoiding sugar and caffeine, and
- Eating enough whole grains.
Proving patients with opportunities to practice good eating habits is important, especially since food addiction can replace substance abuse.
By teaching them more about nutrition and supporting their healthy habits, loved ones, and treatment programs help patients use food as a healthy tool to get back on their feet.
Good nutrition is the first step to recovery.
Apart from reducing the intake of drugs and alcohol, practicing a balanced diet can help you or your loved one recover from their long struggle with substance abuse.