It may be surprising for you to hear that diet and nutrition have a positive link. A good diet or nutritional habits can help an addict during his/her recovery stages.
Addiction is a serious issue that can influence everything from your physical health to your mental health.
What many people don’t realize, though, is that addiction often has nutritional roots.
If you are struggling with an addiction of any kind, it’s important to be aware of some common nutritional deficiencies and how they may be related to your drug or alcohol use.
What you will learn:
With this information in hand, we can help you get started toward recovery by providing the necessary support for a healthier lifestyle in general!
Now let us dive into the topic by listing down some of the advantages of how a good nutritional routine can help an addict from relapse or during their rehabilitation.
Poor Nutrition Is Often A Symptom Of Addiction
When you’re addicted to drugs or alcohol, your brain is constantly craving your next fix. This can lead to poor nutrition—or even malnutrition—as the drug takes priority over everything else in your life.
The unfortunate reality is that some people who struggle with addiction also suffer from eating disorders, like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.
If someone has an eating disorder and abuses drugs or alcohol, their health, and overall well-being will likely take a nosedive quickly.
In fact, there’s evidence that individuals suffering from both conditions are more likely than others to die prematurely if they don’t receive treatment for both issues concurrently.
Furthermore, some studies have suggested that certain drug users may be more affected by certain nutrient deficiencies than others—and vice versa (i.e., certain vitamins can improve staving off withdrawal symptoms).
For example: In one study conducted on rats that were given cocaine injections daily for 10 days straight (it sounds like fun!), researchers found out that giving those rats vitamin C supplements significantly reduced the amount of dopamine produced in their brains—therefore making it harder for them to feel any euphoria at all when they took cocaine again later on down the line!
Nutritional support can help you recover from addiction
That’s because a poor diet can make it harder to overcome your cravings and remain in recovery. It also affects how you feel, which is why eating well may help you avoid relapse or even treat other symptoms like sleeplessness, depression, and anxiety.
In addition to eating right, here are some other ways to get the nutrients you need:
Vitamins can play an important part in addiction recovery
Vitamins A, B6, and C can help keep you healthy. They’re all essential for normal bodily functions, and they each have their own roles to play.
Vitamin A is important for healthy skin and vision; it also boosts the immune system. Vitamin B6 helps the body use other vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C — which we’ll get to in a minute!
Vitamin B12 is essential for brain function and helps maintain red blood cells that carry oxygen through your body (this is more important than you might think—a lack of oxygen can cause high blood pressure).
It also plays an important role in protecting heart muscles from damage due to illness or injury.
Amino acids can be an important part of an addiction recovery program
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. They can be used to make neurotransmitters, hormones, enzymes, and DNA and RNA.
When you eat food, you absorb amino acids into your body through the digestive system. These are then used by the brain and other organs as a source of fuel for growth, repair, and function.
There are 20 different amino acids that we get from food (eight essential) and 12 that we make ourselves (non-essential).
This is why it’s important to eat a varied diet with plenty of protein sources; especially animal proteins such as lean red meats, poultry or fish so that all 20 amino acids are covered rather than just using supplements that may only contain one or two types of them at best!
A healthy diet can help you avoid relapse
A healthy diet is important for a variety of reasons, but it can also help you avoid relapse. Here’s why:
- A healthy diet can help you avoid cravings to use drugs again.
- A healthy diet can help you feel better and more energetic than if you weren’t eating well.
- If a person has been using alcohol or drugs for an extended period, the body may become accustomed to having those substances present to function normally. This is where the term “tolerance” comes from—the longer someone uses something like alcohol or heroin (or anything else), the less their body needs for them to feel normal and comfortable. In this case, eating a balanced diet means that it will be easier on your body when going through withdrawal because there’s no need for any particular substance; instead, just eat well!
Takeaway:
Proper Nutrition Is A Big Part Of Breaking An Addiction And Staying Drug-Free.
There is a lot of information out there about nutrition and healthy eating.
- Food is fuel for our bodies, so it’s important to eat the right types of food to get proper nourishment.
- If your body isn’t getting what it needs, this can lead to symptoms like fatigue or weakness.
- This is especially true for people with addictions who have developed poor eating habits because of their drug or alcohol use. Often these individuals will find themselves craving junk foods because that’s all they’ve been consuming! (It’s important not to give in to cravings!)
Conclusion
It’s no secret that addiction is a complex issue. A holistic approach is needed to tackle addiction and its root causes.
Nutritional support can play an important role in promoting long-term sobriety and recovery, helping addicts avoid relapse while they work toward their goals of becoming sober and healthy.
The bottom line: If you or someone you love is struggling with drug addiction, consider speaking with a nutritionist about how nutritional support can help during your journey to recovery. It may be just what you need!
Helpful Resources
1. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): NIDA is a government-funded research organization that provides information and resources on addiction and substance abuse. Their website offers resources specifically tailored to the pandemic, including information on telehealth and online support groups.
2. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): SAMHSA is a government agency that provides information and resources on addiction and mental health. Their website offers resources specifically tailored to the pandemic, including a national helpline for individuals who are struggling with addiction or mental health issues.
3. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): AA is a support group for individuals struggling with alcohol addiction. AA has moved many of its meetings online, providing a safe and accessible way for individuals to connect with others who understand their struggles.
4. Narcotics Anonymous (NA): NA is a support group for individuals struggling with drug addiction. Like AA, NA has moved many of its meetings online, providing a safe and accessible way for individuals to connect with others who understand their struggles.
5. Mental health professionals: Mental health professionals such as therapists and counselors can provide individualized support and guidance for individuals struggling with addiction during the pandemic. Many mental health professionals offer teletherapy, a form of therapy conducted over the phone or through video conferencing.
Jul142023
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Cacey Taylor
You would not think healthy eating would be associated with drug addiction. Definitely makes sense. Thank you for making me and others aware of this important issue.