Importance of Nutrition in Addiction Recovery

Your body is more vulnerable to illness and mental health problems when you’re fighting an addiction. The stress of quitting drugs or alcohol can take a toll on your immune system—it takes time to recover after stopping something addictive. So let’s look at how nutrition can help support your recovery from addiction and improve your chances for long-term sobriety.

Addiction is a serious problem that can have tragic consequences. Fortunately, it’s also a highly treatable issue with excellent recovery rates when appropriate treatment is provided. A healthy diet can be a vital part of any recovery program as you move toward long-term sobriety. It reduces cravings for unhealthy replacement behaviors, such as binging on sugar or caffeine, and it alleviates the stress of quitting addictive substances. Nutritious meals are a fundamental part of the services at Restored Path Detox which serves the DFW area of Texas.

Nutrition is the foundation of good health.

When working on your recovery, it’s essential to eat right. A healthy diet includes fruits, vegetables, and other natural foods that are low in calories but high in nutrients. You should be consuming items from all the food groups:
• Grains
• Dairy products such as milk or yogurt
• Proteins such as meat and beans
• Fats such as oil or butter
• Fruits and vegetables (including fruit juice)
A balanced diet gives you the energy you need for daily activities plus occasions where extra energy may be needed.

Your body needs nutrients to cope with stress.

Going through alcohol or drug detox can be a very stressful time. Adequate nutrients help your body adjust to the increase of stress and counteract some of the issues related to it. Stress can cause a lot of physical and mental health problems, including:

●    Chest pain
●    Dry mouth
●    Fatigue
●    Frequent colds and infections
●    Headaches
●    Insomnia
●    Low energy
●    Muscle tension or spasms in the neck, shoulders, back, and joints (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome)
●    Rapid heartbeat
●    Teeth grinding
●    Upset stomach

Unchecked stress can lead to additional health issues, too. For example, if you suspect your blood pressure is routinely high from stress, see a doctor to avoid developing complications such as hypertension.

Nutritional deficiencies can interfere with recovery.

Not only can dietary deficiencies cause a variety of health problems, but they can also interfere with recovery. If you’re struggling with addiction, your body is more susceptible to getting sick, and you can create or worsen mental health issues. This happens because of the stress your body experiences while you’re trying to quit drugs or alcohol. It takes time for your immune system to recover after stopping an addictive substance; in some cases, it never fully recovers (especially if you’ve been using for a long time). As a result of these issues, many people who are trying to overcome an addiction end up relapsing because they aren’t getting enough nutrients from their diet.

A nutritious diet reduces cravings, which are a significant obstacle to long-term sobriety.

Research has shown that people who eat well have less of an impulse to use drugs or alcohol than those who don’t. Cravings are a sign that your body needs something—a nutrient or mineral you’re not getting enough of in your daily food intake. If you’re craving sugar, it could be because you need more glucose in your system; if you crave carbs (bread and pasta), it may mean that iron deficiency is making itself known through these cravings; if salty foods are calling out to you every time they come within reach, it could mean that sodium levels need boosting for the body to function correctly.

In addition to being helpful during recovery, nutritious meals are an integral part of maintaining wellness.
Eating healthy can help you overcome your addiction and stay sober for the long haul. Ensuring proper nutrition in recovery can help you feel better, live longer, and have more energy. Also, it’s a great way to be more productive and stay focused on your sober goals.

Eating well can help you stay sober for the long haul.

Nutrition in recovery is an important part of long-term sobriety goals. If you’re not eating well, your body can become depleted of nutrients or have trouble absorbing them. Nutritional deficiencies can cause cravings for unhealthy foods that may trigger a relapse. It can happen by negatively impacting your brain function and increasing your risk for mental health disorders. In addition to helping with cravings and preventing relapse, eating healthy foods helps keep up energy levels so that day-to-day tasks aren’t as overwhelming as they might be otherwise.

Restored Path can help you get started on the road to recovery.

Our safe sanctuary for healing is available for adults of all ages, from young adults to seniors. Not only do we help you safely move through the withdrawal process, but we also help to prepare you for a longer journey to wellness that involves the next steps of your recovery plan. A call to an admissions specialist will provide the guidance and support you or a loved one needs to take the first step in ending alcohol misuse.

Restored Path Detox is DFW’s premier facility for medically supervised alcohol detox in Dallas. Conveniently located in Frisco, we provide a safe sanctuary for healing that is also a state-of-the-art detoxification facility for a wide range of substances. Our compassionate physicians and therapists want you to get well and are committed to removing any existing barriers to your care. Restored Path’s board-certified medical professionals and highly qualified RNs have extensive critical care experience and are available to monitor your detox program 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you or a loved one are struggling with drug or alcohol use, contact us today and take your first step towards recovery: 469-827-0000.