Addiction can exercise a seriously adverse impact upon an individual from a mental, emotional, and physical standpoint. One major detrimental physical influence said behavior could have is on the body’s nutrition.
Therefore, consuming an adequate and balanced diet often plays a discernible role in how quickly and expediently a recovering dependent will recapture improved or even optimal health.
Substance Abuse’s Impact On Nutrition
In many instances, chemical dependents ingested prodigious quantities of a given drug. This usage often came at the expense of proper nutrition. Some substances quell one’s appetite. Others cause notable damage to one’s digestive tract. Said circumstances could interfere with the body’s ability to process nutrients appropriately.
Five Important Issues For Addicts To Remember
Practicing solid dietary practices during addiction recovery is important. However, drug dependency could impact the body and mind in ways that might appreciably influence what and how the healing subject consumes food and beverages in the future. Therefore, five key concerns a recovering soul should consider include:
Nutrient Replacement Is Paramount
Many former drug users ingested large quantities of illicit substances over prolonged periods. Over time, said habits likely resulted in limited food intake. Such events depleted their caloric intake, zapped their bodies of nutrients, and might also have led to measurable weight loss.
Ergo, nutrient replenishment is vital to recouping these lost but serious health-boosting features. However, this process should be monitored by a healthcare provider or dietary professional. Should the individual in question gain excessive weight too quickly, other health problems might arise.
Food Is Often Employed To Quell Mental Cravings
One of the most challenging aspects of addiction recovery is overcoming associated mental cravings. Long after the body withdraws the offending substance, the mind will experience yearnings, which might often be quite intense.
Convalescing persons might attempt to satisfy these bothersome hankerings with food. Further compounding the problem is that said desires usually precipitate the increased consumption of sugary, fatty, and salt-laden junk foods.
In recognition of these concerns, those in recovery are encouraged to satisfy such urges with healthier snack foods like produce and whole grain items.
Addiction Typically Disrupts Sleep Patterns
Former dependents often experience notable difficulties reestablishing plentiful sleep patterns. That said, some might wonder how sleep and nutrition are related.
In actuality, certain foods contain sleep-inducing chemicals. One of the more recognizable slumber-precipitating substances in known as tryptophan. This material is abundantly concentrated in edibles, such as turkey, bananas, sunflower seeds, and milk. As an added bonus, tryptophan is also noted for its ability to suppress mental longings.
Adverse Brain Impacts
Continued drug use could have certain injurious influences over brain health. First, many addictive substances interfere with the chief nervous system component’s chemical balances.
Said occurrences could result in untoward events, like mood swings and possibly more serious mental disorders, including social phobias, anxiety, and full-blown depression.
Furthermore, numerous substances could actually slow brain development. This is especially concerning is youths and young adult addicts. Fortunately, this potentially life-limiting problem might be reversed through the ingestion of Omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients enjoy a stellar reputation as brain-stimulating chemicals.
Moreover, foods rife with said dietary-boosters are called brain foods. Specific examples include:
- Fatty fishes
- Walnuts
- Chia seeds
- Flax products
Measurable levels of Omega-3 fatty acids are additionally found in soy-based products like edamame.
Gut Flora
In addition to nutrient absorption issues, a damaged gastrointestinal tract may precipitate gut flora imbalances. The gut flora is the bacterial presence in one’s digestive system. A healthy flora possesses a appreciable percentage of good bacteria to counter the potentially harmful microbes.
However, addictive substances often eliminate good bacteria, leaving the gut and entire body at greater risk of infections and other major illnesses. Certain foods like yogurt and probiotic supplements contain sufficient quantities of the healthy bacteria needed to reestablish solid gut flora.
Other Nutrition-Supplementing Activities
While consuming a diet rife with nutrient-rich foods is crucial to the recovery process, healing souls are urged to augment optimal dietary practices with additional beneficial actions such as:
- Obtaining enough exercise
- Limiting stress exposure
- Identifying and partaking in productive and enjoyable hobbies
- Getting adequate rest
- Remaining appropriately hydrated
Additionally, former addicts are encouraged to undergo a thorough medical evaluation to pinpoint and remediate any potential underlying health concerns.
Contacting Us
Those hoping to end their addictions and recapture health and happiness are urged to consult with us. Our southwestern Florida rehab establishment is proud to claim an impressive track record helping dependents from across the United States enter the category of former addicts.
Our highly trained, learned, and compassionate team greatly anticipates being able to do the same for many more. Call us at 844-639-8371.