For people struggling with addiction, the health of the body suffers in significant ways. People abusing drugs and alcohol cannot focus on healthy eating – poor nutrition is almost a given for anyone with a substance use disorder (SUD). In addition, the toxins of alcohol and drugs deplete necessary nutrients, creating an even more significant deficit. Any healing process requires healthy nutrition, and healing from the effects of addiction is no different.
Nutrition therapy for women at Painted Desert Recovery is a vital piece of the healing journey. How does nutrition affect recovery? Find out by calling Painted Desert at 844.540.0357 or using our easy online form to reach out. We can answer your questions about the connections between a healthy diet and recovery and the benefits of nutrition therapy.
Physical Effects of Addiction
The body systems are affected by substance use, and the longer you abuse alcohol or drugs, the greater their impact. Different controlled substances will lead to specific physical consequences, but in general, if you have a SUD, the following risks to the body are possible:
- Cardiovascular events
- Stroke
- Kidney failure
- Liver damage
- Gastrointestinal illness
- Certain cancers
Using a healthy approach to nutrition during addiction treatment is an effective way to support recovery and heal the body. A healthy body is one of the supportive pillars to building your life in recovery.
What Is Nutrition Therapy?
A nutritional approach to healing and recovery is part of focusing on a healthy lifestyle. This program includes nutrition, exercise, and mindful attention to health.
An individual treatment plan in addiction recovery that includes nutrition counseling and education significantly improves recovery outcomes. Nutrition therapy focuses on goals such as:
- Mood stability
- Stress reduction
- Replacing nutrients depleted by substance abuse
- Reduction of cravings
- Management of co-occurring disorders
- Mental health
- Healthy habits
- Self-care
Mind and body are inextricably linked, and when both are healthy, recovery can happen. At the same time, your recovery will strengthen the health of your mind and body. A nutrition therapy program helps create this synergistic feedback loop between nutrition and recovery.
Benefits of Nutrition Therapy
A nutrition therapy program benefits your body and mind and supports your recovery. As you consider addiction treatment programs for addiction, prioritize all aspects of your well-being, including nutrition and healthy habits.
Below are five benefits of nutrition therapy:
- Rebalancing nutritional deficiencies caused by your SUD – Drugs and alcohol leech nutrients, including vitamins and minerals, from your body, leading to deficiencies that impact your overall health. Nutritional deficits can have various effects, from impacting hunger, so you do not eat enough to creating unhealthy cravings for foods that do not support your health. In nutrition therapy, you will have a food plan designed to replace missing nutrients to help you recover.
- Reduction of cravings – Poor nutrition results in increased drug or alcohol cravings. Nutrition therapy won’t eliminate your cravings, but replacing missing nutrients and supporting a balance of vitamins and minerals in your body helps reduce cravings.
- Decreased risk of relapse – The long-range plan of any addiction recovery program is to live a healthy life and avoid relapse. Your well-being affects your ability to focus on the healing processes – therapy, peer support, self-care, etc. Not only can hunger disguise itself as a craving for drugs or alcohol, but malnutrition’s effects on blood sugar, brain fog, pain tolerance, and general well-being can lead to self-medication with a controlled substance. Focusing on healthy nourishment reduces your tendency to rely on drugs or alcohol to feel better, and you will be less likely to relapse.
- Improved mental health – Deficiencies in micro- and macro-nutrients can directly affect mental health, leading to depression, anxiety, and mental and physical exhaustion, which become co-occurring disorders and can lead to substance abuse or relapse. Nutrition therapy teaches you how to eat for improved mental health and recovery success.
- Lasting health – Your long-term wellness is the end goal of addiction recovery. By addressing something as foundational as nutrition, you address your mental health, your physical health, and your addiction.
Nutrition therapy for women at Painted Desert Recovery will help you find a healthy balance of body and mind to support your ongoing recovery.
Nutrition Therapy Program Benefits Your Recovery at Painted Desert
Let Painted Desert Recovery support your choice to be in recovery and regain your health. Our evidence-based treatments, experiential therapies, and nutrition program will work in concert to improve your well-being and recovery outcomes.
Call us at 844.540.0357 or use our online form today to learn more. Your wellness is our mission.