When facing addiction, being nutritious may hardly be at the forefront of your mind. But some studies and articles show that nutrition may help to heal the body.
According to some experts, along with the many effects of addiction, comes malnutrition.
Jenny Smiechowski from thefix.com said, “The very act of ingesting drugs or alcohol wreaks havoc on the body. Alcohol, for example, impedes nutrient breakdown and assimilation resulting in nutritional deficiencies.”
Moreover, Smiechowski noted that “In addition to the purely physiological implications of drug and alcohol abuse, there is another factor that results in a less than stellar nutritional report card for addicts: lifestyle. A person consumed by addiction is less likely to eat healthfully. Some drugs cause you to eat too much, others too little.”
As Smiechowski made evidently, addiction can override health in multiple ways. But eating healthy could result in a stronger battle against drug addiction.
Medline Plus of the U.S. National Library of Medicine said, “When a person feels better, they are less likely to start using alcohol and drugs again. Because balanced nutrition helps improve mood and health, it is important to encourage a healthy diet in a person recovering from alcohol and other drug problems.”
However, it is important, as Medline Plus said, to prioritize sobriety over sticking to a diet.
What is suggested then, if one is to attempt a healthier diet as they recover?
Medline Plus suggested regular mealtimes, foods with lower fat, more protein, and perhaps vitamin and mineral supplements. On top of this, physical activity and rest are also important factors in maintaining a healthy lifestyle on the road to recovery.
Recovery and dieting are battles in of themselves, but together, they may allow for a stronger you.
If you or a family member are struggling with recovery, these healthy tips may help. Talk to your doctor to see what changes you or your loved one should make, or come to Steps where we can help with recovery. ')}
