Who would have thought that eating healthy could go a long way in helping you stay sober? But it’s true. Putting the right foods into your body provides it with the vitamins and minerals it needs to stay strong and healthy. Nutrients don’t just feed the body. They also provide fuel for the brain so that it can think clearly and rationally and fight off temptation. If you don’t eat the right foods and appreciate the importance of nutrition in addiction recovery, you could actually be hurting your recovery.
Substance Abuse And Poor Nutrition
Drug abuse and poor eating habits are kinds of a double blow. Why? First, abusing drugs or alcohol isn’t healthy for the body. These substances wreak havoc on the body by breaking down nutrients, suppressing the appetite and treating gastrointestinal problems. Second, the lifestyle that is a byproduct of drug or alcohol abuse isn’t exactly healthy. A person consumed by using these substances is rarely concerned about their health. They may eat too much or too little, and when they do eat, it’s hardly the picture of health.
How Nutrition Boosts Recovery
There are many ways nutrition helps recovery.
- Strengthens the immune system
- Provides the body with energy
- Helps build and repair organ tissue
- Enhances mood by increasing neurotransmitters
- May reduce the risk of relapse
- Keeps the body satisfied; hunger can be confused with cravings
Working With A Nutrition Counselor
Many addicts either don’t know how to eat healthily or they’ve forgotten how. That’s why it’s important to work with a nutritionist who can explain the importance of nutrition and how to eat healthily. At The River Source, patients receive nutritional counseling in treatment. Our clinicians provide nutritional therapies like B-12 shots to fight anemia and IV infusions to prevent nutritional deficiencies. They also educate patients on the importance of proper nutrition and how it may help prevent the risk of relapse.
Eating healthy is not a mandatory requirement for sobriety, but it can greatly increase your chances for long-term recovery and make you feel better about yourself physically, mentally and spiritually.
Nutrition Counseling In A Holistic Treatment Program
The River Source is a holistic treatment center that works with substance abuse patients. Nutritional counseling is a component of our holistic program, and we have clinicians on staff who work directly with our patients to improve their diets and restore their health.
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