The thought of addiction recovery usually conjures images of therapy sessions and support meetings. Few people associate fresh, colorful, delicious foods with detox therapies. However, nutrition plays a vital role in physical and mental health. The nutrition therapy program for detox at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida can help our clients regain their physical and mental health and avoid relapse. Contact us today at [Direct to learn more about the importance of nutrition for detox.
The Role of Nutrition for Detox and Recovery
Eating a balanced meal filled with fresh food is not a priority for most people living with a substance use disorder. Even if a healthy diet was a top concern, opportunities to purchase and prepare food are limited. By the time they enter a treatment facility, most clients are suffering the effects of poor nutrition along with the damages caused by their substance use disorder.
A lack of nutrients creates an imbalance in every part of the body, from brain function to the immune system to digestion. As the body becomes less able to regulate on its own, dependence on substances becomes stronger. Nutritional therapy helps to restore health and build a stronger foundation for recovery in the following three ways.
1. Normalizes Neurotransmitters
No matter which substance or substances a person is addicted to, chronic use depletes their supply of neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are the body’s messengers, sending communications between the brain and the rest of the body. For example, the neurotransmitter serotonin helps regulate sleep. Substance use interrupts and depletes the neurotransmitter supply, contributing to the harmful behaviors often related to addiction, such as:
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Depression
- Sleep problems
- Anxiety
Fresh fruits and vegetables are essential for restoring neurotransmitters and proper brain function. By normalizing a person’s neurotransmitter levels, they are better able to sleep, control pain and keep moods balanced during detox without the aid of medication.
2. Minimizes Cravings for Drugs or Alcohol
People with substance use disorders commonly forego good nutrition. Any craving, even their body telling them they need for or water, is translated as a craving for their substance of choice. A lack of regular meals leads to unhealthy fluctuations in blood sugar which affect both mental and physical health. These fluctuations, in turn, increase a person’s vulnerability to substance use.
During withdrawal, cravings can become almost unbearable, both physically and mentally. Certain supervised detox therapies, such as a nutrition therapy program, play a vital role in keeping clients safe and comfortable while minimizing cravings.
Balancing the blood sugar through proper nutrition can dramatically decrease cravings and reduce many of the other uncomfortable symptoms associated with detoxing.
3. Reverses Malnutrition
Drugs and alcohol deprive the body of essential nutrients. Any individual with a long-term substance use disorder is at risk for malnutrition. Many people arrive at treatment centers with issues such as:
- Poor physical health
- Low weight
- Undernourishment or malnourishment
- Inanition
- Diet-related symptoms, such as low energy levels and headaches
A nutrition therapy program addresses each individual’s dietary deficits to reverse the effects of malnutrition as quickly as possible. Many of the symptoms of poor nutrition are the same as withdrawal symptoms. Addressing dietary issues during detox may eliminate some of the discomfort typically associated with detox. It also allows the client to focus on recovery treatment.
Begin Recovery at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida
The nutritional program at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida helps teach our clients how to take care of themselves at a cellular level with healthy food that addresses their specific dietary needs. Call Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida at 866.294.5306 if you or someone you love needs the kind of support our specialized detox programs offer.
