Drug and alcohol addiction is harsh on the body. Not only are you taking in harsh chemicals that can impact your organ function, but you may not be eating a healthy diet at the same time. Your body, which needs those nutrients, may find it impossible to recover without them. That is why diet and recovery are often linked. At Crestview Recovery, we can offer you a treatment plan that addresses all of these needs.
How Diet and Recovery Relate to Each Other
Imagine the turmoil created in your body from drug and alcohol consumption. Those toxins are making it hard for your kidneys and liver to work. That directly impacts the health of all of the cells of your body. At the same time, you are not eating a diet that is full of nutrients. Many times, those who have an addiction are even likely to eat empty calories or a very limited diet. This means your body’s immune system cannot work to meet the needs of your cells or keep your immune system functioning. The damage cannot heal.
That is why diet and recovery are so important to get right. The good news is the body is very resilient when it does get the help it needs. In many ways, nutritionally rich diets can actually help you to recover sooner.
What Role Does Nutrition Need to Play?
During your recovery, you will have access to a strong nutritious diet. This will allow you to have access to all the nutrients your body needs to heal. Most importantly, it is important to eat a diet that is balanced with all food groups. This is not the time to cut out carbs or go on a fad diet. Instead, work to eat whole natural foods.
Improving your intake of complex carbohydrates, for example, can help to balance serotonin levels. That can help with relaxing the brain, so you feel fewer cravings and less frustration. Choose foods like beans and root vegetables like carrots and potatoes. Your body also needs a significant amount of B-complex vitamins. These are often deficient in those who have an addiction. This includes vitamins such as folic acid, thiamine, and B12. You can get these through improving your vegetable and fruit intake or take a supplement for them. Other important nutrients often lacking include magnesium, calcium, and zinc.
At the same time, it is important to get rid of high sugar foods as well as empty nutrient foods. You’ll also need to improve hydration during your recovery at a residential treatment center to improve your health.
Creating a Treatment Plan for You
Because diet and recovery often are very much linked, it will be one of the services you receive when you get treatment at Crestview Recovery. Some people are malnourished when they arrive for treatment. Even if you think you look healthy, you may not be getting enough vitamins and minerals to balance your body’s needs. Our team will create a balanced diet to help you. You’ll find this will include nutrient-rich foods.
We encourage you to meet with our team to start on the path towards healing. We offer a range of therapy services to meet just about any need you have. Reach out to us to learn more about our therapies, including:
- Holistic drug therapy
- Mindfulness meditation therapy
- Individual therapy programs
- Group therapy programs
Create a Customized Plan for Your Recovery at Crestview Recovery
Diet and recovery often go hand-in-hand. Yet, a customized treatment program designed to address your specific needs is a very important part of your long-term success. At Crestview Recovery, we can offer that to you. Nutritional support is always a key component of your care. To learn more, reach out to us at 866.262.0531.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
