You may know that nutrition is crucial to a successful recovery, even years after you leave rehab. Maintaining a good exercise and nutrition schedule is vital to giving you the proper energy and motivation to continue your sobriety for the long term. The difference in eating habits between addiction and recovery is significant, and you cannot risk going back to your old eating habits. Eating healthy can seem easy initially, but you might run out of meals to cook and find yourself eating the same food all the time. You could also find yourself unable to keep an eating schedule as you jump back into work or school. Learning how to plan, try different recipes, and find a schedule that works for you can help you stay motivated in your diet and recovery.
Individuals struggling with active addiction typically have a poor diet. Addiction causes you to seek out drugs and alcohol as your main priority, meaning nutrition and diet to take a backseat. When your mind is continuously thinking about substances, you probably do not think about what keeps your body healthy. Over time, your body not only suffers the physical consequences of long-term drug and alcohol use, but poor nutrition can lead to health problems as well. Even if you were eating somewhat healthy during your addiction, your body most likely could not properly absorb the nutrients it needed.
It is crucial to eat a healthy diet when you are in recovery; it allows your body to heal properly and gives it the energy it needs to continue on your healing journey. There is often a meal plan or a fully stocked kitchen in most treatment facilities that includes healthy foods for proper diet and nutrition. It is up to you to continue this way of eating after you leave rehab, as it will help you maintain your sobriety for years to come.
When you start the path to recovery, your body may be lacking the crucial vitamins and minerals it needs to survive and heal. A lack of these nutrients can also lead to various mental disorders, making your recovery harder than it needs to be. You should be aware of the common nutrients deficiencies that individuals have when entering recovery. Some common deficiencies found in those that have struggled with drug or alcohol addiction include:
It is not uncommon for those that struggled with addiction to have a vitamin D deficiency. A lack of vitamin D can lead to depression, suicidal ideation, psychotic symptoms, schizophrenia, and cause you to be more likely to excessively use alcohol.
A deficiency of Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) is common in those that struggled with stimulant drugs. An ALCAR deficiency can lead to low blood sugar, abdominal pain, weakness in the heart muscles, and brain abnormalities.
When the body is undergoing active addiction, it cannot absorb calcium properly, causing a calcium deficiency. Lack of calcium can lead to weak bones and nails, depression, memory loss, irritation, and muscle pain.
Although many people think you need to focus on therapy, medication, and other treatment methods for addiction to recover, you should also learn more about diet and nutrition. Participating in nutrition therapy or nutrition education programs can help you, and your body heals from the damage caused by addiction. Through educating yourself, you can learn to create a nutrition plan that works for you, your schedule, and your recovery. Some things to consider in your nutrition plan may be:
When creating your nutritional plan, remember to include real foods that will give you the proper nutrients needed to remain healthy and boost your recovery. Making a list of healthy foods is the best way to ensure your nutritional deficiencies are being taken care of.
It is understandable to be caught in a chaotic schedule when you return to work and school, but try to stick to consistent meal times. This way, you ensure that you are eating enough throughout the day and getting the proper nutrients needed to help your body heal and maintain your recovery.
Water can do wonders for the body. When you have your meals, consider switching to water instead of sodas or other sugary drinks.
You should make sure you are replenishing your body with the nutrients it needs to grow stronger. ALCAR, calcium, omega 3, and magnesium should be included to promote good health and proper healing.
Recovery is often thought to be only therapy, medications, and other treatments that help heal from addiction. However, veterans of rehab programs know that nutrition plays a crucial role in one’s sobriety. Even so, it can be difficult to continue eating consistently healthy once you leave rehab. Getting caught up with work, school, and family responsibilities can leave you running through the drive-thru to save time and get a quick meal. However, this is more detrimental to your recovery than you may realize. If your body suffers from nutritional deficiencies, it could make it more difficult to maintain recovery and manage cravings over time. Creating a nutritional plan can help you make sure you are eating healthy foods and consuming the proper nutrients that your body needs to stay healthy. If you need help creating your nutritional plan, contact the Northstar Transitions team at (303) 558-6400. We can help you maintain your recovery for the long haul.
