Proper nutrition is commonly overlooked while seeking help for a drug misuse problem. Detoxification, counseling, and peer support are often the primary focuses of these programs. Despite the importance of all of these aspects in healing, true health cannot be reached without a nutritious diet.

Depleting our bodies of important nutrients is a side effect of substance misuse. Mallard Lake’s team of professionals recommends nutritional therapy for successful addiction treatment.

In What Ways Might Nutritional Therapy Be Beneficial to Your Health?

The goal of nutritional treatment is to re-establish a healthy balance of biochemicals in the brain and body by customizing a patient’s diet. At Mallard, the short-term goal of nutritional treatment is to help addicts recover their health and adapt to the physical repercussions of recovery. In the long run, the purpose of nutritional treatment is to help addicts better understand their health and empower them to take care of themselves, paving the way for long-term sobriety.

Our Mallard Lake staff has witnessed the benefits of nutritional treatment as a tool for addiction rehabilitation. The following are some ways different drugs interact with the addict’s nutrition.

• Alcohol and Nutrition

It is common for alcoholics to have little regard for their eating habits. Alcoholism increases a person’s urge to forsake appropriate eating habits, even if they were previously in good health. The difficulty is compounded by the fact that even if someone eats healthfully and receives all of their needs, alcohol blocks the absorption of those nutrients.

Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol damages, the pancreas and liver, two key digestive organs. To digest fat, protein, and glucose, the pancreas creates enzymes. The pancreas also produces hormones that assist regulate blood sugar. The liver processes toxins, and if it malfunctions due to excessive drinking, it may result in extra damage to the digestive system, which is already damaged.

• Opioids and Nutrition

Eating disorders are more vulnerable to developing in those who regularly take opiates. Excessive dopamine production suppresses appetite, and this, along with the conflicting demands of food and drug usage, leads to a wide range of unhealthy eating habits like:

• Not consuming sufficient fruits and veggies. 
• Eating less than two times a day. 
• Trying to delay mealtime to extend opioid euphoria
• Avoiding mealtime

Constipation brought on by opioid use might worsen with time. It’s possible that eating may become uncomfortable as the sickness progresses. After opiates have seized over your diet, quitting misusing them is the only option and boosts your fiber consumption.

• Nutritional and Marijuana 

The appetite-stimulating effects of Marijuana have been well documented. People with chronic conditions like cancer may benefit from this, but others who don’t are at risk since it stimulates them to consume often, in huge amounts, and with little attention to nutrition. Consuming high-fat, high-sugar, or salty foods is more common among those who use Marijuana.

Heart disease and death are more likely to occur if you continue to eat this diet. Another possibility is that it contributes to the onset of diabetes.

Improve Your Diet to Live a Longer, Healthier Life

Mallard Lake’s Culinary Services prepares specifically customized meals to meet your dietary needs and support your sobriety. To minimize inflammatory issues, cleanse the body, and control cravings, the meals are designed to limit the number of carbs, sugar, and salt consumed. If you have any concerns about our dietary therapy program or other services, please don’t hesitate to contact us.