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How Can Diet Impact Your Addiction Recovery Process?

woman laughs with salad while considering the connection between diet and addiction recovery

Getting back to your best health after breaking free of drug or alcohol addiction is one of the best decisions you can make. Nutrition and what makes up your diet is a big part of achieving this better version of yourself. In general, addiction breeds an unhealthy diet. Fast food and foods high in salt and fat are the norm among those battling a substance use disorder. In some cases, drug or alcohol use can cause a loss of appetite as well. All of these scenarios are unhealthy. Many addiction treatment facilities now offer nutrition counseling as part of their therapeutic offerings, and this type of program can serve as a springboard to healthy living in recovery.

To see how diet and addiction recovery are intertwined, consider a nutrition counseling program as part of your addiction treatment and recovery. Reach out to NuLife Behavioral Health today at 888.568.2057 or connect with us online to learn more.

How Diet Can Impact Addiction Recovery

The reality is that a poor diet often equals poor health. For those battling addiction, this direct connection is even more important because poor health puts you at a greater risk of relapse. When battling a substance use disorder, eating well is usually the last thing someone cares about. Getting back on track and relearning healthy eating habits takes work, which is why nutrition counseling is so critical as part of addiction treatment.

A substance use disorder can cause some people to lose their appetite completely. In this case, an appetite can be hard to manage following detox. Eating foods just to fill the void is also common and these unhealthy choices can put you at risk for things like diabetes or heart issues. Each person’s dietary plan as part of the treatment and recovery will be unique to their needs.

Nutrition counseling works to address triggers and cravings that can lead to relapse. Counseling can include goal setting, a personalized meal plan, and a strong support system to help you stay on a healthy eating track.

How Nutrition Counseling Programs Work

Addiction treatment facilities offer nutrition counseling programs to help with building healthier lifestyles to foster recovery. Addiction brings with it bad habits, and that includes bad nutrition habits. A better diet can actually make you feel better as well as reduce the risk of relapse. Putting a focus on understanding how a proper diet can help you in your treatment and recovery is important. The goal of addiction treatment is to arm you with all the tools you need to manage your new sobriety and be the healthiest version of yourself.

Some direct results of a good diet include:

  • Focus – Poor nutrition leads to attention issues, so good nutrition helps you stay focused.
  • Energy – A good diet can increase energy levels, allowing you to be upbeat and engaged in your recovery.
  • Sleep – A healthy diet can right irregular sleep patterns that develop as a result of addiction.
  • Faster treatment – Feeling better from eating well will potentially mean less time needed in a treatment program or facility.
  • Digestive health – Substances wreak havoc on your digestion, and a healthy diet can help balance those issues.
  • Heart health – Eating poorly and not eating at all have a direct negative impact on the heart, so a better diet improves your heart health.

Addiction recovery touches on your physical, social, and emotional well-being, and nutrition is an integral part of that. Eating well is a lifestyle choice and something you will practice in your daily life, not just while in treatment for your addiction. Better nutrition equals a better state of physical and mental health as well.

Find Out More About How Diet Impacts Recovery at NuLife Behavioral Health

Nutrition education and counseling are an integral part of any addiction treatment program and getting you back on track to a healthier version of yourself. To learn more about the connection between diet and addiction recovery, reach out to our team today at 888.568.2057 or reach out online. We’re ready to help you make good nutrition a priority in your life.