Eating Healthy While Recovering From Addiction

Of all the negative health effects caused by drug addiction, one that is often overlooked is malnutrition. Many types of illegal drugs suppress the appetite and can cause a person to not feed themselves properly. This leads to vitamin and nutrient deficiencies and unhealthy weight loss. A number of the negative health effects attributed to drug use itself are actually caused by the addict simply not taking care of themselves nutritionally. Even when an addict is recovering from addiction, for example, they will experience withdrawal. During this process the addict can experience vomiting, nausea and dehydration. ItÕs easy to observe that an addict may not have the willingness or ability to eat when they constantly find themselves lying on their sides and throwing up. Proper nutrition and hydration, then, can be some of the most important parts of successfully recovering from addiction. Here are some of the key areas to focus on.

Drink Lots of Water

In order to handle the dehydration that accompanies drug or alcohol withdrawal, water is your first and best choice. A recovering addict should simply drink more water all day. If signs of more serious dehydration present themselves, however, be aware that itÕs a medical emergency and call 911. While re-hydrating, itÕs important to avoid coffee, tea and soda, as these drinks contain caffeine and can cause further dehydration. Sports drinks such as Gatorade can be helpful, though, as they also contain some simple carbohydrates and electrolytes.

Eat Nutrient-Dense Foods

One of the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol is that they can negatively affect the bodyÕs ability to absorb nutrients from the food you eat. As the body recovers from addiction, it is therefore very important to eat nutrient-dense foods. Leafy greens are one good choice. Spinach, broccoli and kale all contain important nutrients like calcium and folate, and when you chew them they even release compounds called isothiocyanates that lower your risk of developing cancer. Beans and seeds are both nutrient-dense foods as well, and they have a large number of cancer-fighting and anti-inflammatory properties. If you want something a bit sweeter, many types of berries have a lot of nutrients in addition to health-improving antioxidants. Whichever ones you choose, these nutrient-dense foods can help repair the damage done to your body by drugs and alcohol, and theyÕre a lot better tasting, too.

Eat More Protein

Due to the general neglect of proper eating during drug addiction, protein is another of the bodyÕs necessities that can be out of balance while an addict is in recovery. Protein has an important part in almost all cellular functions, so getting it back in balance is vital to repairing the damage of drugs and alcohol. A good place to start is with lean meats such as poultry and seafood. These meats have a lot of protein without the potential high fat of red meats. An important point, though, is to avoid recipes with alcohol as an ingredient. A recovering addict shouldnÕt have any excuse to have alcohol around the house or in their life.

Consider a Multi-Vitamin

Some of the key nutrients depleted by drug addiction are B vitamins. While many vitamins can be absorbed through proper nutrition, many doctors recommend that a recovering addict take a multi-vitamin. Taking these vitamins can help the body replace the vital substances it is missing while the addict works to fully recover with proper eating habits. There are many different multi-vitamins on the market, and a recovering addict should consult with an addiction specialist on which ones to take. Recovery from addiction is a long process, but healthy eating can make the journey a lot easier. Start using these steps to repair malnutrition today. References: ProteinÕs Role in the Body: http://biology.about.com/b/2008/08/23/the-role-of-proteins-in-the-body.htm B Vitamins: http://www.livestrong.com/article/430209-vitamins-and-nutrition-for-brain-recovery-after-drugs/