While many people focus on the major effects of a substance abuse problem on the heart, lungs, or brain, some neglect to talk about the harmful secondary effects of addiction on their nutrition.
For many people who are struggling, addiction not only comes with the threat of these alarming health problems, but they may also neglect healthy habits like regular exercise and a good diet. Although eating your vegetables may seem like an afterthought when overcoming drug addiction, our drug rehab in Chicago delves into the importance of nutrition in recovery.
Nutrition in Recovery From Substance Abuse
At Banyan Chicago, we believe in a comprehensive approach to treatment. This is because addiction can wage war on all parts of a person, including their mind, body, and soul. Because of this reality, as a part of our partial hospitalization program in Chicago, patients will participate in a nutrition education program, and here is why:
Nutrient Deficiencies
Many people struggle to get all of the right nutrients and vitamins they need, but addicts especially have issues with nutrition. When someone is so focused on getting high, they are not thinking about eating healthy. In fact, research shows that most heavy drug and alcohol users suffer from nutrient deficiencies that can lead to more serious health issues later on, like osteoporosis and alcoholic myopathy, if left untreated.1 Drug or alcohol addiction treatment should address these deficiencies and focus on providing the benefits of nutrition in addiction recovery to correct them.
Weight Issues
For many, the need to get their next high is more powerful than their desire to eat. Along with many drugs causing nausea as a side effect, the result can be drastic, unhealthy weight loss. Recovering addicts will want to regain some weight but do so in a healthy manner. Stuffing your body with fast food and desserts is not the best way to do this. Recovering addicts need healthy fats and good high-caloric food that will get them there without sacrificing necessary nutrients. This is one reason why our rehab in Chicago works to provide nutritional meals to all of our patients.
Eating Disorders
Along with weight problems, up to 35% of people with addiction have also struggled with eating disorders.2 Because those with disordered eating run the risk of being malnourished, leaving the issue unaddressed can have serious consequences. While addressing the mental implications of an eating disorder is important, comprehensive recovery nutrition and diet for these patients are also vital to their healing process. Through the effective therapies that Banyan offers, we can help those struggling with co-occurring disorders and addictions find long-lasting recovery.
Creating Healthy Habits
Not only does the body need to heal physically from addiction, but there are also many mental aspects of drug addiction as well. Before recovery, drug addiction can overtake a person’s entire life. When the addiction stops, many recovering addicts need to fill their free time with something else. Otherwise, they risk falling back into old and destructive habits. Promoting a good diet and exercise regimen can ensure that a new routine is created that has the recovering addict’s best interests in mind for the future. It can also give them a sense of agency and self-confidence because investing in one’s overall health is one of the best things a person can do for themselves.
Achieve Nutrition and Addiction Recovery With Banyan Chicago
Nutrition in recovery should not be ignored. Some treatment centers neglect to take this important aspect of health into account during the recovery process, and the result may lead to serious problems later on. This is why our Illinois drug rehab is committed to providing restorative nutrition for patients whose addiction took a physical toll.
When someone feels good physically, they will also feel good mentally, and they will be much more likely to succeed in sobriety. This is why our patients can enjoy delicious and nutritious options prepared on-site to help foster their physical and emotional recovery.
Sometimes the hardest part is taking that first step to recovery. At Banyan’s Chicago addiction treatment center, we are here to help you move forward and take every necessary step after that. Call 888-280-4763 now to learn more about our programs today.
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