Nutrition in Substance Abuse Recovery

It's clear that overcoming addiction involves more than just a change in behavior; it requires a holistic approach to healing both the body and mind. What many people don't realize is just how critical proper nutrition in substance abuse recovery is to this process. Rebuilding a healthy diet is a powerful step that can profoundly impact physical recovery and the energy needed for therapeutic work.

How does addiction impact a person's diet and nutrition?

Addiction can cause individuals to neglect their nutritional needs by prioritizing substance use over regular meals. This can lead to malnourishment, a lack of energy for daily responsibilities, and an inability to engage effectively with therapeutic recovery programs.

This is just one piece of the puzzle. We have more to share about how to rebuild a healthy diet, what foods to prioritize, and what to avoid to support a strong recovery. Continue reading for a deeper dive into this important topic.

How Can a Healthy Diet Support Recovery from Substance Addiction?

The prolonged use of addictive substances has a detrimental effect both on one’s body and mind. It is necessary to address the physical recovery aspect of overcoming addiction just as much as one’s mental and emotional recovery. Proper nutrition is a major part of this recovery.

While one’s diet may have become compromised due to the effects of addiction, rebuilding a healthy dietary routine can greatly aid in one’s recovery. Doing so can impact their ability to repair their bodies in order to have the energy to properly engage with other therapeutic programs. 

The Effects of Addiction on Nutrition

There can be a great deal of physical damage done to one’s body as a result of addiction. Between track marks on one’s arm from drug use or the development of liver disease from persistent drinking, the physical component of addiction can be very serious.

One’s lungs, digestional tract, skin, and more can all suffer as a result of one’s use of addictive substances. However, this is not the only way in which the body can be affected by addiction. It can also directly impact one’s dietary choices. 

Addiction can cause an individual to reprioritize their diet, and they may begin to choose the use of an addictive substance over regular meals. Budgeting may cause an individual to put money that was once set aside for meals towards their addictive substance instead. It is also common that an individual may even forget about meals throughout the day altogether, either skipping meals or relying on fast food. 

This can leave the body malnourished, less prepared to cope with the other effects of addiction, or not have the energy to effectively tend to daily responsibilities. Addiction’s ability to impact one’s nutritional intake can also leave them without the energy to engage in therapeutic techniques that could effectively heal the damage done to their bodies.

Reprioritizing Nutrition and Planning a Diet

In recovery, taking time to plan one’s diet and nutritional intake is important. While nutrition is an easy aspect of recovery to overlook—especially as one focuses on the emotional and mental factors—it still directly impacts all other areas of one’s recovery. 

One’s diet can be effectively put into a routine throughout the day by establishing regular and concrete meal times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Not only can this routine help an individual structure the other aspects of their day, but it also helps ensure they are not overlooking their nutrition or forgetting about meals throughout recovery. 

Having a concrete routine can also prevent the use of quick, rushed meals. These rushed meals, such as microwaveable meals, fast food, or sweet treats have less nutritional value and can be inconsistent in their time of day, compromising one’s routine. 

This routine can also help prevent the development of eating as a replacement addiction or coping strategy during recovery. While it can help an individual remember to eat all of their meals each day, it can also limit one’s meals to only the essential times. 

Prioritizing Healthy Meals

Balancing one’s meals is paramount throughout recovery. While eating regularly is good, it is important that an individual’s food also provides sufficient energy to help them through their daily stresses.

Eating meals such as healthy, cooked meats paired with salads (while moderating one’s use of sweets) can help ensure that one’s meals are rejuvenating. Consuming whole wheat bread, leafy greens with lean meats such as chicken or fish, and replacing sweets with tree nuts or sunflower seeds can all be healthy and impactful alternatives. 

Learning to Cook

Cooking is a fantastic skill to learn throughout recovery. Cooking meals for oneself or others can help to continuously develop life skills and create new ways to communicate and connect with others. It also forces the individual to regularly focus on the meals they are eating. 

Nutrition in Substance Abuse Recovery: Knowing What to Avoid

Prioritizing healthy alternatives and balancing meals between meats, vegetables, fruits, and dairy all help to promote a new, healthy, sober lifestyle. However, some kinds of food can be actively detrimental to one’s recovery. 

High sugar contents can provide a false kind of energy. They can even cause an individual to gain unhealthy weight during recovery without providing the energy needed for one’s daily responsibilities. Overly fatty substances can further continue to affect one’s energy levels, self-image, and self-confidence. 

Consuming caffeine is also crucial to avoid. Caffeine can keep an individual awake far past their bedtime and compromise a good night’s rest in recovery.  It can also heighten one’s feelings of anxiety, panic, or hypervigilance throughout their day, introducing unnecessary stresses and hurdles into one’s daily recovery. 

Frequently Asked Questions

• How does addiction physically affect a person's body?

Addiction can cause physical damage, including track marks, liver disease, and harm to one's lungs, digestive tract, and skin. It can also lead to poor dietary choices that leave the body malnourished.

• Why is establishing a meal routine important during recovery?

Establishing a routine with concrete meal times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner helps structure the day, prevents forgetting to eat, and can limit the consumption of rushed, low-nutrition meals.

• What types of food should someone in recovery prioritize?

Prioritizing balanced meals is key. Healthy choices include whole wheat bread, leafy greens, and lean meats like chicken or fish. Replacing sweets with tree nuts or sunflower seeds is also a good idea.

• What are some of the benefits of learning to cook during recovery?

Learning to cook helps to develop life skills, provides new ways to connect with others, and encourages a regular focus on the meals being consumed.

• What types of food and drink should be avoided during recovery?

It is crucial to avoid foods with high sugar or fat content and to stay away from caffeine. These can negatively affect energy levels, sleep, and feelings of anxiety.

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If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, remember that a healthy diet is just one part of a comprehensive recovery plan. At Chateau Health and Wellness Treatment Center, we understand the profound impact of addiction on both the body and mind. We are here to help you rebuild your life, starting with a strong foundation of physical and mental wellness. Our team is committed to providing the guidance and support you need on this journey. Take ownership of your health and allow our family to help you and yours. We invite you to call us at (435) 222-5225 to begin your path to recovery today.

About The Author

Ben Pearson, LCSW, Clinical Director

Ben Pearson, LCSW - Clinical Director

With 19 years of experience, Ben Pearson specializes in adolescent and family therapy, de-escalation, and high-risk interventions. As a former Clinical Director of an intensive outpatient program, he played a key role in clinical interventions and group therapy. With 15+ years in wilderness treatment and over a decade as a clinician, Ben has helped countless individuals and families navigate mental health and recovery challenges.

Danny Warner, CEO

Danny Warner, CEO of Chateau Health and Wellness

Brings a wealth of experience in business operations, strategic alliances, and turnaround management, with prior leadership roles at Mediconnect Global, Klever Marketing, and WO Investing, Inc. A graduate of Brigham Young University in Economics and History, Danny has a proven track record of delivering results across diverse industries. His most transformative role, however, was as a trail walker and counselor for troubled teens at the Anasazi Foundation, where he directly impacted young lives, a personal commitment to transformation that now drives his leadership at Chateau.

Austin Pederson, Executive Director

Austin Pederson, Executive Director of Chateau Health and Wellness

Brings over eight years of experience revolutionizing mental health and substance abuse treatment through compassionate care and innovative business strategies. Inspired by his own recovery journey, Austin has developed impactful programs tailored to individuals facing trauma and stress while fostering comprehensive support systems that prioritize holistic wellness. His empathetic leadership extends to educating and assisting families, ensuring lasting recovery for clients and their loved ones.

in wilderness treatment and over a decade as a clinician, Ben has helped countless individuals and families navigate mental health and recovery challenges.