What you eat can play a direct role in your addiction recovery. Nutrition is more than just fuel. It supports organ repair and the function of major systems throughout your body. Proper nutrition gives your body the chance to really recover.
At The Ranch at Dove Tree, a component of our addiction treatment program in Lubbock, Texas, is incorporating health-focused changes, including diet and nutrition improvements. The more you understand how this works, the better you can prepare to create lasting change. Here’s why it matters and what you can expect.
Why Nutrition Matters in Addiction Recovery
There are two ways substance use can harm your body. The first is the direct impact the substance has on the organs and cells that keep your body running. It damages them, causing inflammation and reduced function.
The second way substance use harms your body is by changing your habits and priorities. Many people experience significant lifestyle changes. They stop eating regularly, eat less-than-healthy foods more often, or vomit, which limits nutrient intake.
By improving nutrition, we give your body the tools it needs to start healing again. Nutrition helps to improve metabolism, organ function, healing, mental health, and overall well-being. It’s not uncommon to not want to embrace a new lifestyle without substances and also make changes to eating habits. However, there may be a direct link between relapsing from substance use and your eating habits, as noted by MedlinePlus.
What Your Body Needs to Heal
During residential treatment for substance use, our team will work closely with you to create an individualized plan for care. That certainly will include group therapy and individual sessions with a therapist. But it also includes a focus on physical health and recovery.
There are several key strategies to support your body’s healing process from a dietary perspective:
- Routine mealtimes. Eating at regular mealtimes allows your body to get the calories it needs throughout the day. This supports a healthy metabolism and may lead to improved energy throughout the day.
- Lower-fat foods. It is common for physicians to prescribe a diet that incorporates more lean foods and less saturated fat. Some fats, like those from oils and fish, are good for brain health and revitalization. However, saturated fats put further strain on the digestive and cardiovascular system.
- Improve protein intake. Lean protein is a valuable tool for healing. It helps rebuild muscle mass and may provide more energy.
- Well-balanced carbs and fiber. You’ll need these foods to support health and recovery as well. Often, the nutrients you take in also help flush toxins from substance use.
- Vitamins and mineral inclusion. Numerous vitamins and minerals are essential for recovery from addiction and related damage. That includes B-complex vitamins to support energy and healing, zinc, and Vitamins A and C.
The ideal formula for your body may differ from others. Our team works with you to create a plan to address the specific needs you have. The reality is many people are fighting malnutrition and organ damage. You may need a specialized diet to help reintroduce nutrients to your body.
Rebuilding your body with nutrition in addiction recovery is a process that takes time. But many people feel better once they embark on this process. You may feel like you have more energy or that your body is healing from the inside out.
What Happens in Nutritional Therapy?
The Ranch at Dove Tree provides nutritional therapy for those in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. This is part of our holistic focus on your health journey. You will:
- Have a full physical and mental health examination to look for critical concerns.
- Gain access to the immediate nutritional needs you have to overcome deficiencies.
- Healthy diet creation that allows you to eat foods you enjoy but with the nutrients your body needs.
- Learn about portion control, preparing healthy meals, getting a whole-foods diet in, and how to manage costs and preparation limitations.
Gain experience working with foods and learning how to use them to support your addiction recovery. This isn’t just about eating more vegetables but a therapy process that specifically targets what your body needs to build a path towards long-term recovery and wellness.
Set Up Some Time to Speak to Us Now
Nutrition matters to your future recovery. For help with nutrition support in addiction recovery, contact The Ranch at Dove Tree. Allow our team to create a treatment plan that addresses all of your needs. Contact us now.
