Although conventional medical and psychological care are necessary for addiction recovery, nutrition does play an important role. It is particularly impactful during detox or the phase of treatment where a patient stops taking any drugs or alcohol and waits for the body to naturally rid itself of these harmful substances. Substance abuse also does long-term damage to the body, and a special nutrition plan may be required long-term. Alcohol inhibits the absorption of vital nutrients such as thiamine (vitamin B1), vitamin B12, folic acid, and zinc, so you may need to take vitamin supplements if you aren’t getting enough from your food. A deficiency of these vitamins can cause anemia and even neurological problems. Various substances can impact fiber intake and lead to severe constipation, which this is also a natural effect of opioids. In addition to getting these vitamins and nutrients through food, supplements and herbal medicine are also becoming common.
Nutraceuticals are products that can be used both for nutrition and medicine. A nutraceutical product has physiological benefits or provides protection against chronic disease, but it is not regulated by any government body the way that pharmaceuticals are. They are also generally not patented.
A dietary supplement contains one or more of a mineral, a vitamin, an amino acid, or a medical herb, and it is used to supplement the diet by increasing the total daily intake of an ingredient. The difference between nutraceuticals and dietary supplements is the medical use, rather than just nutritional.
The following are some supplements and nutraceuticals that have been used for detox or to repair the body after substance abuse:
- Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) can regenerate the liver and help with detoxification
- Superfoods or green food supplements like the bacterial extract spirulina or the algae chlorella help with detox
- Passionflower, hops, oat straw, and valerian can be made into teas and have calming effects that can help with anxiety
- The herb kava (Piper methysticum) is generally used as a tea and can be helpful for anxiety
- Bovine glandulars help the body absorb minerals
- Phosphatidylcholine is a healthy fatty acid that protects and repairs damaged brain cells and prevents fatty liver disease and pancreatitis
- Protein powders containing amino acids help the liver detoxify, improves digestion and absorption of foods, and strengthen the pancreas.
- B vitamins help convert food into fuel, enabling you to maintain ideal energy levels. B vitamins can also alleviate depression, improve memory and restore sleep patterns.
- Vitamin C can help reduce alcohol cravings by increasing levels of the “feel-good” neurotransmitter dopamine.
- Probiotics help break down nutrients and improve the immune system.
If you or a loved one need help to quit drugs or alcohol, consider Asana Recovery. We offer medical detox, along with both residential and outpatient programs, and you’ll be supervised by a highly trained staff of medical professionals, counselors, and therapists. Your meals will be prepared by a chef, assisted by a certified dietitian, to ensure that you are receiving the proper nutrition. Call us any time at (949) 438-4504.
