We know that drugs can affect the way we think and cause a lot of damage to our lives mentally as well as physically, bringing a lot of stress. Substance abuse can also ruin our nutrition where users are left with depleted levels of vitamins, minerals, and essential amino acids and fats that we need to live. Going to treatment and visiting a nutrition specialist will help you get your nutrition back as well as promote regular exercise to remove the damage that drugs have caused.
Substance abuse can do a lot of damage to your nutrition such as suppressing your appetite or forgetting to eat, prioritizing drug usage first before food, immune system damage, gastrointestinal problems, low blood sugar, and ruining your stomach lining, liver, pancreas, and intestines. Withdrawing from opioids can include vomiting and diarrhea which will deplete you from nutrients, cause an electrolyte imbalance, and lead to dehydration. Eating balanced meals with complex carbs can reduce the intensity of these withdrawal symptoms.
Stimulants can affect the satiety centers of the brain which send signals turning down the drive to eat. Long-term use of stimulants can lead to severe weight loss and malnutrition. When you stop taking stimulants, you feel compelled to overeat which surprises the digestive system. Marijuana has a tendency to do the opposite where your appetite is increased mostly in junk food which does not have essential vitamins and nutrients. You can gain a large amount of weight from overeating and making bad food choices. You will be eating more trans fat than you need which stops your cell membrane from working well and repairing the damage.
It is never too late to start over and make better nutritious choices. Treatment centers will encourage exercising to boost your mood, increase your energy, improve your body image, and lessen your cravings. Eating complex carbs will give you long-lasting energy without the crash that simple carbs can bring you. Reduce your caffeine intake as it can dehydrate you as well as suppress appetite. Taking vitamin supplements like Vitamin A and C, zinc, and B complex vitamins will help restore deficiencies and repair neurotransmitters. Drink water with your meals and in-between meals. Your nutritional counselor will make you a personalized, well-balanced meal that include quality fats, proteins, and complex carbs. Getting the right nutrition will help your brain and body heal from the damage done by substance abuse.
Located in downtown Midland, The Springboard Center’s mission is to offer programs and services to treat alcohol and drug addiction treatment using an evidence based curriculum, 12 step programs, diet, nutrition, exercise, emotional, mental and spiritual development for a long recovery. For more information, please call us at 432-620-0255 as we are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
