The Best Recovery Foods for Substance Abuse Addiction

Nutrition and exercise play key roles in any recovery from substance abuse. If you’ve taken the first steps, explore the best recovery foods after detox.

In 2017 alone, over 70,000 people died from an illicit drug overdose in the United States. This is twice as high as the number ten years before that and roughly four times as many in 1999.
Despite the alarming statistics of this epidemic, we are learning more and more about the science of addiction. There are treatments available for this condition and lifestyle changes can make a huge impact.

Fortunately, there are now many tools at our disposal to make facing addiction very possible. Read on to learn about how the best recovery foods can aid you in your journey.

Understanding Addiction

Addiction is like many other medical conditions that it is caused by chemical imbalances within the body and central nervous system. Opioids, alcohol, nicotine, and even caffeine are common examples of addictive substances. They cause the user to experience cravings and other symptoms following repeated uses.

This may lead to relapse in order to soothe the cravings or stop the symptoms. Alcohol withdrawals are known to be especially difficult and can even lead to seizure or death without medical care.

Aside from physician-prescribed pharmacological treatments, nutrition for recovering addicts is crucial to aid treatment.

Best Recovery Foods

“Let food be thy medicine and let medicine be thy food”.

History credits Hippocrates with this phrase. It’s no secret that this rings true with many medical conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. This treatment option could be the key you have been missing.

The words of this ancient Greek physician continue to ring true as we now know the relationship between nutrition and addiction. Here are the best foods for recovery.

1. Hydration Is Key

Drinking water is essential for virtually every bodily function down to the cellular level. This is particularly true for nutrition in recovery.

It is important that your kidneys are functioning optimally during this time period. Drinking around two liters per day is reasonable for most people.

2. B Vitamins

Vitamins B1 through B12 are important for everyday health. Vitamins B1 (thiamine), B6, and folic acid are often depleted in persons experiencing alcohol withdrawals. Many signs of alcohol detox are, in fact, due to vitamin deficiency.

Leafy green vegetables, such as spinach, meats, and certain nuts are rich in B vitamins.

3. Amino Acids and Proteins

Getting enough amino acids and proteins in your diet is crucial for cellular repair and countless other functions.

Tyrosine is a precursor to dopamine that can aid in recovery. It is found in cheese, bananas, whole grains, pork, soybeans, and other foods.

L-glutamine can help with cravings, depression, anxiety. It can be found in dark leafy greens, papaya, and meat.

4. Fresh Fruits

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. This also applies to addiction. Be sure to eat plenty of fresh fruit, including vitamin C-rich citrus fruits, such as oranges.

5. Limit Simple Carbs

Simple carbs are found in white bread and most kinds of pasta. However, whole grains are rich in complex carbohydrates that taste great and will provide you with energy without spiking your blood sugar.

Let Your Food Work for You

The fact that you are reading this shows that you are serious about tackling your condition head-on. Recovery isn’t easy but with proper treatment and nutrition, you can enjoy the best health of your life.

Go out and get yourself the best recovery foods and stay the course. You may discover new foods you didn’t know you loved!

For more great wellness-related content, check out the other posts on Cyber Parent.

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