The Importance of Good Nutrition For Individuals in Recovery

Negative Health Effects of Substance Abuse



The negative health effects of substance abuse (be that substance drugs or alcohol) are well documented. However one of effects that many people forget to consider are the negative effects that substance use disorders (SUDs) can have on nutrition. Many individuals suffering from SUDs have very poor diets and may even suffer from malnutrition.

When entering recovery for their SUD, many recovery units will focus on emotional and spiritual recovery, rather than on physical and nutritional recovery. However, to do so would be a very grave mistake. Returning to regular meal times and a focus on food can leave addicts in recovery experiencing weight gain that can leave them feeling unhappy and depressed, and could even cause them to relapse as a way of shifting their new weight. However recovery units that employ registered dietary nutritionists tend to have much higher success rates and provide a vital service to the addicts that use them.

Rehealth



To demonstrate the incredible effects these services can have, an intervention study called REHEALTH (The Recovery Health Eating and Active Learning in Treatment Houses) was trialled, and it was found that offering healthier food options, cookery classes and nutritional education, as well as independent nutritional support, not only lead to those within the program having lower BMIs, it also lead to positive behaviour changes across the board.

A study by Barbadoro et al. (2011) investigated the impact of a nutrition education intervention on the nutritional knowledge and behaviors of 58 alcohol dependent participants in an inpatient treatment facility in Italy. The authors found a positive correlation between the nutrition intervention and the participants’ knowledge of the relationships among nutrition, food, and health, stating that:“Alcohol dependent individuals are receptive to educational messages regarding nutritional health.” - Curated from http://www.rehabs.com/pro-talk-articles/hands-on-nutrition-interventions-for-addiction-recovery/


The importance of choosing nutritious food options should be emphasized as early as possible during the recovery process. This will encourage individuals in recovery to practice self-care and to take responsibility for their own health and rehabilitation. Nutrition intervention for those in recovery is very important, and whilst it isn't common practice in all recovery facilities, it certainly is massively beneficial.

About the Author:



Mel Goulding is a writer and former healthcare worker. She is sharing an article by  David A Wiss and Kristie Moore who explore hands on nutrition intervention for people who are on the road to good health. Read the full article at http://www.rehabs.com/pro-talk-articles/hands-on-nutrition-interventions-for-addiction-recovery/

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Do You Know What's In Your Energy Drink?

Energy drinks are all the rage right now. But not all energy drinks are created equal and it's important to know what's in yours. If possible it's always best to get your energy from natural sources. Many of the drinks on the market have ingredients that give you energy but also come with less desirable side effects. One popular ingredient in energy if you need bursts of energy it might be an indicator that your not getting enough nutrients from your diet.
Read more

3 Simple Secrets for Healthier Eating

Image
Secrets for Healthier Eating In this episode of the Outside Health and Fitness Podcast I'm honored to have registered dietician and author Susie Garcia on the show. Susie co-authored the book “Psyched to be Skinny” and shares some really interesting information today about how our relationships with food can be traced back to our childhood. On today's show you'll learn: ...about different types of eaters ...how different times of day and different events can trigger overeating ... the 3 simple secrets you can implement today to be a healthier eater tomorrow! Call the Show! 1-207-370-9797 Support Outside Health and Fitness [spp-player] [wptab name='About Susie'] About Susie Susie Garcia is a Registered Dietitian specializing in Health and Wellness, Nutrition Education and Food and Diet Trends. She has received the Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year Award by the American Dietetic Association and the Texas Dietetic Association. She is a graduate of North Dak
Read more

Helps To Make Weight Loss on Your Own More Effective

Image
It can be a struggle to lose weight, but fortunately there are many things you can do to increase your chances of reaching your goals. Below is a list of tips for making weight loss more effective and how to lose weight in a healthier and more structured way. Increase Your Fiber Intake Counting calories is not the only thing you should pay attention to in a new diet. You will also need to increase your fiber intake. Foods that are high in fiber are usually low in calories and you will naturally decrease your calorie intake if you consume more fiber-rich foods. Fiber-rich foods are also usually more filling. These foods require more chewing, which is why you feel fuller after you eat foods like these. Fruits, barley, beans, and oats are examples of foods that are filled with fiber. Perform High-Intensity Workouts You may not need to exercise more in order to lose weight. In fact, you can get more out of your work out if you perform high-intensity interval training. This is a me
Read more