Nutrition counseling can improve your life by teaching healthy eating habits, the value of nutrients, and improved lifestyle choices. One less-spoken-about side effect of drug and alcohol addiction is malnutrition. Individuals who are dependent on substances often eat very little. Also, because much of their finances go towards their addiction, they may prioritize drugs and alcohol over healthy groceries.
Getting help for addiction is the best way to overcome these issues and move on to a happy and healthy life. Nutrition counseling at a professional treatment center provides individuals with personalized dietary plans to restore physical health, improve mood, and support brain function, all of which are critical for maintaining sobriety. It also educates individuals on making healthier food choices, empowering them to develop sustainable habits that promote overall well-being. By integrating nutrition counseling into addiction treatment, individuals can rebuild their physical resilience, which enhances their ability to focus on emotional healing and long-term recovery goals.
Nutrition counseling is a program that teaches individuals how to properly nourish and care for their bodies. In the context of substance rehab, nutrition counseling is used as a holistic therapy activity to aid in overall wellness. Nutrition counseling teaches core information about how to follow a healthy eating diet that isn’t restrictive but instead fuels the body with nutrients. Topics discussed include diet and nutrition, vitamins and minerals, healthy moderation, and life skills as they apply to nutrition. For instance, clients will discuss how to fit healthy eating into a busy schedule.
Nutrition counseling at addiction treatment centers is typically conducted by registered dietitians (RDs) or licensed nutritionists who specialize in addiction recovery. These professionals are trained to understand the unique nutritional challenges faced by individuals recovering from substance use disorders. They assess each client’s dietary needs, identify deficiencies, and develop personalized nutrition plans to support physical and mental recovery. In some cases, addiction treatment centers may also have wellness coaches or medical staff with expertise in nutrition who collaborate with dietitians to provide comprehensive care. The goal is to ensure that clients receive tailored guidance to rebuild their health and support their recovery journey.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, our admissions team is available 24/7. They are compassionate and understanding when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction. They are here to help answer your treatment questions and get you started on the path to recovery. Deciding to seek treatment for a substance use disorder can be intimidating. We are here to make this process as easy as possible. Reach out to us today to learn more about how our treatment centers can help!
Nutrition counseling is not just about eating healthy. It can be used as part of a comprehensive approach to care. It aids in the process of overcoming the hold addiction, mental disorders, and dual diagnoses have on your life. As mentioned, people facing substance addiction usually push healthy eating off to the side. It is one of the casualties of addiction, just as one’s relationships, finances, and career can all begin to feel inconsequential. However, it’s easy for individuals to become malnourished, so their bodies are less equipped to handle substances. As such, they are at a greater risk of serious illness, overdose, or death.
Drugs and alcohol can deplete the nutrients in your body. For instance, ethanol, which is the intoxicating ingredient in alcohol, can prevent the body from absorbing nutrients. These include vitamins, amino acids, water, proteins, minerals, and glucose. Additionally, drugs like opioids, stimulants, and marijuana affect your appetite and can lead to weight loss or gain. Opioids act on the gastrointestinal system to cause stomach upset, which can further lead to malnutrition.
Nutrition for addiction recovery is a simple process. Each client meets with a therapist to discuss healthy eating practices, health goals, and actionable steps they can take. The benefits of nutrition counseling are ample.
Just as substance use depletes one’s vitamins and minerals, as well as decreases appetite, nutrition counseling can reverse these effects. In rehab, clients eat nutritious meals to begin healing right away. And once they implement their new learning at home, they experience consistently improved health.
Similarly, eating healthy can cause an immediate improvement in one’s immune system. Nourishing the body with the right vitamins and minerals, like vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc, boosts your immune strength to prevent sickness.
Eating healthy also leads to better sleep. Following the right diet and eating at the right times helps you regulate your sleep cycle. Some foods even trigger sleep-boosting hormones, like melatonin and serotonin.
Conversely, eating healthy helps you have more energy during the daytime, as well as better brain clarity. In turn, this helps improve all aspects of your life, including your motivation and positive mood. Nutrition counseling teaches what to eat and when to eat it for an energy boost.
Fortunately, healthy eating is simple and straightforward. Essentially, nutrition counseling teaches individuals to eat foods from each major food group, follow proper portioning, and tweak their eating based on their health concerns. In nutrition therapy, you will discuss the following advice in greater depth.
Nutrition counseling teaches you how to build meals according to the major food groups or food pyramid. As a general rule, you want to fill your plate with as many nutrient-dense foods as possible. These include protein, greens, vegetables, and healthy fats. Nutrition counseling will walk you through easy formulas you can follow to stay consistent with your vitamins and minerals.
When your body doesn’t receive the right nutritional balance, you will experience cravings. The same is true when you face an addiction to substances. You may have intense sugar or fried food cravings because your brain’s reward system has been modified by substance abuse. As such, nutrition counseling will teach you how to overcome unhealthy cravings by satiating your body with healthy alternatives. Plus, it will show you how to limit sugar and fat in a manageable way you can maintain.
Lastly, another important element of nutrition is eating the right foods at the right times. Certain foods provide energy (like fiber), while others trigger sleep hormones (like tart cherries). Additionally, some foods are better consumed in the morning versus night because of how your body digests them. Your nutrition therapist will explain how to follow a healthy eating routine to avoid disruption to your circadian rhythms.
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Understandably, nutrition counseling offers many benefits to individuals, especially those who are facing malnutrition because of a substance disorder. Nutrition therapy is more than simply diet help. It can improve your total wellness and determine your energy and sleep patterns for a better mood and clearer brain. Additionally, it lowers your risk of obesity and the health issues that develop from it.
Nutrition counseling is a simple but effective holistic treatment option. The steps of eating healthy are not complex, so anyone can learn and implement them. One of our main treatment goals at Aliya Health Group is for clients to be able to use the skills they learn after they complete rehab. In accordance with this, individuals can use their nutrition skills anywhere they go after leaving our facilities!
Personalized nutrition counseling can help everyone, regardless of whether you have a history of substance addiction, mental illness, co-occurring disorders, or another issue with food and nutrition. Please let us answer your questions about nutrition counseling in rehab by phone or through our convenient contact form.
We accept most major health insurance providers on both a national and local level. We currently work with the following insurance plans:
Before entering outpatient treatment for substance abuse, most people have a long list of questions and concerns. To help you gain a better understanding of what to expect during outpatient programs, we have compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions.
Yes, our rehabilitation facilities have designated smoking areas available. However, kindly note that all cigarettes brought into the facility must be in unopened packs or cartons. The same rule applies to any cigarettes sent or brought by family or friends. Our staff will be more than happy to provide you with additional details regarding these guidelines during the admission process.
Yes, in most cases, we can offer repayment options tailored to your unique circumstances. For more details regarding personal repayment options, we recommend reaching out to our admissions team. They’ll be more than happy to assist you.
We accept all major insurance plans at our treatment locations. To learn more about insurance and treatment cost, contact our admissions team or fill out our secure insurance verification form.
Yes, we provide integrative dual diagnostics alongside a wide array of treatment modalities. Our core objective revolves around tackling addiction, while simultaneously addressing the underlying factors that contribute to substance use disorders. Our mission is to deliver effective and holistic care that encompasses both symptom management and the exploration of root causes of addiction.
In terms of cost, outpatient treatment is typically more affordable than inpatient options which require round-the-clock medical supervision. This makes it a viable solution for individuals who may be deterred from seeking help due to financial constraints.
“I highly recommend this facility for anyone needing treatment. The staff isn’t just nice and genuine there but instead one big family. Whether it’s the owner, housing manager, or a bht you get the best down to earth genuine care. The material they teach in group is very helpful also.”
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Aliya Health Group is a comprehensive network of addiction and mental health treatment centers, with locations spanning nationwide.
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