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Drug and alcohol addiction can have drastic negative side effects on an individual’s mental and physical health. Thus, one of the first steps to recovering from drug and alcohol addiction is detoxification.
This is a crucial part of the recovery process, as it allows the individual’s body to heal from the physical health tolls substance abuse can have on the body, and creates the foundation to begin the mental health healing process.
During the detox process, all drug and alcohol traces will be removed from the body. However, because the brain has become accustomed to high levels of substance use, this must be a process of gradual reduction and eventual removal, allowing time for the body to adjust to the drop in chemicals.
Drug and alcohol abuse can harm the body by causing direct physical harm by altering chemical levels in the body, or producing a secondary mental health disorder (or disorders).
Further damage can occur through the altering of lifestyle habits, such as disrupting sleep cycles, producing irregular eating habits or nutritional deficiencies, etc. Damage to the skin and nails can happen with a lack of nutrition, as well as the link between alcohol and hair loss due to stress and poor dietary habits.
Because their bodies are no longer receiving the chemicals they have become dependent on, individuals recovering from addiction commonly experience withdrawal symptoms, such as unpleasant physical or emotional sensations.
Detoxifying without the supervision of a medical professional can be both ineffective and dangerous, as it can be a difficult process for an individual to endure without guidance. Thus, it is highly recommended that those in recovery seek out professional medical advice and supervision.
There are several steps in the process of detoxification, including:
Every individual’s situation is different, thus, the care and treatment they require will differ on a case-by-case basis.
The first step in a healthy detox diet requires those struggling with addiction to receive a medical assessment, during which a medical expert will get information on their patient’s medical history and specific substance abuse issues. This will allow them to create a personalized detoxification plan for that individual.
As a person goes through the recovery process, they will likely begin to experience withdrawal symptoms as their body adjusts to gradually decreased levels of the abused substance.
These symptoms can vary in nature, and the severity and duration of them typically depend on how long the individual has been struggling with substance abuse.
Some of the physical symptoms associated with withdrawal are:
Some of the psychological symptoms associated with withdrawal are:
While not as common, some of the more severe symptoms associated with withdrawal are:
Because the side effects of stopping substance abuse can be intense, patients will typically be administered controlled medications to help combat and cope with them.
These medications can also help to ease any depression or anxiety that may arise during the recovery process, as well as help improve sleep.
Recovering from a substance addiction is a difficult process, making constant support a crucial part of the detox process.
Receiving compassionate and expert care 24/7, throughout the entirety of the recovery process, has been proven to help promote the best possible recovery outcome for many of those receiving addiction treatment.
Detoxification from substance abuse lasts an average of 7 to 10 days but can vary depending on the situation and care needs of the individual receiving treatment. Factors that may play a role in the length of this process can include:
The detox process is just the first step to recovery and typically serves as part of a longer addiction rehab process. Following the diet, those receiving addiction treatment will likely proceed to a rehab program geared toward providing psychological therapy.
Recovering from substance addiction can also cause changes to the body, including its metabolic (ability to process energy) and organ functions, as well as the mental well-being of the individual in recovery.
Another concern to take into account is the nutritional deficiencies commonly associated with alcohol and drug abuse.
One of the major causes of nutritional deficiencies in the United States, those struggling with an alcohol addiction most commonly lack healthy levels of B vitamins (B1, B6, and folic acids).
This can lead to the development of anemia, neurologic problems, or even a disease associated with heavy alcohol use known as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (“wet brain”).
Excessive alcohol consumption can also cause damage to liver function and the pancreas, which can lead to a further imbalance in an individual’s fluids, calories, proteins, and electrolytes.
Different drugs can have different impacts on an individual’s nutrition, but some of the most commonly studied substances include opiates (codeine, oxycodone, heroin, and morphine), stimulants (crack cocaine, and methamphetamine), and marijuana.
Opiates have a direct impact on the gastrointestinal system and often cause constipation for those struggling with opiate addiction.
Symptoms commonly experienced during opiate withdrawal include issues with digestive health, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These can lead to:
Eating balanced meals can help ease some of these symptoms; high-protein diets with plenty of complex carbohydrates (whole grains such as brown rice and vegetables) are usually recommended.
Stimulants can lead to a decrease in appetite and rapid weight loss, which in turn result in nutritional deficiencies.
For those struggling with an addiction to stimulants, they may find themselves staying up for multiple days in a row, potentially leading to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
Excessive use of marijuana can lead to increases in appetite and binge eating. This can lead to rapid weight gain and may require cutting back on foods high in saturated fats, sugar, and total caloric content.
Because drug detoxification can be difficult and dangerous, it is best to proceed with a solid foundation and plan before starting this part of the recovery process.
Quitting drugs cold turkey is not the safest of addiction treatment options. For those recovering from substance abuse, severe withdrawal symptoms are a strong possibility and can be hard to manage (and in extreme cases, fatal) by themselves.
Furthermore, if strong enough, experiencing substance cravings during unsupervised detoxes can lead to relapse, and even overdosing.
Thus, it is highly recommended that those who wish to undergo a detox diet seek out a detox program offered at a local rehab center or other treatment facilities, where they can receive guided care from licensed medical professionals. For more information or help-seeking addiction treatment, call our team at Rehabs Of Armerica today!
During the detox process, the diet itself will likely vary on a person-by-person case. However, there are certain foods that are recommended for consumption to help assist in the detoxification and recovery periods, such as:
It is also important to stay hydrated while detoxing. Ensuring proper intake of fluids can help those undergoing this process to avoid side effects such as muscle pains and cramps, headache, fatigue, nausea, etc.
Avoiding caffeine during a drug detox is also recommended, as it can trigger neurotransmitters in the brain, increasing stimulation and thus making it more difficult to focus on recovery.
Consuming seaweed during the detox process can also be extremely beneficial. Because of the sodium alginate stored within seaweed, it binds to any traces of drugs that may still be residing within the body and keeps them from being absorbed.
Furthermore, as a dark green vegetable, seaweed is packed full of essential nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, and iron.
Ginger is an excellent addition to any detox diet, as it helps improve liver function, which is the organ mainly responsible for removing toxins from the body.
Furthermore, it can increase an individual’s metabolism, speed up the digestive system, and reduce inflammation throughout the body.
Participating and light and moderate amounts of exercise may be recommended for some individuals during their detox journey. Walking, swimming, yoga, and any other form of non-intensive exercise can have multiple benefits, including:
For many struggling with substance abuse and addiction, this can be an incredibly lonely and difficult experience. Having a strong support system to assist in seeking addiction treatment can be extremely beneficial, if not a vital component to an individual’s recovery.
For individuals who are disconnected from family or loved ones, finding rehab centers that provide detox programs with 24/7 support is highly recommended.
Knowing how to maintain sobriety after undergoing a medical detox can be tricky. However, there are general guidelines that help identify behaviors and habits that help individuals stay in recovery and take proper care of their overall health.
There are several foods associated with promoting healthier brain functions, but most experts recommend individuals eat foods that help protect heart and blood vessels, such as bright fruits, leafy vegetables, legumes, and healthy fats (olive oil or canola, for example).
Other food options that can help promote brain power include:
Artificially sweetened beverages can deteriorate one’s health as well. This is why we need to consume pure water. Even if you are trying to flush alcohol from your urine, drinking pure and clean water is helpful and healthy.
Even drinks that contain a high portion of water are not as healthy as water itself. However, how much water do we need on a daily basis? The common school of thought is for us to consume eight glasses of water per day. Naturally, every one of our bodies is different; eight water glasses may be too much for you and not sufficient water for me. Especially for those of us in recovery, the need to hydrate often and thoroughly can, along with diet, help to maintain mood and even boost appearance.
The requirement for water can also vary severely on a day-to-day basis; of course, this depends on several factors, which include the level of your activity and the weather.
It is fortunate that our bodies are structured to tell us when we need to replenish our water supplies, which we know as thirst. Even when we feel we are not thirsty, there is a simple way to gauge whether or not we need to consume more water. Read on to find out more about this easy indicator of thirst.
Once the body has lost as little as two percent of water content, this will signify its desires by making us thirsty. Thus, thirst as a gauge of how much water we need to consume is an essential way to make sure our individual needs are met daily.
However, many times we are already dehydrated by the time the thirst mechanism takes effect. Many studies reveal that approximately 2/3 of men and women are dehydrated and need to consume more water.
Especially for the elderly, this is particularly true. Thus, it is prudent to learn of many of our body signals, no matter how subtle, which calls for us to drink more water. Remember, the recommended amount of water an adult should drink daily (regardless of his/her age) should be at least 6-8 glasses of water.
Finding the right detox program and addiction treatment can be a tricky process. Luckily, our team at Find Addiction Rehab offers tools and professional services to ensure quality assistance in receiving the help you or a loved one needs.
Simply by contacting us using the form on our website, or by calling our helpline at any time, you can find out which facilities and programs are best suited to your needs.
Receiving the care you need can be hard, but it doesn’t have to feel impossible; let us help you take the first steps on your path to recovery. Call today to get started on a path to a healthier and happier you!
Nicole R. is an experienced and accomplished writer with special interests in the fields of Anthropology, English, and behavioral health, and has written countless articles for newspaper publications, institutional research journals, and Find Addiction Rehabs.
Her alma matter is Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. Nicole hopes to spread awareness of and combat the stigmatization surrounding addiction and substance abuse treatment through her writing and work in the field.
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