It is the role of holistic treatment to treat any underlying biochemical imbalances and genetic factors that contribute to alcohol cravings, anxiety, and depression. Using biochemical repair will help bring the brain and the body back into balance. Nutritional therapy can help those with alcoholism change their unhealthy diets and give them supplements to be more in control of their alcoholism.
Because alcohol has no nutrients, this can result in lacking critical nutrients. If you spend all day drinking alcohol, you could be very low on zinc since you are not consuming enough food like meat, whole grains, nuts, and dairy products. Alcoholism can also cause a decrease of zinc in your stomach and increase zinc loss through your urine. Your taste and smell can be reduced, crusty skin sores on your face, and poor night vision. You can also develop mental health problems that many alcoholics experience like depression, irritability, confusion and apathy because of your lack of zinc. Having a leaky gut can lead to toxins being able to travel to your liver and contribute to liver disease. It is recommended that you have 220 milligrams of zinc sulfate with your meals to avoid abdominal pain and nausea.
When you go to holistic treatment, medically-trained professionals will give you the basic level of nutritional support along with a multivitamin and will think of what nutrients you must have based on your lab results. They will check if you have a genetic mutation that is affecting your ability to make an active form of certain B vitamins like folate or vitamin B6. A decrease in folate and vitamin B6 will slow down the production of serotonin and dopamine which helps you manage your cravings and sweets. Your normal fasting sugar should be 70-99 milligrams and will look for ways to raise and boost energy in they crash which trigger cravings.
Holistic treatment will minimize or avoid heavily processed and sugar sweetened food. While the treatment center will provide well-planned, balanced meals, you will also learn how to prepare and plan your own meals for when you go home. Constant drinking can also reduce the dopamine receptors in your brain which are your feel-good chemicals. Eating high protein will increase dopamine receptors and the building blocks used for dopamine. Meditation, yoga, music therapy, and acupuncture can also promote dopamine. Getting the right amount of nutrients will ensure an easier recovery.
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.
