Using drugs and alcohol may make a negative impact on our brain and increase the risk of developing diseases but these abusive substances can impact our nutrition too. Detox is about cleaning your body and replacing the bad substances your body is used to with good substances. Here are foods and drinks to fill your body with to help give your body back the nutrition that drugs took away.
Using opiates like Oxycontin and heroin affect the digestive system and can cause you to have constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. You can also suffer an electrolyte imbalance from opiates so it is important to eat foods high in fiber like vegetables, whole grains, and beans. Drinking alcohol is not only empty calories but can cause deficiencies in Vitamin B6, thiamine, and folic acid. You can also have an imbalance of fluids, protein, and electrolytes.
Alcohol can also cause significant damage to the liver so it is important to eat foods like onions, garlic, brussel sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, beetroot, and lemon to detoxify the liver and eliminate buildup. Antioxidants will help heal the liver such as raisins, plums, berries, prunes, pink grapefruit, oranges, pears, and cantaloupes. Stimulants like cocaine and meth can reduce your appetite and you would need a lot of liquids to fight against dehydration. Unlike all of these other drugs, marijuana can actually increase your appetite which will mean eating foods that are high in fat and sugar.
In order to bring back your nutrition and have a healthy body, drink lots of water and avoid sugary drinks like soda and juices. Eat five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Men should eat 56 grams of protein and women should have 46 grams in foods like yogurt and beans. Multivitamins would also be good for you like zinc, Vitamin A, C, and B-Complex found in turmeric, milk thistle, and green tea. Smoking, huffing, or a lack of exercise can cause you to have lung problems. Having foods rich in antioxidants, magnesium, and omega 3s can improve your breathing and your blood flow. Foods high in omega 3s include leafy vegetables, salmon, flax seeds or oil, and chia seeds. Berries, pinto beans, kidney beans, apples, and artichokes are high in antioxidants. Eating these healthy foods will fix the damage that drugs and alcohol did to the body and will help you in your detox program.
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.
