Nutrition education might be a single component in addiction treatment, but it is essential. When someone suffers from an addiction, it affects their physical, emotional and mental health. To become and stay sober, individuals need help repairing the damage of their addiction.

Getting Nutrition Education and an Assessment

In a nutrition education program, clients begin by going through an initial assessment. The nutritional assessment looks at the client’s current diet and their ongoing health needs. The nutrition counselor will also consider the client’s underlying medical conditions, substance abuse history and other factors in creating a nutritional assessment.

Once the counselor has this information, they can make a unique, personally tailored diet for the individual. In reality, this kind of plan is less like a diet and more like a lifestyle. It includes the fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins that clients need to be healthy.

During rehab, an addiction or nutrition counselor will work with the client in a nutrition education program. This may be a one-on-one or group environment. In the nutrition education class, counselors model healthy food choices, promote proper eating habits and stabilize the body. They also help clients restore their muscle mass and weight to a normal level.

Why Is Nutrition Education Important?

An addiction can cause many types of nutritional problems. When clients begin treatment at a luxury rehab center, they may even need fluids restored intravenously or nutritional supplements. Over time, substance abuse can take an enormous toll on the human body. Often, an addiction will cause hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, and metabolic problems.

During nutrition education, clients learn about the ways that nutrition supports their overall health. For someone to resist drug cravings, their mind and body have to be in perfect working order. Treatment programs help clients become healthy so that their treatment is more likely to be successful.

How Drugs Affect the Body

Often, nutrition education includes information about how drugs affect the body. Alcohol can inhibit the body’s ability to absorb certain vitamins and minerals. Someone can also make poor food choices when they are drinking.

Opioids affect the body in a different way. As central nervous system depressants, opioids make the body’s digestive system function slowly. This can cause constipation, a loss of appetite and problems absorbing nutrients.

It is extremely common for individuals in treatment to have weight issues or dehydration problems. Some clients also suffer from sleep deprivation or nutritional deficiencies. During the initial assessment, an addiction specialist will work with clients to begin fixing these problems.

Getting Started With an Addiction Treatment Program

Whether someone wants a nutrition education program or individual counseling, rehab is the place to go to begin recovery. At the rehab center, clients can go through detox to remove any remaining chemicals from their body. Then, an addiction counselor makes a customized, unique treatment plan for the individual’s lasting recovery.

With the right treatment program, clients can find support through options such as:

Recovering from an addiction can be a challenge, but becoming sober is possible. If you or a loved one suffers from an addiction, the right rehab program can help you become sober and begin living your dreams. Through a high-quality rehab, you can find options like group therapy, nutrition education, and triple diagnosis care. To find out more information about how Pillars Recovery can support your sobriety goals, call our addiction specialists today at 8667820247.