An essential part of overcoming an alcohol use disorder (AUD) or substance use disorder (SUD) is undergoing detox. However, it is not enough to simply detox the body but to also replace nutrients and vitamins lost while you were addicted. Therefore, it is vital to learn more about what foods are good for drug detox and after detox.
What Is a Drug Detox?
A drug detox is a process where the substances you were misusing are removed from the body so it can start to heal. It is never recommended to quit “cold turkey” as the withdrawal symptoms could be very unpleasant and severe, often leading to relapse.
Instead, it is more beneficial to obtain medically assisted detox where qualified healthcare providers oversee each step of your detox program. This way, you can be slowly weaned off highly addictive substances while minimizing the severity of withdrawal symptoms.
A drug detox is considered successful once all traces of the substance have been removed from the body and there have been no relapses during the detox process.
The Importance of Replacing Lost Nutrients
When you drink excessively or misuse drugs, your body usually does not get the proper nutrients and vitamins it requires. Furthermore, many substances alter how the body processes nutrients and vitamins.
For example, some substances prevent the absorption of essential nutrients and vitamins, resulting in deficiencies. Other substances can force the body to release excess amounts of nutrients and vitamins, so their stores are quickly depleted, also resulting in deficiencies.
So, once you begin your detox treatment, it is crucial to start to restore lost nutrients and vitamins. Doing so helps illuminate deficiencies while also helping promote the healing process in various areas of the body where the substances did the most damage, like the brain, liver, and kidneys.
Additionally, both AUD and SUD cause the release of excess endorphins in the brain. Once you begin detox, there are deficiencies of these endorphins. You can also have various forms of neurological damage to nerve endings and neuro-networks.
Fortunately, the brain is very remarkable and able to repair the damages caused by alcohol and substance addictions in most cases. It will create new nerve endings and neuro-networks while also returning endorphin products to normal levels. However, it needs the proper nutrients and vitamins to do this.
Most Common Deficiencies from Substance Abuse
The types of nutrient and vitamin deficiencies you have are directly related to the substances you were abusing. Therefore, it is essential to know what nutritional deficiency you have to determine the best foods to eat during and after your drug detox.
Stimulant Nutritional Deficiencies
People who abuse stimulants can go days without eating due to their appetites being suppressed by the stimulant. As a result, people undergoing stimulant detox often have nutrient and vitamin deficiencies in numerous areas. They can also benefit from increasing protein sources and Omega-3s.
Alcohol Nutritional Deficiencies
Alcohol abuse can cause deficiencies in B vitamins, including thiamine, riboflavin, and pyridoxine. Other deficiencies can include Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folic acid, iron, and calcium. So, you should consider foods and supplements that contain these essential nutrients.
Opiate Nutritional Deficiencies
Opiate abuse often results in digestive and gastrointestinal problems, including diarrhea, which removes many nutrients from the body. During opiate detox, eating plenty of fiber and carbohydrates is a good idea to help address nutritional deficiencies and resolve digestive and gastrointestinal problems.
What Foods Are Good for Drug Detox?
The specific foods good for drug detox will vary based on the substances you were abusing. However, eating a well-balanced diet with the following foods will help replenish lost nutrients and vitamins:
- Fish
- Eggs
- Dairy Products
- Leafy Greens
- Lean Meats
- Whole Grains
- Beans
- Peas
- Citrus Fruits
- Papayas
- Bell Peppers
- Potatoes
- Lentils
- Nuts
- Apples
- Berries
- Avocados
- Tomatoes
- Flaxseed
- Green Tea
Other Healthy Habits to Start During Detox
Besides eating a healthy, well-balanced diet, other healthy habits you should start during detox include:
- Regular Exercise
- Creating and Sticking to a Structured Routine
- Eat Smaller Portions/Multiple Times Throughout the Day
- Stick to 3 Regular Meal Times and 3 Snack Times Each Day
- Consider Other Addiction Treatment Options:
- Outpatient Rehab
- Group Meetings
- Individual Counseling
- Getting a Sober Companion
Detoxing from Alcohol and Drugs at Home in Beverly Hills, CA
Recovering from AUD or SUD is more than just undergoing detox to rid your body of the addictive substances. It also requires you to make changes to your eating habits to ensure your body is getting the right nutrients and vitamins to address deficiencies and heal itself.
MD Home Detox offers concierge-level medically supervised detox programs you can complete from the comfort of your home in Beverly Hills and the greater Los Angeles area. Our medical providers also help determine what nutrients and vitamins would be most beneficial for you during and after detox. To learn more about detoxing at home or to start your detox today, contact us.