There are various short- and long-term benefits of healthy eating programmes for addiction that have made it a key part of treatment at Liberty House. Some of the most important include:
Education about healthy eating
One of the most important parts of our healthy eating programme is that you get the chance to learn about nutrition and how to take care of your body through food. Our kitchen team knows their stuff and you will have the chance to talk to them and pick up tips. You can learn about healthy eating, how to plan meals and even cook dishes you can enjoy during your stay and long after you leave.
A restored appetite
Addiction can mess with your appetite, making it hard to eat properly or even want food at all. For example, alcohol might seem like it’s filling you up at first because it gives you so many calories. But over time, many people stop eating real food and only drink alcohol, which causes weight loss and leaves their body without the vitamins and nutrients it needs to stay healthy. Our healthy eating programme for substance abuse recovery helps restore your natural appetite so you can start eating properly again.
Physical healing
Substances like alcohol or drugs can damage important organs like your liver, heart and stomach, which play a big role in keeping you healthy. Your gut health can also take a hit with some substances causing problems in the digestive system, leading to discomfort, nausea or other issues that make eating unpleasant. In recovery, nutritious meals are part of helping your body repair itself. Over time, your internal systems can start to recover, your digestion will improve and you will feel stronger and more balanced, inside and out.
A nutritional boost
When you first arrive at rehab, your body might need a quick pick-me-up of essential vitamins and minerals. Addiction can leave you running on empty, so the first step in our healthy eating programme for drug addiction and alcoholism is to kick-start your nutritional rebalancing and give your body the nutrients it’s been missing.
During the detox phase, which usually lasts 7 to 10 days, we assess your dietary needs and make sure your body gets everything it requires for a safe withdrawal. This will include maximum hydration, nutrient-packed meals and supplements to fill any nutritional gaps. This helps restore what drugs and alcohol have taken away and helps your body flush out toxins more easily.