Alcoholism treatment is a severe process. Each patient undergoes rehabilitation for a long time. The goal of all procedures is to refuse the use of alcohol and dangerous products, the opportunity to come to a healthy lifestyle. When there is a way out of binge or a full return to a sober life, it is necessary to restore the normal body functioning. This requires a competent diet for alcoholism. Patients need to regain normal body weight, improve their physical health. Therefore, it is very important to choose the right nutrition, which allows you to recover after prolonged abuse of spirits.
The fight against the craving for alcohol should be carried out comprehensively. It is necessary not only to take medications, receive psychotherapeutic support but also pay attention to your diet. An important role is played by a proper nutrition plan. It helps support the body, stimulate its purification from toxins, get the necessary vitamins, restore strength, and get rid of harmful substances.
If you are already done with your rehabilitation, talk to your doctor about post-rehabilitation nutrition or contact any of reliable drug addiction hotline. The hotline specialists will provide you with all the information needed and help choose a doctor or you.
Foods you should avoid
The nutrition plan of alcohol-dependent people has another important task. It should reduce dependence on simple carbohydrates. They, like alcohol, increase the sugar content in the bloodstream. As a result, a person may have an increased desire to drink. Carbohydrate-rich foods and dishes:
– pasta;
– a variety of pastries;
– rice;
– white bread, etc.
The body of people with a pathological craving for strong drinks reacts to the intake of such products by producing excessive amounts of insulin. As a result, a lot of sugar comes out of the blood. Hypoglycemia occurs. It stimulates anxiety and increases irritability. After this, an alcoholic instinctively wants to bring their condition back to normal and return sugar back. Therefore, they start drinking alcohol again and do not call rehab for a long time.
Foods you should add to your nutrition
A nutrition plan should consist of foods that are high in amino acids and protein. The first element is useful for brain activity. The second one replaces carbohydrates and allows you to cope with the desire to normalize the amount of sugar.
Alcohol provokes an imbalance of dopamine and serotonin, stimulating the production of “hormones of happiness and good mood.” As a result, a drunk person experiences euphoria.
But after a while, a patient feels depressed along with the hangover. Their mood is constantly changing and haunted by a sense of anxiety. As a result, an alcoholic wants to drink in order to feel good again.
Therefore, nutrition after regular drinking should restore the balance of these hormones. But the metabolic rate in people varies, so an individual approach is needed. Best of all, to determine the optimal nutrition, do a blood test, and figure out what the body needs most.
Another important element in restoring the body is fat. It is necessary for the effective functioning of the brain and body. Such elements as Omega-3 are especially in demand. These are fat-containing acids found in fish, walnuts, and flax seeds.
The scientists from the University of Loyola (Chicago) found that Omega-3 inhibits the negative processes in the brain that occur with alcoholism. In particular, it helps to prevent the development of dementia in people who constantly abuse alcohol.
Nutritional supplements also play an important role. They are selected for each patient individually. For example, in some cases, the use of glutamine is recommended. This amino acid helps suppress the urge to drink while abstaining from alcohol.
With a pathological craving for alcohol, the body is depleted. A deficiency of minerals and vitamins is formed. In such cases, vitamin B complexes will be useful. Also recommended for use are mineral supplements that can eliminate the lack of necessary substances.
It is also recommended to pay close attention to the quality of food intake. It must be healthy and fresh. Alcoholics are advised to consume large amounts of vegetables and fruits. Whole grain food is very useful. Eating red meat should also be limited a bit. It is better to eat legumes more.
How to create a nutrition plan?
It is best to seek the help of qualified doctors: narcologists, nutritionists. Only specialists will be able to:
– take into account all available pathologies, age category, individual intolerance to certain products;
– prepare an individual diet program that is optimal for a particular patient;
– adjust the diet in accordance with the improvement or worsening of the patient;
– offer different options for diets, and choose from the options that are most suitable for the patient.
Additionally, before a doctor’s consultation, you can contact a national addiction hotline. The specialists will consult you on nutrition basics and give some advice on what you should also pay attention to.
If due to coronavirus you do not want to leave your home, a drug question hotline is also a nice option. There are also 24 hour addiction helplines, so you can call any time you want.
Naturally, the treatment of an alcoholic does not consist of a single diet. It must be carried out comprehensively. It is necessary to draw up not only a competent diet, but also to carry out a number of therapeutic measures using various drugs, psychological techniques, and physiotherapy. Only then the result will be as positive as possible.
