Nutrition Therapy Program

Nutrition Therapy Program

emotional abuse and addiction

nutrition therapy programAn often-overlooked component of addiction treatment services is nutrition therapy. Food and mood are often tied together, so it is important to consider potential nutritional deficiencies when treating addiction. Addressing nutritional needs and providing nutrition education can help enhance addiction treatment efficacy and set clients on the path to sober living. Nutritional coaching is one fact of our multidisciplinary approach to wellness and addiction recovery.

At Liberty Bay Recovery, we take a holistic approach to recovering from addiction. Our nutrition therapy program is customized based on the nutritional deficiencies correlated with the substance being used. By targeting our clients’ nutritional needs, we can provide a comprehensive drug addiction treatment program designed for long-term recovery. Call us today at (855) 607-8758 to find out how nutrition therapy can help you heal from addiction.

The Connection Between Nutrition Therapy and Addiction Treatment 

Unknown to most people, substance abuse and nutritional deficiencies can be closely related. But do nutritional deficiencies lead to substance abuse, or is it the other way around? Consider it to be similar to the chicken and egg theory. Each can lead to the other’s existence and set in motion an endless cycle of malnutrition and substance abuse. 

Substance use can lead to nutritional deficiencies for various reasons:

  • Stimulants can depress appetite, and a person may not consume adequate nutrients.
  • Depressants can stimulate appetite and cravings for unhealthy foods.
  • Substance use can affect the body’s ability to adequately absorb nutrients from the food, resulting in malnutrition.

In the case of nutritional deficiency being the instigator, a person can be more susceptible to substance use due to:

  • A lack of proper nutrition can cause mood alterations that trigger anxiety or depression, making a person more likely to reach for substances to self-medicate.
  • A combination of high caffeine intake and inadequate water intake can trigger anxiety and the inability to sleep, increasing the risk of substance use.

How Does a Nutrition Therapy Program Work for Addiction Treatment?

By now, it is clear that nutrition and substance use coincide with one another. When residential addiction treatment programs include nutrition therapy, clients are more likely to experience long-term sobriety. When a person receives nutrition therapy as a part of addiction treatment that involves education on their specific nutritional needs:

  • Their physical health can improve.
  • Their mood can stabilize.
  • Their stress levels can decrease.

These can decrease the need for self-medication, setting the client up for a healthier, cleaner lifestyle.

So how do addiction treatment centers incorporate nutrition therapy into their programs? When treating a client for addiction, the treatment team will consider the specific type of addiction and its impact on nutritional deficiencies. They may also do some bloodwork to check for existing deficiencies. From there, a nutrition therapy program can be designed to fit the individual needs of the client:

  • If the client is enrolled in an inpatient program, the appropriate foods and supplements may be provided as part of treatment. The client may be prepared with nutrition education before exiting the program so they may enjoy continued success.
  • As part of an outpatient program, the client may receive nutrition education to bring their attention to how what they eat can help them heal, decrease substance cravings, and prevent a relapse.

Liberty Bay Recovery: Providing Addiction Treatment with Nutrition Therapy in Portland, Maine

To give yourself the best chance at long-term sober living, you need addiction treatment services that incorporate nutrition therapy for addiction recovery. At Liberty Bay Recovery, we treat the whole person rather than just the addiction because we realize the importance of a holistic approach for a successful recovery. 

Because substance abuse often correlates with mental health conditions, we also provide dual diagnosis treatment that can help you recover from addiction while simultaneously managing the challenges of your mental health condition. To find out more about how our comprehensive addiction treatment programs can help you regain control of your life, call us today at (855) 607-8758