Nutrition and Addiction Recovery in Orlando, FL

 Nutrition and Wellness in Addiction Recovery: A WhiteSands Orlando Perspective

Substance use disorders are full-body conditions that have significant impacts on your body, mind, and spirit. At WhiteSands, we believe that in order to effectively heal from the impacts of addiction and gain long-lasting recovery, addiction treatment needs to include a comprehensive, whole-person approach to treatment and recovery. Patients in our recovery programs are offered participation in a variety of evidence-based addiction therapy methods, medical care, and holistic healing approaches that are centered around body, mind, and spirit wellness. A key component to your success in addiction recovery is having a focus on nutrition and wellness that support you in healing your body while creating a healthy, balanced lifestyle that promotes physical and psychological health. WhiteSands is committed to helping Orlando rehab patients in getting on the road to recovery through a holistic healing journey through our individualized treatment programs. 

Understanding the Connection: Nutrition, Wellness, and Addiction Recovery

Engaging in substance use has impacts on a person’s life physically, emotionally, mentally, socially, and spiritually. Often when someone is living with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, their lifestyle becomes centered around substance use and can start to negatively impact both their biological and psychological health. During active addiction, it is common for someone to experience changes in their health due to an unhealthy mind state that lacks focus on proper nutrition, physical exercise, or positive mental health and self-care practices. 

Nutritional deficiencies are common among individuals living with an addiction to drugs or alcohol. In some severe cases, some people can experience clinical malnutrition.  Depending on the severity of your substance use disorder, there can be times when your body is no longer able to process and absorb any nutrients coming into your body. 

When your body experiences malnutrition, it can pose a risk to your physical health including organ functioning and physical capacity for movement. Many find that they experience higher levels of fatigue, fainting, or disorientation. Research has shown that lack of proper nutrition has significant impacts on mental health functioning leading to increased risks for depression, anxiety, or panic attacks. 

The Power of Nutritional Therapy in Substance Abuse Treatment

Nutritional therapy is focused on supporting you to regain your brain and body health to a natural biochemical balance.  Your dietary regime will be adjusted to meet your individual needs and support you in replenishing your body with the needed vitamins and nutrients for healthy overall functioning and wellness. 

Drug and alcohol use can have negative impacts on your gastrointestinal system. Many people living with addiction find that they experience unpleasant side effects of diarrhea, constipation, stomach cramping, lack of appetite, or inability to properly digest food. Nutritional therapy focuses on giving a person in recovery foods that are high in nutrients and vitamins that help to repair any damage done to the gastrointestinal system along with aiding in restoring organs to healthy functioning. 

Many people using substances experience a surge in their dopamine levels from substance use. This artificial increase in “feel good” emotions and sensations become a feeling that substance users chase. When you quit using substances, the levels of dopamine being produced are dramatically reduced which can be a trigger for relapse behaviors. A diet that includes high levels of protein and amino acids helps to increase dopamine levels and reduce strong urges for substance use. 

A healthy diet regime has been proven to be an effective method for relapse prevention. If you’re hungry or not providing your body with the proper nourishment, you can experience hunger pangs which can often be confusing for how to read your body and can be mistaken for cravings for drugs or alcohol. There are also risks of increased alcohol cravings if your blood sugar levels are low. A balanced diet can help to maintain your blood sugar levels alleviating the onset of alcohol cravings. 

WhiteSands Orlando: Pioneering a Wellness-Centered Approach

WhiteSands places a focus on wellness-centered healing that supports healing from addiction and gaining the skills for long-term recovery through natural, holistic approaches. Our goal is to help you incorporate nutritional therapy and a healthy daily routine that promotes positive health and mental health functioning. 

Your addiction treatment program with WhiteSands will include a variety of holistic and wellness addiction treatment methods that help you connect with yourself – thoughts, emotions, and interests that help you heal from your past of addiction and gain the tools for living a healthy, positive lifestyle that fosters long-term recovery. WhiteSands offers the following forms of wellness-centered healing:  

• Nutritional therapy 
• Biofeedback 
• Exercise 
• Yoga 
• Meditation 
• Art therapy 
• Chiropractic care 
• Energy medicine 
• Homeopathy
• Naturopathy 
• Faith-based recovery tools 

Cultivating Healthy Eating Habits for Recovery

Throughout your treatment program at WhiteSands, our team will work with you to develop the skills and habits needed to maintain long-term sobriety. A key piece to your success in addiction recovery is learning how to incorporate healthy eating habits into your daily routine. While residing in our recovery center, patients are provided with a healthy, balanced diet prepared by our onsite kitchen and top-rated chefs. Meals Prepared focus on giving patients a balanced diet of healthy, natural foods that replenish and nourish their body with essential vitamins and minerals to promote healthy functioning and recovery physically and psychologically. 

Our team will work with you to explore eating habits that will work with your lifestyle. Our experienced and knowledgeable team provides educational sessions that assist you in learning how certain foods fuel your body and promote positive mental health functioning. We’ll support you in establishing go-to meals and snacks that properly nourish your body and increase your brain functioning which works to improve your overall mental health functioning. 

A healthy diet regime has been proven to be an effective method for relapse prevention. If you’re hungry or not providing your body with the proper nourishment, you can experience hunger pangs which can often be confusing for how to read your body and can be mistaken for cravings for drugs or alcohol. There are also risks of increased alcohol cravings if your blood sugar levels are low. A balanced diet can help to maintain your blood sugar levels alleviating the onset of alcohol cravings. 

Wellness Beyond Treatment: Lifelong Sobriety Through a Healthy Lifestyle

During an addiction treatment program, you have the ongoing support of addiction therapists and clinicians that provide you with a structured daily schedule that promotes health, wellness, and sobriety. Rehab gives you the foundations that you need to maintain long-term recovery. We aim to provide you with the education, tools, and experience forming new habits so that you can maintain a balanced lifestyle that promotes long-term recovery. 

Patients in addiction treatment will learn how to engage in healthy eating habits and how to plan healthy meal plans that fuel their bodies and increase their mental health and stamina. Our team will teach you about nutritional health so that you can make informed decisions when you complete treatment about the foods you incorporate into your daily diet. 

Our wellness approaches teach patients about various self-care practices that can be utilized when they transition home from rehab. Patients that continue with specific aftercare plans of exercise, meditation, holistic practices, and mindfulness practices find that they are better equipped to manage stress or triggers. Self-care activities allow you to regulate your emotions, process stressors, and become inspired to find new hobbies or interests that bring fulfillment and happiness in your everyday life. Patients that commit to a healthy after-treatment regime have high levels of success in abstaining from substance use and flourish in a life of recovery. Call WhiteSands Treatment at 877-640-7820 to make an appointment. 

Common Questions About Nutrition and Wellness in Addiction Recovery

How does nutrition affect the addiction recovery process?

Proper nutrition increases the brain’s neuroplasticity. The right diet can increase serotonin and dopamine levels that were once satisfied through substance use. A healthy diet helps to reduce cravings, stabilize mental health functioning, and restore your physical health. 

Can a healthy diet help with managing cravings?

Yes. A balanced diet that includes essential food groups, nutrients, and vitamins assists in reducing cravings for drugs or alcohol. Certain foods help to replenish dopamine and serotonin levels along with addressing nutritional deficiencies and improving sleep quality. Malnutrition and lack of sleep can increase cravings for drugs or alcohol which is why satisfying your hunger and nourishing your body helps to promote health and wellbeing that prevents unnecessary cravings for substances. 

What are some specific nutritional guidelines for individuals in recovery?

Anyone in addiction recovery should focus on eating foods that fuel and nourish your body and mind. This includes reducing foods that are high in fats or sodium, avoiding caffeine or sugar, increasing protein intake, incorporating complex carbohydrates into your diet, increasing fiber intake, and taking vitamin and mineral supplements. 

How does White Sands Orlando integrate nutrition into their recovery programs?

Each patient in the WhiteSands recovery program is provided with a life skills coach that gives patients guidance on developing a healthy lifestyle routine. This includes developing a healthy eating plan while in treatment and after you transition home. You’ll learn about food groups and options that are healthy and beneficial for your health and wellness so that you can create a healthy meal plan and eating habits. 

Why is hydration important in addiction recovery?

Drinking water has several benefits for addiction recovery. When you’re using drugs and alcohol, it can cause your body to become dehydrated. Drinking water will rehydrate your body along with flushing out any toxins from drugs or alcohol from your body. Water also has significant benefits of improving your mood or mental health state and reducing any cravings. 

How does substance abuse affect one’s nutritional status?

Substance use can reduce vitamin and nutrient absorbance which can result in nutritional deficiencies. These deficiencies can have negative impacts on your physical and mental health including lowered mood, instability in mental health disorders, damage to vital organs, and weaken your immune system. 

Are there certain foods to avoid during addiction recovery?

People in addiction recovery should avoid high-calorie foods, refined sugars, or caffeine. These foods can impact blood sugar levels resulting in drug or alcohol cravings. Foods with additives and preservatives should be avoided for you to consume whole, natural foods enriched with vitamins and nutrients. 

How can I maintain healthy eating habits after leaving the treatment center?

An essential part of living in addiction recovery is establishing a healthy routine and planning ahead. Maintaining healthy eating habits requires the same. Have planned meal times, and complete meal prep for the week ahead so that choosing healthy options is simple and easy. During treatment, consult with your life skills guide about any questions you have, find foods that interest you and intrigue your hunger, and get your family and friends engaged in healthy habits so that you have support in this new lifestyle venture. 

What role do vitamins and supplements play in addiction recovery?

Vitamins and supplements restore any nutritional deficiencies that you have as a result of your addiction. Restoring your body of these essential vitamins and minerals helps to heal damaged organs, increase your immunity levels, stabilize mental health functioning, increase sleep quality, and enhance energy and focus. 

How does a balanced diet contribute to mental health during recovery?

Eating certain foods within a balanced diet helps to increase and stabilize mental health functioning. Mood imbalances will be stabilized, increase alertness and focus, reduce stress, promote psychological healing, and allow for clear thinking and reasoning. 

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.