Drugs and alcohol can cause bodily harm to teens in a variety of different ways including through their diet. Substance abuse can take away your teen's appetite to eat creating malnutrition or causing them to have the munchies and eat everything in sight while they are under the influence. Whatever the case may be, addiction steals whatever nutrients are readily available to help the body to function as well as it can while drugs and alcohol are being abused. According to Kids Health, one in four addicts will be malnourished and half of them will be deficient of vitamins and iron.
When a teen goes to a rehabilitation facility, the staff will pay close attention to the teen's diet. A rehab will be concerned with a teenager's nutrition due to the profound effect healthy food has on a recovering body. A balanced diet can be instrumental in producing serotonin which can help a teen to naturally feel better and hopefully significantly reduce the likelihood of a relapse.
Teens who are recovering from an addiction can use to food to help to strengthen their body and promote better functionality all around. Healthy foods are the very thing that can help a growing adolescent body to start receiving the vitamins and nutrients their body needs to repair itself. The body can be very resilient especially with eating foods that can optimize mood regulation, restore tissues and organ capabilities, and rehydrate the body.
The best thing a teen in recovery can do is start with the basics when it comes to proper nutrition to ensure they will not become overwhelmed while they are trying to maintain sobriety. Trying to eat three nutritious meals a day along with healthy snacks can be instrumental in helping the body adjust to a balanced diet and regulate the functions of the body. Another beneficial piece that takes place during the intake of healthy nutrition is keeping the blood sugars steady to guide in the prevention of a relapse.
According to Today's Dietician,
Proper nutrition and hydration are key to the substance abuse healing process because they help restore physical and mental health and improve the chance of recovery. Macro- and micronutrient deficiencies can lead to symptoms of depression, anxiety, and low energy, all of which can lead someone to start using drugs or alcohol or trigger a relapse.
By ensuring that a teen is getting the nutrition that appropriate for them, they can be better focused on what their primary purpose is which is to stay sober. All the while, taking the proper considerations they need to have a thriving and healthy body can help them to feel better overall in their sobriety.
If your teenager has developed an addiction to drugs or alcohol, Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center understands the commitment your son requires in getting help. Our unique treatment was started by our family to aid other families in lifelong recovery lived.
Call our family today to get help for yours:
662-598-4214