Nutrition and Addiction

The World Health Organization defines nutrition as ‘a critical part of health and development.’ Nutrition is about much more than what we choose to eat each day. It is about how we feed and nurture our bodies, how we support our immune systems, stave off disease and promote a safer way of living. Malnutrition can take several forms. It could look like:

• Undernutrition (including starvation and muscle wasting)
• Deficiency (lack of key vitamins and minerals)
• Obesity

Poor nutrition has the potential to undermine our physical and mental health, leading to:

• Reduced concentration
• Craving sugary or starchy foods
• Anaemia
• Weekend immune system
• Anxiety
• Changeable mood
• Changes in the senses
• Lack of appetite
• Increased appetite
• Severe weight loss
• Severe weight gain
• Cardiovascular health
• Increased risk of communicable disease
• High cholesterol
• Unstable blood pressure
• Fainting
• Difficulty sleeping
• Lethargy
• Headaches
• Brittle bones
• Breathlessness

Eating too much or too little can be dangerous. But nutrition is not only about the amounts of food we eat but also about the types of food we incorporate into our diet.

A balanced diet includes a range of several types of food. These food types are:

• Carbohydrates
• Proteins
• Fat and sugary foods
• Fibre
• Fruit and vegetables
• Dairy

According to the NHS, ‘most people in the UK eat and drink too many calories.’ It also suggests that the average UK citizen does not have a balanced diet, tending towards too much fat, sugar and salt and not enough fruit, vegetables and fibre. This can lead to lethargy, intense cravings and blood pressure issues. This type of diet can leave us feeling low on fuel, meaning we rely on substances like cigarettes, coffee and alcohol (or other drugs) to help us find the energy to get through the day.

Nutrition hindering addiction recovery

Poor nutrition can actively hinder recovery. This could take many forms, such as:

• feeling weak and needing substances as a ‘boost’
• convenience foods leading to peaks and troughs in energy
• tiredness
• low mood
• anxiety
• slipping into cycles of self-neglect
• inability to focus
• difficulty controlling cravings
• eating ‘trigger’ foods (foods related to previous substance use)
• developing aches and pains
• feeling
• generally unwell

All of these symptoms are likely to leave us feeling lethargic and low in motivation. They can make us feel sluggish and sleepy, depressed and struggling to find a reason to maintain our recovery goals. When we feel unwell – as we typically do when poorly nourished – we seek quick fixes. This means that poor eating habits can leave us depleted, ultimately leading us back to our addictive substance. Some people may find fluctuations in weight due to poor nourishment to trigger addictive behaviour. For example, women are more likely to relapse following weight gain.

Nutrition boosting addiction recovery

The palpable connection between addiction and nutrition is not necessarily negative. It can also be used to bolster recovery. For example:

• integrating a routine
• practising self-care through eating
• improving focus
• improving sleep
• reducing cravings
• increasing mood
• reduced pain
• offering opportunities for socialising
• boosted immune system

Nutrition is a vast and fascinating concept. But it can also be overwhelming. To implement good nutrition practices early on, it is helpful to integrate small, key steps, such as:

• integrate mealtimes
• meal plan where possible
• avoid caffeine
• avoid sugar
• avoid (or reduce alcohol intake)
• use supplements
• be mindful of vitamin deficiency
• eat whole grains and fibre
• avoid fast and convenience foods
• eat 5 portions of fruit and veg a day

At UKAT London Clinic, we offer the opportunity to reshape your relationship with food as part of your treatment programme, Which includes insight into nutritional health and how specific eating habits can boost and deplete our physical and mental health. Whilst at the clinic, you will have the opportunity to put this knowledge into practice. However, good nutrition is not only a rehab treatment but a lifestyle change. We aim to offer resources for you to tackle your nutritional wellbeing post-rehab with confidence and vigour, catalysing a long-term change to carry you through recovery.

Reach out to us today for a complimentary consultation. We’re here to listen to your struggles and understand your needs, ensuring we find the best treatment tailored for you. Addiction can feel overwhelming, but we’re dedicated to lightening that burden and guiding you every step of the way toward a brighter, addiction-free future.