The Opioid Detox Diet: 7 Foods That Ease Withdrawals

Eating balanced meals may make these symptoms less severe (however, eating can be difficult, due to nausea). A high-fiber diet with plenty of complex carbohydrates (such as whole grains, vegetables, peas, and drug detox beans) is recommended. They provide substances to build and maintain healthy organs and fight off infection. People may experience physical, behavioral, and cognitive symptoms when discontinuing substances.

Detoxing From Drugs & Alcohol at the Same Time

• Studies show that eating more nuts is linked to a lower risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease as well as enhanced liver enzyme levels to maximize your body’s detoxifying potential.
• Making sure that you’re taking care of yourself and setting your body up for success is crucial.
• If you’ve ever found yourself licking the salt off your fingers after you finish a bag of potato chips, you know how satisfying salt can be.
• Luckily, following a detox diet for weight loss and better health can be as simple as making a few simple swaps in your diet.
• Learn how to have a balanced and nutritious diet during detox to maximize your health, including, what foods to eat and how to deal with cravings.

Not surprisingly, chia seeds may also aid in detoxification as well. They pack in tons of fiber, which can help keep things moving through the digestive system, allowing waste products to be excreted efficiently. Plus, they’re high in antioxidants to fight off free radicals and protect your liver against damage and disease. Not only are they vibrant and full of color, but they’re also high in an array of vitamins, minerals and micronutrients that can boost detoxification. One animal study found that drinking beetroot juice regularly helped increase the levels of several key enzymes involved in detoxification.

Develop a Comprehensive Aftercare Plan

Does your skin break out when you’re eating poorly, stressed out or not sleeping enough? Does it seem like your hair’s thinning and that your overall “glow” is gone? These signs may indicate that you’re dealing with low nutrient levels and/or hormonal issues.

Are you or a loved one struggling with addiction?

• Frequently touted as a superfood, chia seed benefits range from enhanced digestion to better blood sugar control.
• For this reason, without proper nutrition, a person might be tempted back into substance use.
• How to detox your body involves eating nutritious foods, consuming healthy drinks, avoiding irritants and pollutants, and supplementing to support your digestive, immune and nervous systems.

In addition to these, dark, leafy greens and other vegetables will supply essential nutrients that support homeostasis and well-being from the inside out. These chemicals help the body repair itself at a molecular level, strengthen muscles, and create essential hormones. Eating varied kinds of protein can help individuals recover physically and mentally from addiction.

Marijuana smokers are notorious for “having the munchies” and binge eating. The development of a nutritional plan for those in recovery involves planning out meals and determining an appropriate meal schedule that meshes with other activities in the treatment plan. People who abuse alcohol typically do not pay attention to nutrition. Even those who were formerly healthy tend to let their good eating habits go as they become more consumed with the need to find and drink alcohol.

In addition to lots of water, try electrolyte-packed beverages such as Gatorade and coconut water as well, especially if you’ve been vomiting. If you’re able to make an investment, consider getting a juicer and plenty of fruits and vegetables to start getting vitamins back in your system while you hydrate. Alcoholism usually causes deficiencies in vitamin B6, thiamine and folic acid.

• As such, incorporating comprehensive nutrition education and practices into treatment plans can be a beneficial strategy for enhancing the effectiveness of drug detoxification.
• Eating a diet rich in prebiotics keeps your digestive system healthy, which is important for proper detoxification and immune health.
• Sugar can also provide a dopamine release, which can feel especially satisfying for someone already craving the dopamine burst alcohol provides.
• The dietitian is involved in a person’s treatment program from the moment he or she walks into rehab.
• Some people choose to detox at home or outside of a supervised treatment center.
• Staying hydrated is crucial during detox as it helps flush out toxins and replenish fluids lost through excessive sweating and vomiting, common withdrawal symptoms.

Dark green, leafy vegetables

Laboratory tests for protein, iron, and electrolytes may be needed to determine if there is liver disease in addition to the alcohol problem. Women who drink heavily are at high risk of osteoporosis and may need to take calcium supplements. Withdrawal treatment depends on the substance used, the severity of the symptoms, and the needs of the person going through withdrawal. Alcohol can disrupt the gut microbiota and promote an overgrowth of “bad” bacteria⁠. When you cut out alcohol, your gut works to regain its natural balance, which can improve digestion, absorption of nutrients, and serotonin production.

You can get your mood, motivation and ability to focus back on track by supporting your gut and obtaining plenty of detoxifying foods and supplements. The primary purpose of a detox is to remove toxins from the body that are doing harm, but the scientific literature does not show that most detox cleanses accomplish this. A “detox diet” may be considered an intense cleansing diet that consists of drinking specific concoctions for many days or weeks to clear out toxins and achieve weight loss. Be aware that the term “detox cleanse” can also be a marketing ploy used to shill expensive and overpriced products to health-conscious consumers. If you’ve been feeling sluggish, moody, bloated, or more run down than usual lately, you can likely benefit from a detox. How to detox your body involves eating nutritious foods, consuming healthy drinks, avoiding irritants and pollutants, and supplementing to support your digestive, immune and nervous systems.

What Medications are Used in Drug Detox?

Sugar has an effect on the brain’s dopamine levels, triggering the reward center of the brain. Addictive drugs like opioids or stimulants also trigger the brain’s reward center, so the body may crave sugar for a fast dopamine release during early recovery. If possible, try to avoid foods that are highly processed or low on nutrients. Whole grains, protein, and generally nutrient-rich foods are the best foods for alcohol detox. Poor diet and dehydration during alcohol detox can contribute to existing nutritional deficiencies and potentially increase the risk for severe, withdrawal-related complications. Blunt Therapy is your source for tips, articles, and advice about the mental health topics that matter to you, from a licensed therapist who’s been there.