Addiction has wide-ranging effects on your mental and physical health. For many people, nutritional problems are a significant concern. These problems not only rob your body of life-sustaining nutrients, but they also increase your risks for certain serious mental health issues. For these reasons, a Nutrient guide for an eating disorder may form an essential part of your addiction treatment plan.
At Women’s Recovery, we’re well aware of how nutritional issues can complicate women’s addiction treatment. That’s why we include a customized nutrient therapy program among our many offerings. This program will support your return to nutritional wellness. In doing so, it also supports your mental and physical addiction recovery goals. Find out how you may begin the road to recovery by calling 833.754.0554.
The Link Between Nutrition and Addiction
Research clearly shows that drug and alcohol problems can lead to serious nutritional deficiencies. In time, these deficiencies may result in clinical malnutrition. Experts use this term to describe nutrient shortages that substantially damage your health.
In some cases, a substance problem may have a direct impact on your ability to process nutrients. It may also have other direct, nutrition-related effects on the function of your body. However, the impact is often secondary. For example, you may:
- Forget to eat
- Experience a decline in your normal appetite
- Start eating less healthy foods
- Fail to include healthy eating in your personal priorities
In addition, major nutrition problems may contribute to your mental health risks. Those risks include depression as well as anxiety disorders.
Specific Concerns for Women’s Nutrition
As a rule, women have a higher risk for nutritional problems than men. Some of that risk is biological, especially for pregnant women. However, much of it is societal. Society tends to place a heavier burden on women in this area. That burden often creates unrealistic expectations for:
- Women’s appearance in general
- Acceptable weight ranges for women
- How women should behave around food
The result is not only increased odds for developing an eating disorder. The added pressure also contributes to depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses. In addition, it may increase women’s exposure to specific substance abuse problems.
What Is a Nutrient Therapy Program?
A nutrient therapy program addresses the link between nutrition and addiction. A well-designed program will operate under the guidance of a certified nutrition therapist. It will also offer a range of customized treatment options, including personalized eating plans and the use of appropriate nutritional supplements.
How Does a Nutrient Therapy Program Help?
The right nutrient therapy plan benefits you in several ways. First, it helps undo the physical effects of prolonged poor eating. The result is often an improvement in your physical function. You can also prevent some physical issues from ever occurring.
In addition, nutrient therapy may help your brain work more efficiently. In turn, it can lead to improvements in your mental health. These improvements may reduce your risks for mental illness. They also support recovery from any existing mental health problems.
A program designed for women is often crucial. This kind of program can focus tightly on common women’s nutrition issues. For many, such a focus promotes an effective return to wellness.
Ask Women’s Recovery for More on the Ties Between Nutrition and Addiction
Want more information on how addiction affects your nutritional status? Just talk to the experts at Women’s Recovery. We understand the ties between nutrition and addiction. No matter your concerns, we’ll help you gain a better perspective.
Women’s Recovery also offers a comprehensive nutrient therapy program. At every step, this program takes women’s nutrition needs into account. That’s true regardless of the substance problem affecting you or if you are struggling with an additional mental illness. To learn more, call us today at 833.754.0554 or reach out through our online form.
