As you learn to embrace sobriety, a healthy diet should be a priority in your life. When planning your diet both in rehabilitation as well as when you are living independently, keep these tips for a sober diet in mind. A healthy diet is important for everything from maintaining a normal weight to preventing elevated risks of things like stroke and heart disease. Significant scientific research goes into determining the effects of different foods on the human body, with general conclusions pointing to natural whole foods as the best option. For those hoping to maintain health in sobriety, particularly after months or years of abusive behavior, eating right is an essential part of the equation. Hydration is another critical aspect of detox that dietitians oversee.

• A full-body detox is part of regular organ function, with the body naturally eliminating harmful substances through the kidneys, liver, digestive system, skin, and lungs.
• Verify your insurance benefits with The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health.
• Each of these factors affects the type of diet that’s realistic for people after they leave treatment.
• Some long-term users may be overweight and need to cut back on fat, sugar, and total calories.

What Does it Mean to Detox From Drugs and Alcohol?

If there are any concerns about content we have published, please reach out to us at In a perfect world, a good diet could prevent relapse, but this unfortunately isn’t true. There’s no one way to prevent relapse and, sadly, around 40 to 60 percent of recovering substance users will relapse at least once before finally getting clean.

Substance use recovery and diet

The assessment begins with weight, but dietitians also evaluate heart rate, cholesterol levels and other nutritional levels. They also make sure the person hasn’t turned to food as a coping mechanism. Dietitians try to start rehab clients on a healthy diet as soon as possible, but withdrawal complicates most meal plans. It’s important to understand that to some degree, taking vitamins is a personal process. The medical professionals overseeing your treatment can help you identify which supplements are ideal for your drug or alcohol detox diet.

Coping with Cravings

Increasing your intake of potassium-rich foods — which counterbalance some of sodium’s effects — also helps. Foods rich in potassium include potatoes, squash, kidney beans, bananas, and spinach (51). Consequently, this unhealthy shift in bacteria can weaken your immune and detoxification systems and increase your risk of disease and inflammation (46). Gut health is important for keeping your detoxification system healthy. Your intestinal cells have a detoxification and excretion system that protects your gut and body from harmful toxins, such as chemicals (40).

• Users may start out taking pain pills to address pain from an accident or injury while still maintaining a normal life or drinking socially with friends.
• This Dr. Axe content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure factually accurate information.
• A person struggling with a substance will often not focus on the healthfulness of their diet, leading to nutritional problems before detox and recovery even begin.
• A safe and comfortable detox process helps people continue to follow the path of recovery.
• Dietitians monitor weight closely because it’s dangerous to gain weight too fast.
• This may include ongoing therapy, support group participation, sober living arrangements, and relapse prevention strategies tailored to your unique needs.

However, gaining insight into the detox process can be a critical step toward progress. Adopting a holistic approach to wellness can significantly enhance your recovery journey. Incorporate regular exercise, a nutritious diet, exercises such as squats, stress management techniques, and enjoyable hobbies or activities drug detox into your daily routine. A balanced lifestyle can boost your physical and mental well-being, reducing the risk of relapse. Your kidneys filter your blood and remove wastes and toxins, including byproducts of metabolism, toxins made water soluble by the liver, and industrial toxins, such as heavy metals.

Low-Fat Proteins

Do You Need Supplements?

Diet Tips to Help During Drug Detox