Most insurance plans will cover either all or a portion of the treatment.
Content Reviewed By:
SUD treatment executive, national news contributor & keynote speaker.
Navigation:
- Overview
- What Is Nutrition Therapy Like In Drug Rehab?
- Benefits of Nutrition Therapy in Drug Rehab
- Find Rehabs That Offers Nutritional Therapy
Overview
Proper diet and nutrition are crucial to recovery from substance use disorder. Although it may seem secondary to other clinical modalities, what you eat and drink can dramatically influence your energy levels, mood, severity of withdrawal symptoms and other factors that you will need to control as you get and stay clean.
The physiological effects of your diet can directly impact how you embrace and sustain recovery, so it’s important to get the proper guidance in your treatment program. In an effort to set patients up for success in their long-term recovery, many drug rehabs are now offering nutritional therapy and dietary counseling as part of their holistic treatment offerings.
What Is Nutrition Therapy Like In Drug Rehab?
While each treatment center’s exact practices may differ, the idea of nutrition therapy is to help patients understand the role that proper diet plays in their recovery in context with their overall health and to help develop and stick to appropriate nutritional habits going forward. Patients get help from licensed nutritional therapists who are educated on the physical rigors of addiction and the power of food to either offer relief from them or make them worse. Many treatment centers have their own nutritionist and nutritional therapist on staff.
Some of the core elements of this therapy include:
- Assessing your current overall health and nutritional habits and needs
- Education and guidance on which foods can worsen withdrawal symptoms and existing health issues related to substance use
Insights on how certain foods can trigger cravings that mirror those of drugs or alcohol - Developing a personalized nutritional plan for post-treatment recovery
Patients may also receive education on how to cook healthy, choose the right food items at the grocery store, and prioritize food choices that can aid mental health. Sessions will vary in length and format, and patients may be referred for additional nutritional therapy after their program concludes.
Benefits of Nutrition Therapy in Drug Rehab
Many people struggle with nutrition even when they haven’t been impacted by substance use disorder. The journey of addiction very quickly causes people to neglect their diet and their overall physical health.
In the context of treatment and recovery, nutritional therapy can help:
- Alleviate or reduce physical withdrawal symptoms
- Improve and balance mood
- Reduce cravings that can lead to relapse
- Increase energy and strength
- Promote fitness and an overall healthy lifestyle
- Empower patients to be more active and educated about how their diet impacts their recovery
Find Rehabs That Offers Nutritional Therapy
The quickest way to find a drug rehab that offers nutritional therapy is to use our directory. Some treatment centers may not directly provide nutritional therapy but partner with a facility that does. Others may offer a scaled-back version as part of their overall medical services. Even if you’re unable to find a facility that provides nutritional therapy, you can work with their clinical staff or your doctor to get guidance, education, and support.
