nutrition and substance abuse
Nutrition and Substance Abuse Recovery
Drug addiction and alcoholism represent a major health problem in the US. Chemical dependency is associated with malnutrition, and there is increasing evidence to suggest that nutrition can play an important role in recovery. The present study measured attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors towards nutrition, health, and self-care in the U.S. population. Using anonymous surveys, individuals with a self-reported history of substance abuse were compared to individuals without a history of abuse. The study found that depression leads to overeating for individuals recovering from substance abuse. Other findings that approached significance suggest that persistence of bad habits in this population is not due to an absence of desire for a better life, but more likely due to the impact of addiction on the brain. Disordered and dysfunctional eating behaviors persist even after abstinence has been achieved. The study confirms that self-efficacy is a useful predictor of positive change in beliefs. The evidence provided supports the need for greater levels of nutritional care among individuals with a history of drug addiction and/or alcoholism. The impact of nutrition interventions by trained dietitians in substance abuse treatment settings warrants further investigation for this reason.
Substance abuse harms the body in two ways:
1. The substance itself affects the body
2. It causes negative lifestyle changes, such as irregular eating and poor diet
Recovery from substance abuse also affects the body in other ways, including metabolism (processing energy), organ function, and mental well-being. Proper nutrition may help the healing process. Nutrients supply the body with energy. They provide substances to build and maintain healthy organs and fight off infection.
The impact of different drugs on nutrition is described below:
Opiates (including codeine, oxycontin, heroin, and morphine) affect the gastrointestinal system.
Drug addiction and alcoholism represent a major health problem in the US. Chemical dependency is associated with malnutrition, and there is increasing evidence to suggest that nutrition can play an important role in recovery. The present study measured attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors towards nutrition, health, and self-care in the U.S. population. Using anonymous surveys, individuals with a self-reported history of substance abuse were compared to individuals without a history of abuse. The study found that depression leads to overeating for individuals recovering from substance abuse. Other findings that approached significance suggest that persistence of bad habits in this population is not due to an absence of desire for a better life, but more likely due to the impact of addiction on the brain. Disordered and dysfunctional eating behaviors persist even after abstinence has been achieved. The study confirms that self-efficacy is a useful predictor of positive change in beliefs. The evidence provided supports the need for greater levels of nutritional care among individuals with a history of drug addiction and/or alcoholism. The impact of nutrition interventions by trained dietitians in substance abuse treatment settings warrants further investigation for this reason.
Substance abuse harms the body in two ways:
1. The substance itself affects the body
2. It causes negative lifestyle changes, such as irregular eating and poor diet
Recovery from substance abuse also affects the body in other ways, including metabolism (processing energy), organ function, and mental well-being. Proper nutrition may help the healing process. Nutrients supply the body with energy. They provide substances to build and maintain healthy organs and fight off infection.
The impact of different drugs on nutrition is described below:
Opiates (including codeine, oxycontin, heroin, and morphine) affect the gastrointestinal system.