subject: Why Rehab Centers Give Alcoholics And Addicts Healthy Diets [print this page] When alcoholics and junkies are taken to rehab centers to avail treatment for alcoholism and coke addiction, they usually show signs of malnutrition. Aside from the mental and psychological effects of alcoholism and drug addiction on alcohol dependents and drug addicts, malnutrition is another physical repercussion affecting alcoholics and drug addicts. They are afflicted with malnutrition because they forget to eat their meals in lieu of drugs and alcoholic drinks. It is detrimental to their health because it robs their bodies of vital vitamins and micronutrients such as vitamin C, B and E, thus their nutritional status are damaged.
Statistics
Research shows that approximately fourteen million Americans abused alcohol and drugs, wherein 1 in 13 American adults are either drug addicts or alcoholics. Researchers also found that liver cirrhosis is one of the main causes of mortalities in the U.S. and 3.6% of global cancer cases are attributed to alcohol and drugs. Figures also reveal that admission of alcoholics and junkies in psychiatric hospitals increased by twenty-five percent more since 1992.
Detrimental effects of alcohol on the body
Most often, nutritional deficiency and malnutrition in alcoholics and drug addicts become severe because drugs and alcoholic beverages deprive their bodies from vital nutrients and disrupt the important functions in their bodies such as zinc, potassium, calcium, magnesium and vitamins A, E, D and K, thus their cells weaken and become prone to diseases and infections.
Malnutrition leads to digestive problems, bad complexion, tooth decay, weight-related problems, fatigue, muscle aches, anemia, ulcers, fertility-related problems, gallstones, leaky gut, dehydration and menstruation-related problems as well.
Why sugar is prohibited in rehab clinics?
What do you think are the reasons why sugar is prohibited inside the rehab clinics? These substances are not allowed inside because it has the same addictive effects as drugs and alcohol. Sugar is avoided during alcoholism and crack abuse rehabilitation because they usually crave for sweets while they are recovering from alcoholism and drug addiction. If sugar is avoided in the first weeks of treatment, cravings for drugs and alcoholic drinks disappear, otherwise it can lead to relapse because their blood sugar level fluctuates as well.
Significance of nourishing diet to the health of alcoholics
Supplementary therapy and diet play huge role in their physical recovery. Their meals contain alkaline foods, vitamins, minerals and fluids to ease the initial symptoms of detoxification. To replenish lost and depleted nutrients, calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamin C and B complex are added in their diets, while L-glutamine is also incorporated to minimize their craving for drugs and alcoholic beverages.
To stabilize their sugar levels and cravings, doctors and dietitians make sure that the right kinds of foods are included in their dietary plans like leafy green vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lots of fluids. Drinking much water will help eliminate the toxins and traces of alcohol and drugs in their bodies and aid hydration as well.
Lastly, providing nutritious diets not only reduce the detrimental effects of alcoholism and drug addiction on their bodies but it also aids recovery, minimizes cravings and helps them achieve healthier and better lives.
