A Holistic Approach to Health in the Early Phase of Addiction Recovery
Overcoming addiction is never easy. There are many aspects that make recovery difficult, but getting your health in-check is one of the primary objectives you should have. Considering how many toxins your body has assimilated during your period of alcohol or substance abuse, it’s now time to pursue complete detoxification, and adopt a holistic lifestyle aimed to provide you with healing.
During the early phase of your recovery, you should be well-aware of the things you need to do. Having from the start a few important considerations in mind will allow you to maintain your rehabilitation journey effective.
But what should you know on the subject? What are the key points of a holistic approach to health during recovery?
Here are the most important things to remember:
Consider joining a rehab program for starters
Even if you want to battle your addictive tendencies natural, when this issue has reached a severe state, being guided by professionals will be necessary. Joining a rehab program is advised, regardless of your current state. There are facilities that provide you with holistic treatment plans, so if you want to stay away from medications, and achieve sobriety naturally, you’ll be able to find a rehab facility that makes this possible. You can also opt for an outbound healthcare plan, if you’re skeptical to actually choose an inbound treatment option. Look for UK rehab cost information, find the various facilities available and choose the option that suits best your needs and expectations.
Correct nutritional deficiencies
Appropriate nutrition can help you fight your cravings more successfully, will allow you to rebalance your health faster and will contribute to how well you’ll actually cope with your rehabilitation process. If you’ve been an alcohol addict, you are likely to be deficient in several important nutrients, such as protein or zinc. This is why you need to start your journey with an adequate meal plan that includes all the nutrients and vitamins you need to become healthier.
Start consuming the right foods and reap the benefits of eating whole foods, a few examples being whole grains, dairy products, lots of vegetable and nuts. A well-rounded diet will help you overcome the repercussions of malnutrition. Keep in mind that zinc deficiency, for example, has often been liked to apathy, depression, irritability and confusion, none of which will be helpful in addiction recovery, but on the contrary, make the struggle that more difficult to bare.
Stay away from junk food
One mistake many recovering addicts tend to make is replacing drugs or alcohol with “tasty meals”, which mostly consist of junk food. You can easily develop other health problems if you start consuming unhealthy dishes on the regular. Eating junk food can make you feel more depressed and will negatively impact your entire rehabilitation process.
Because we’re talking here about a holistic recovery approach, you should eliminate any processed, unhealthy meals from your diet, and focus on all-natural, organic produce and foods instead. Although eating a burger or a pizza might provide you with momentary relief and a feel-good sensation, if you consider the bigger picture, it will only delay or complicate your rehabilitation.
Find ways to naturally trigger the release of dopamine
While until now you might have used the wrong mechanism of triggering the release of dopamine, such as drinking, substance abuse or even exaggerating with sugary treats, it’s time to find balance here, and discover the ways in which you can experience “dopamine bursts”.
High protein eating habits are a great example here, having an effect on increasing the dopamine receptors in your brain. But there are other practices that promote the release of dopamine, ones that aren’t linked to your dietary choices. Yoga, meditation, acupuncture or music therapy can support dopamine function, and help you trigger those feel-good chemicals in your brain. Give these a try, and find what works for you personally.
Take the right vitamins and supplements
Even if this might be something you’ve neglected until now, you need to acknowledge that getting all of your nutrients and vitamins your body needs from your diet alone might not be enough at the moment. When your health has been considerably affected by your harmful past-habits, you have to go the extra mile and help your body get back its strength.
Usually, specialists recommend people in your situation the following vitamins and supplements:
- amino acids,
- minerals,
- omega 3
- and vitamin B complex.
Of course, you should talk to your healthcare provider first, and ask for their specific advice here – you shouldn’t start taking supplements without consulting a professional.
Become physically active
Sports play a critical role in a generally healthy lifestyle, and during addiction rehabilitation, exercise can matter more than ever. Become physically active, and that means anything from going to the gym, to jogging or taking a spinning class. Find a type of workout you actually enjoy, and choose to practice it regularity. It will be more helpful than you’ve expected.
Implement healthy daily habit
A messy, negligent lifestyle is not the way to go here. You might have stopped drinking or using drugs, but are you actually living a healthy life? From the early phases of recovery you should implement healthy habits:
- Avoid cigarettes – these are not only unhealthy, containing carcinogens, but cigarettes are known to be common craving triggers.
- Maintain a positive state of mind – your health journey will be as difficult as you make it to be. Managing to stay calm and positive thoughts this stressful process will positively influence your wellness and health.
- Stick to a proper sleeping schedule – never miss your bedtime, and make sure you get at least 8 hours of sleep at night. This allows your body to perform properly and recover.
Drug or alcohol abuse can have a serious negative impact on your wellness and health. Once you decide to go sober, you will also need to make a few lifestyle changes, in order to keep yourself on track and obtain long-term healing. A holistic approach to health can be the ideal solution here. Look over these few recommendations, acknowledge their role in the early phases of recovery, and adopt the right practices. You will experience a more favorable rehabilitation journey, once you pursue these relevant tips.
