Nutrition Program for Addiction
Recovery
Nutrition Education and Support in Recovery
During substance abuse recovery, the emphasis is typically on what people are no longer putting into their bodies. While abstaining from substance abuse is the priority, what people are putting into their bodies also matters. Many people in substance abuse recovery have poor eating habits and serious nutritional deficiencies, which can severely impact their overall health. Since nutrition and addiction recovery are so closely related, nutrition education and support are key components of our addiction treatment at Silver Pines.
As part of our nutritional therapy, we help clients connect the dots between disease, addiction, and malnourishment. Addiction is a disease of the brain that has physiological and psychological manifestations, so healing involves making conscious changes in the way you feed your body. Moreover, supplying healthy nutrients prevents physical problems; however, the benefits go even further.
Correcting Nutritional Deficiencies Caused By Substance Abuse
Individuals struggling with addiction for an extended period often don’t have a balanced and nutritious diet and have poor eating habits. Additionally, certain substances can leach vitamins and minerals from the body. All of this means that most people with substance use disorder entering recovery are lacking essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
To put our clients on the path to nutritional wellness, we serve delicious meals rich in essential nutrients meals every day, paying special attention to the dietary needs and preferences of each client. Our executive chef specifically designs the menu to ensure each client gets the proper nutrition they need to be healthy. Food can be one of the best ways to improve health, and an anti-inflammatory diet can even speed up the recovery process.
Because nutrition and addiction recovery are so closely related, during treatment, clients are educated on which foods are key to their overall health. We help each client develop healthy eating habits. And our executive chef prepares foods for them that meets all their nutritional needs. Further into recovery, clients start to participate and learn how they can maintain proper nutrition and healthy eating habits beyond treatment.
Meet Our Executive Chef: Andreana Ferrari, BC, Certified Nutrition Coach
Goals for Nutrition While In Recovery
It’s normal for weight to fluctuate during addiction recovery. Many people arrive at treatment malnourished and underfed, often because food isn’t a priority when they were under the influence of drugs or alcohol. For these individuals, gaining weight by eating balanced meals is normal and expected.
While some individuals gain weight during recovery, others may lose weight. For example, an individual with an alcohol addiction might suddenly have more energy to be active since alcohol is a depressant, which can lead to weight loss. Focusing on nutrition for recovering alcoholics and recovering addicts is vital. And whether individuals need to gain or lose weight for optimal health, proper nutrition and eating balanced meals certainly plays a vital role.
What Is Nutrition Education?
In treatment at Silver Pines , having access to nutritious food is a definite benefit, however, clients won’t have this ongoing, 24/7 nutritional support for their entire lives. That’s why food preparation education is a vital component of our nutrition programming.
The nutrition education component of treatment at Silver Pines focuses on fostering food security and skill building that includes food preparation, interactive cooking groups, and individual coaching. We have “Around the World Wednesdays” where we highlight international comfort food for our clients. We also have a “Guest Chef Series” during which clients work with our kitchen staff to cook a meal or a snack for the entire facility.
What Our Alumni Are Saying
I mean, I can’t say enough about how they make sure the food is exactly what you want, and they also make sure to substitute if it’s something you don’t like.
Amazing counselors, services, and unique program content including nutrition education, holistic therapy, art therapy, and more. I would highly recommend for anyone considering treatment!
Great program, good community, respectful people, and great food.
The kitchen staff are very helpful with people with special diets or picky eaters (like me).
I loved the whole approach to mind, body and spirit. From healthy meal plans, yoga, meditations, and so much more.
My experience, the staff, and the food were all great. They work one on one with you. I got my weight up and learned a lot about my disease and who I am.
The Connection Between Hunger and Relapse
Benefits of Nutritional Therapy During Addiction Treatment
Supplementing Nutrition Education at Silver Pines
- Addiction counseling
- Family therapy
- Individual therapy
- Trauma therapy
- Wilderness therapy
- Yoga therapy