9 Best Foods to Eat When Detoxing From Alcohol

Although alcohol is more accessible than other drugs, it can certainly be just as damaging to the body (if not more so). Alcohol has lots of empty calories and the lack of nutrition that develops with prolonged alcohol use shows. Addiction Resource aims to provide only the most current, accurate information in regards to addiction and addiction treatment, which means we only reference the most credible sources available. Searching for tips on how to detox from alcohol safely is a common practice of people who are struggling with a drinking problem and their loved ones. Highly processed foods may not be able to offer the same nutrients as those that are less processed.

What Is Medical Detox?

• When a person feels better, they are less likely to start using alcohol and drugs again.
• These symptoms may lead to a lack of enough nutrients and an imbalance of electrolytes (such as sodium, potassium, and chloride).
• Food is something that a lot of us paid no attention to during active addiction.
• People going through withdrawal should avoid sugary drinks and fried or fatty foods.
• People experiencing addiction and going through substance withdrawal can benefit from the support of friends and family.

After stopping stimulants, it’s common to experience a strong spike in appetite — which may lead to overeating — that can overwhelm the weakened digestive system. An addiction to drugs or alcohol often comes on slow, starting as a complement to normal activities. Users may start out taking pain pills to address pain from an accident or injury while still maintaining a normal life or drinking socially with friends. Over time, the importance of substances comes to outweigh the importance of things like getting exercise and eating right. As addiction escalates, regular meals fall by the wayside, with home cooking and healthy choices replaced by fast food, soda and fattening snacks.

Comprehending the Drug Detoxification Process

In reality, detox is the first step in a long-term process and should be medically supervised. The duration of drug detox varies depending on the substance, the level of dependency, and the individual’s health. To sustain sobriety, it’s crucial to have a comprehensive aftercare plan in place. This may include ongoing therapy, support group participation, sober living arrangements, and relapse prevention strategies tailored to your unique needs. Many diets and supplements claim to ‘detoxify’ the body from these substances, but they are typically unsupported by research. A full-body detox is part of regular organ function, with the body naturally eliminating harmful substances through the kidneys, liver, digestive system, skin, and lungs.

Nutrition During Recovery

Various organs and organ systems help the body eliminate toxins from chemicals you may be exposed to at work, at home, through personal care products, or your food. Detox diets may increase stress, raise cortisol levels, and increase appetite. Additionally, no regulatory body drug detox reviews their efficacy and safety or approves such products. Some detox and cleanse products have even been found to contain illegal and potentially harmful ingredients. Detox diets are said to eliminate toxins, which supports improving health and promoting weight loss.

Reach out to a healthcare provider, such as a primary care practitioner, psychologist, or addiction specialist for support. The symptoms of withdrawal can be both physical and psychological, and range from mild to severe depending on the substance, the person, and the history of use. For example, delirium tremens is a severe, life-threatening symptom of alcohol withdrawal that involves tremors and disorientation.

• And for those who are vegetarian or simply not fond of seafood, alternatives include flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, and soybeans.
• Similar to vitamin B, zinc is another nutrient that can’t be adequately absorbed when a person consumes alcohol.
• It is for these reasons that experts warn about consuming unlimited quantities of sugar and instead recommend opting for a healthier diet.
• When it comes to getting in enough nutrients during the detox process, diet isn’t everything.

This is likely a positive sign since you may be underweight or in poor health. The difficulty is that many of the food cravings are for sugary substances, which are not necessarily the best choice. Certain foods may thwart the detox process by unnecessarily upsetting your stomach or dehydrating individuals who are experiencing moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms. Protein-rich foods such as lean meats, fish, eggs, yogurt, and tofu can help support the healthy function of various organs, including the liver, kidney, pancreas, and heart. Once symptoms begin to improve, individuals may be able to eat a wider variety of foods.

Join a Support Group

This creates a two-fold nutritional problem because even if someone does manage to eat healthfully and get all their nutrients, alcohol prevents them from being fully absorbed. Carbs are a big part of providing your body with energy, but it’s far easier to eat empty carbs than more nutritionally beneficial complex carbs. By first addressing the physical dependencies through detox, individuals may be better positioned to engage in and benefit from further treatment efforts aimed at long-term recovery. Some substances, such as alcohol and benzodiazepines, can cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms that can lead to hallucinations and seizures.

• Benzodiazepines are sometimes used in the short term and under close medical supervision to treat anxiety and similar symptoms for some people going through detox.
• That’s why comprehensive meal plans are key components of addiction treatment.
• The road to recovery begins with drug detox, a crucial first step that can be arduous and fraught with challenges.
• The positive effects of a healthy diet are usually apparent when it’s time to start therapy.