DIET

As a rehabilitation center for substance abuse/addiction, we are focused on providing recovery through a holistic approach. We look at nutrition and exercise as key factors that aid towards a complete recovery of the addicts/users we house here. At the center, we believe that proper nutrition and hydration are paramount to the substance abuse healing process, as these help restore physical and mental well being, thereby increasing the chances of recovery. Health practitioners in the rehabilitation center are aware of the various deficiencies that can accompany the symptoms of drug abuse, namely: depression, anxiety, social isolation, and low energy- all of which can lead someone to start re-using drugs or alcohol, or in other words, trigger a relapse.

It is assumed that clients who carry a history of drug abuse haven’t been practicing good nutrition. A result of negligence towards proper nutrition can either effect in malnourishment or obesity, in substance abuse addicts/users. At the center, not only do we value keeping a close eye on the kind of foods we offer, we also develop a habit of eating at regular times, in the recovering clients. We are aware that some kinds of substance abuse can create a disruptive metabolic cycle due to a suppression of appetite, and hence, make sure that the clients here get their daily nutritional values met.

Substance abuse can lead to various vitamin and mineral deficiencies that can lead to an abnormality in the functioning of various vital organs and the nervous system, resultantly decreasing immunity in addicts/users. To help a patient recover from the effects of substance abuse, we provide them with calorifically appropriate meals at regular intervals, along with a certain amount of physical activity, that helps with stress management and improved sleep.

We provide nutrient-dense foods (e.g. fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish) that help decrease inflammation, reduce cell oxidation, and provide the basics of a healthful diet. At the center, we look at incorporating macronutrients such as Carbohydrates- the body’s main source of energy, in the regular diet of the clients. Carbohydrates can be eaten in various forms (Poha/ flattened rice/Idlis- for breakfast, rice for lunch), and aids in keeping the blood sugar stable. Unstable blood sugar can lead to feelings of frustration, anxiety, and cravings. 

Eating healthier forms of carbohydrates (Dosa, Upma) aids in the production of serotonin, which facilitates a happy, stable mood; aids in sleep; and helps curb food cravings. Low serotonin levels can result in sleep problems, irritability, and depression. 

Drug addicts/users can often suffer from gastrointestinal distress, and hence, a diet rich in fiber (through oatmeal, rice, green leafy vegetables and darker fruits) can help eliminate their stomach problems. Often deficient in Vitamin B, which helps the body produce energy from food, recovering addicts/users must also include healthy fats such as avocados, nuts and dry fruits (raisins, apricots, almonds), fresh water fishes, poultry, and lean meat in their daily diet.

The center has access to a dietician, who monitors the physical requirements of each of the clients, individually. All meals are pre-approved by the dietician, who works in close coordination with the psychologist, to provide tailor made eating plans for each user, depending on their individual vitamin and mineral deficiencies. The dietician also works closely with clients that tend to be overweight, helping them lose weight. Inversely, to help with increasing the number on the weighing scale, the dietician gives underweight clients a specific diet chart to follow.

At the center, we also focus on encouraging clients to drink adequate amounts of hydrating fluids. We monitor sugar intake, as several recovering addicts/users may begin to look at sugar in the same way they would look at drugs- as something that spikes their blood sugar levels and brings them to a crash, resulting in a depressive episode. Clients are allowed one cup of coffee or tea in a day, and no more, as caffeine can trigger the same reward centers of the brain as substances, and can markedly impact anxiety and sleep. We ensure that the clients in our center are provided with their daily nutrients, through green vegetable juices and seasonal fruit juices.

Through the above-mentioned diet, health practitioners at the rehabilitation center are able to heal and nourish the clients, and stabilize their mood. These foods aid in reducing stress and cravings for drugs and/or alcohol. Most importantly, a regular cycle of eating, inculcated among clients, ensures that they are able to encourage self-care and a healthful lifestyle in themselves.