Presented by: Kari W, Stenberg College Psychiatric Nursing Student

Effects of Addiction on your Body

Substance use harms the body primarily in two ways

(MedlinePlus, 2014):

1. The substance itself affects the body

2. It can lead to negative lifestyle changes

Metabolism, organ function, and mental well-being can all be affected (NIH, 1993).

Possible Effects of Addiction on your Body

The very act of using drugs or alcohol damages the body

(Smiechowski, 2014).

Some of the Effects of AlcoholCan directly affect: Nutrient

breakdown Nutrient

absorption Blood sugar control Fluid balance

Especially affected can be: B Vitamins (B1, B6

& B12) Folic Acid

Some of the Effects of Opiates

Use can cause:

Stomach problems

Withdrawal can lead to:

A lack of nutrients and electrolytes

Some of the Effects of Stimulants

Stimulants can limit one’s appetite

There is good news…

Ensuring nutritional education and adequate nutritional intake can increase your success in achieving recovery and maintaining sobriety (Grant et al, 2004).

Why focus on nutrition?

The focus on nutrition may have taken a backseat to one’s addiction.

The substances used may have had a negative effect on how your body is able to process nutrients.

Attention to nutritional intake can help to repair physical damage.

Nutrition also plays an important role in mood.

Why focus on nutrition?

Ensuring adequate intake of nutrients is important as many recovering addicts can

MISINTERPRET HUNGER AS A DRUG OR ALCOHOL CRAVING (Smiechowski, 2014).

How to Begin the Healing

Nutrition is important…however – don’t be too hard on yourself!

For someone who has just given up an important source of pleasure making other drastic lifestyle changes can be too much.

Therefore, it is more important to avoid returning to substance use than sticking with a strict diet.

What should the recovering addict focus on?

During recovery, dehydration is common.

It is important to get enough fluids during and between meal times (MedlinePlus, 2014).

What should the recovering addict focus on?

Vitamin and nutrient rich foods (and possibly include a vitamin and mineral supplement)

Less sugar

Choose smart carbohydrates and consume fewer refined carbohydrates

More protein

More fibre

More healthy fats

Fewer processed foods

Less caffeine(Addiction Staff, 2014)

Remember….

References Addiction Staff (2014). Nutrition for addicts: Healing the body. Retrieved

from http://www.addiction.com/3446/nutrition-for-addicts/

Grant, L. P., Haughton, B. & Sachan, D. S. (2004). Nutrition education is positively associated with substance abuse treatment programs. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 104(4), p. 604-610. doi: 10.1016/j.jada.2004.01.008

MedlinePlus (2014). Diet and substance use recovery. Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002149.htm

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism [NIH]. (1993). Alcohol alert. Retrieved from http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa22.htm

Smiechowski, J. (2014). Nutrition and recovery: How healthy eating can help you stay sober. Retrieved from http://www.thefix.com/content/nutrition-and-addiction-recovery-how-healthy-eating-can-help-you-stay-sober?page=all

Thank-you!

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