The Importance of Diet in Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Many people are under the common misconception that alcoholism treatment is as simple as not consuming alcohol. After all, if you have stopped drinking alcohol, isn’t that all you need to live a healthy and everyday life? The answer is no. Any treatment facility will tell you that you must take a holistic approach to make the most out of alcoholism treatment. This process means that you take the time to assess your diet and make changes to it so you can better manage alcohol cravings if and when they arise.
Often, when a person is suffering from alcohol abuse, particularly those seeking drug detox treatment in Los Angeles, they will not pay attention to what they are eating. Their focus tends to be entirely on continuing their substance abuse. As a result, once they decide to quit drinking and start a program in a Los Angeles drug detox treatment center, they may find that they are severely under or overweight. Additionally, they often have no idea what it means to maintain a healthy diet. In Los Angeles drug detox treatment facilities, there’s a strong emphasis on the role of healthy eating, which can have a direct and positive impact on your overall recovery. Adopting a nutritious diet can significantly improve your frame of mind and help you focus on your ultimate goal of sobriety.
What to Do When Alcohol Cravings Arise
When you’re struggling with an addiction to alcohol consumption, there are several occasions where cravings to drink may come up. For example, stress and anxiety can impact your recovery. Stress and anxiety are undoubtedly triggers for anyone who struggles with substance abuse, and stress and anxiety can arise from any situation. You may be going through a difficult time at work or dealing with issues within your family. During your time in addiction treatment, you will learn more about how you can control your craving and alcohol issues when you start to feel these emotions so that you’re not put into a position where you potentially relapse.
However, just because you experience these triggers doesn’t mean you need to give into them. Here are some examples of steps that you can take to ensure that you don’t fall back into the trap of addiction:
Remove yourself from the situation
Recognizing that you’re beginning to experience alcohol cravings is critical in preventing relapse. For instance, if you are with people drinking, you may start to experience cravings. Remember, there is nothing wrong with excusing yourself from that situation, and you don’t always need to explain why you need to excuse yourself. Your main priority should always be yourself, your well-being, and your sobriety.
Go to an AA meeting
One of the best things about an AA meeting is that there is one that happens seemingly any time of day, seven days a week. Also, you can attend a meeting in person or remotely. An AA meeting will likely remind you of a group therapy session because you will be able to interact with other people who are working through their own addiction treatment programs. Attending an AA meeting will help you develop your own understanding of addiction and help you build your support system, which will be invaluable to you as you continue your recovery journey in drug detox treatment Beverly Hills.
Discover which foods can help reduce cravings for alcohol here:
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How to Build Healthy Eating Habits in Recovery
Once you have stopped drinking, there are several ways that you can develop healing eating habits that can steer you away from future alcohol abuse. One of the best ways to work through your alcohol use disorders and focus on living a healthier life is by deciding to commit to a comprehensive addiction treatment program. Many people opt to work through an inpatient rehab plan. During inpatient rehab, you will benefit from learning how to control alcohol cravings with the peace of mind of knowing that your treatment team will be there for you and with you every step of the way. During inpatient alcohol rehab, you will also have the added benefit of living in an environment that helps you understand what it is to eat healthy and help you to learn techniques that you can take with you as you transition into a life of sobriety.
If you’re unable to commit to inpatient rehab, you can still learn how to control your alcohol urges through an outpatient rehab program. Outpatient rehab typically falls into two categories. The first is an intensive outpatient program, and the second is general outpatient treatment. Both intensive outpatient treatment and general outpatient rehab will provide you with the tools you need to work through your addiction to drugs and alcohol; however, you will have more flexibility in your treatment program. Clients who opt to commit to an intensive outpatient or a general outpatient treatment program will still receive the treatment they need to address their alcoholism and alcohol urges; however, they will be able to work or go to school as required. Clients who commit to an outpatient program for drugs and alcohol will also have the opportunity to live at home during this time, which can help them feel more comfortable.
Foods That Reduce Alcohol Cravings
Did you know that several foods can actually reduce alcohol cravings? Here are some examples of food that you will want to incorporate into your regular eating habits:
- Raw spinach
- Peanut butter
- Salmon
- Whole-grain bread
- Walnuts
- Bananas
Building your eating habits around these foods can help you develop healthier habits overall. From maintaining a healthy weight to maintaining a healthy weight overall, you will see the tremendous benefits of eating these foods.
Practicing Mindful Eating
It’s critical to practice mindful eating during the early stages of your recovery and throughout your life. It’s possible that once you transition from alcohol addiction into a sober way of living, you may look to food as a form of comfort. During your treatment journey, you will learn about the importance of practicing mindful eating, so you don’t substitute your alcohol consumption for food consumption.
Will Alcohol Cravings Go Away?
It’s important to understand that you may experience cravings to drink for the rest of your life. For example, long after your time in alcohol detox, you could develop a condition known as post-acute withdrawal symptoms, also known as PAWS. When a person develops PAWS, they will experience withdrawal symptoms but on a less severe scale than when they initially did during alcohol detox. However, this experience could cause cravings to drink that they may not have experienced for some time.
One of the critical aspects of your addiction treatment and recovery will be participating in therapy for alcohol abuse. During these therapy sessions, you will learn more about what you need to do to overcome your substance abuse issues and what you can do to prevent relapse in the future. Here are some examples of therapy for alcohol that you will experience during your time in a partial hospitalization program or a general outpatient rehab program:
Group therapy
Group therapy will help you understand that you are not alone when it comes to your struggles with alcohol addiction. During group therapy, you will have the chance to share more about those struggles and listen to other people’s experiences who are committed to overcoming their addiction. You will find that group therapy is an excellent way to initially develop your support system.
Family therapy
When you were in active addiction, your family will likely have distanced themselves from you, either because they are frustrated by your addiction or simply cannot stand seeing you hurt yourself. However, when you decide to address your addiction, you can invite them to participate in family therapy so you can work together toward developing a healthier relationship now that you are sober.
Getting Help for Alcohol Cravings at Muse Treatment Center
Are you a heavy drinker who is ready to take steps to stop? Are you looking for a trustworthy facility that can offer treatment for alcohol-dependent people? If the answer is yes, Muse Treatment Center is here to help. We can help you to understand the origins of your alcohol addiction and aid you in ways to distract yourself, so you don’t fall back into the trap of alcoholism in the future. We help you learn how to control alcohol urges and develop a better understanding of the genesis of your alcohol addiction. For more information about our addiction treatment programs and how to prevent alcohol relapse, we encourage you to get in touch with us today at (800) 426-1818.
