Here we will go over how you can care for your body while overcoming addiction.
Addiction negatively impacts your heart, kidneys, brain, muscles, and other organs.
Below, we discuss ways you can restore your health, so keep reading for some helpful tips.
Eat a healthy diet
During active addiction, a person may fail to eat a healthy diet due to a loss of appetite or the cost of food.
These poor eating habits can result in malnutrition, metabolism dysfunction, blood sugar disorders, and a weakened immune system.
With a balanced diet of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, you can rebalance your system and restore any vitamins and minerals that have been depleted.
Get some exercise
Physical activity is one of the best ways to care for your body after addiction.
- Exercise releases endorphins which are the brain’s “happy chemicals” that can bring relief to anxiety and depression.
- Exercise rebuilds muscle that may have been lost due to poor nutrition and lack of activity during drug use.
- Exercise creates a sense of self-worth and achievement
- Exercise improves your physical appearance, which may make you feel more confident.
Overall, exercise improves your physical and mental health, which will make you feel better overall.
Stay hydrated
When a person frequently consumes drugs and alcohol, their liver and kidneys tend to take the biggest hit.
These organs are the primary components of the body’s filtration system and work hard to remove harmful toxins. However, since the liver and kidneys have the most contact with drugs and alcohol, they can quickly become damaged.
Staying hydrated is the best way to repair the damage done to these organs and prevent further harm.
Drink about three liters of fluid each day to stay hydrated and effectively flush toxins from your body.
Visit your doctor
Since addiction can cause significant harm to a person’s body, getting a check-up during the recovery process is vital.
Your primary caregiver will test your blood and urine and check the function of all major organs, including the brain, heart, and kidneys.
If your doctor is concerned about your health, they will order more tests or refer you to a specialist.
After your initial check-up, visit annually and reach out if you are ever worried about your health.
Consider going to a recovery center
No matter the severity of your addiction, going to a recovery center is one of the best ways to care for your body during rehabilitation.
Contrary to popular belief, heroin rehab facilities do not isolate their patients, force them around unsound individuals, or leave them to fend for themselves during withdrawal.
In fact, these common misconceptions could not be farther from the truth.
Instead, many recovery centers offer:
- A community of like-minded individuals.
- Fitness centers
- Personalized treatment
- Compassion and understanding
- Medication-assisted detox
- Individual and group therapy
- Entertainment
Although some less than desirable rehab centers are still around, many facilities like Hollywood Hills Recovery provide a vacation-like experience with caring staff members, a comfortable atmosphere, and optimum mental and physical symptom relief.
Practice self-care
A healthy diet, exercise, therapy, and all other items on this list are included in self-care, but it involves much more as well.
Self-care is the nourishment, protection, and management of your mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual self.
Some self-care practices include:
- Going to church
- Practicing good hygiene
- Spending time with loved ones
- Pampering yourself
- Watching television
- Spending time on your hobbies
- Learning something new
- Strengthening relationships
- Enjoying nature
Self-care is an essential part of recovery because it encourages feelings of self-worth, boosts mood, improves health, creates balance, and helps you stay sober.
Work on your brain health
Your brain is the most critical organ as it controls the functioning of every other part of the body.
Addiction can cause brain damage, cognitive issues, memory problems, lack of coordination, depression, toxic shame, psychosis, and more.
Although some damage caused by drug and alcohol abuse is irreversible, most problems can be treated if not healed completely.
Here are a few ways you can work on your mental and physical brain health:
- Go to therapy
- Get plenty of sleep
- Stay socially active
- Do mental exercises like puzzles and word games
- Find a support system
- Have a positive mindset
- Eat healthily
- Meditate
- Educate yourself on new topics
Incorporate some of these suggestions into your daily routine, and your brain health will recover substantially over time.
Caring for your body while overcoming addiction is vital to achieving happiness and a healthy future. You can do so by leading a healthy lifestyle, going to a recovery center, practicing self-care, and more.
