2 POWERFUL STRATEGIES YOU PROBABLY ARE NOT USING YET TO COMBAT ADDICTION

Alpha Healing Center
Addiction Unscripted
4 min readApr 13, 2015

--

Lessons learnt through using alternative medication for recovery

It is likely for one to gather a lot of data on addiction in the quest for recovery. There seems no other way as the subject indeed requires a lot of information. Though the burst of information could also turn confusing at times. Also, the more one reads and investigates, the more déjà vu one goes through. Hence, a possibility of getting confused and perplexed is quite likely. Thus, enlisting the same stuff with renewed jargony is a time waste for all. Instead, it is better to be forthright with the actionable stuff of sheer importance. Read further to know about 2 important elements that turn game-changer for recovery addiction. Moreover, one can practice them with complete ease without much ado.

1. INCORPORATE ADEQUATE NUTRITIOUS DIET IN YOUR REGIME

The components of addiction, viz. the drugs or alcohol trick the mind into hindering the signals of hunger. Instead, the brain starts indicating the need to fulfill the craving for addiction. Thus the addict gets into the vicious cycle of having more of drugs and less of food. Moreover, with time, this schedule eats away the health; physical as well as mental. The body lacks glucose and essential nutrients and starts a route to degeneration. Also, fatigue, depression and anxiety become a part of the daily routine of addict. It is all because the addiction only provides an initial adrenaline rush. That includes a heavy jolt of empty calories that gets drained within no time.

Hence, during the course of a rehabilitation, the absence of drugs hits hard. To put it plain and simple, the body goes through a shock in their absence. The need to for calorie fortification gets immense; especially during initial phases of detox. It is during those times that an addict craves for caffeine and sugar. Both the stuff are way too healthy compared to drugs or alcohol, but still not advised. Instead, an addict should avoid all forms of simple sugars. It is because eating them would only lead to forming a dependency on them with time. Although, it would be better to have a diet rich in complex carbohydrates. They take longer for the body to digest, and give a feeling of satiety for longer duration. The good sources include oats, ragi, lentils and brown rice.

Along with the carbohydrates, protein is also recommended in the diet. The needs of tissue repair, muscle build up need a diet rich in protein. The abused organs like liver, kidney, heart and brain, in particular have this need. Hence, lean meats, dairy products and a generous dose of nuts and seeds is a must in diet.

Along with these major components of nutrition; adequate intake of others is also essential. Fats, vitamins and minerals also help stabilize body functions in the route to recovery. Ideal way is to include 3 well sized meals along with 2 nutritious snacks between them.

All these nuances of nutrition seem little complex to begin, but ease with time. As a help, one can also consult a nutritionist or a certified dietitian. A rehabilitation center that involves holistic recovery methods can also help with addict’s diet. They can also go a step ahead in suggesting personalized menu options.

2. START DEVOTING TIME TO MEDITATION AND YOGA

Meditation and Yoga are popular for bringing in tranquility and stability into life. Both the outcomes are all the more needed in an addict’s journey of recovery. In times of undergoing agitation and despair, meditation and yoga have a soothing effect. Both are ancient techniques, and involve developing a relation between body and breath. By practicing them on a regular basis, an addict develops an immense sense of calm. The complex and uncontrollable emotions of denial and withdrawal related agitation get addressed. They also help with the relapse, which is the No. 1 cause of getting into re-addiction and staying an addict all the while.

Yoga also helps with getting intimate with one’s inner self. It gives a deeper understanding of a person’s true emotions. A daily ritual of it gives one a clear understanding of what one is going through and where one would want to lead. It lets addicts be in accordance to their mistakes and also lets them get over the guilt. In many scenarios, shame and repentance affects the addict’s mental capacities during recovery. During those times, yoga does a tremendous job of strengthening an addict mentally.

Yoga and meditation when undergone through a registered practitioner yield better results. Many of the recovery centers have a dedicated staff to teach these holistic methods. One can consult a rehabilitation center about them before considering them as an option.

DISCLAIMER:

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for an advice from a registered medical practitioner. Please consult a certified health care professional before following or referring for personal use.

For more information on Addiction and Recovery Studies, visit Alpha Healing Center.

IMAGES SOURCE: Pixabay

REFERENCES:

  1. https://ncadd.org/in-the-news/432-addiction-recovery-how-yoga-can-help
  2. http://www.yogajournal.com/article/practice-section/higher-ground/
  3. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/maura-henninger-nd/holistic-remedies-addiction_b_1631656.html?ir=India

--

--

Alpha Healing Center
Addiction Unscripted

A unique recovery experience that offers state-of-the-art treatments and holistic healing for substance abuse like #alcohol and #drug addiction in New Jersey