How to Become Healthy After Drug Addiction
When someone abuses drugs or alcohol they are filling their body with various poisons and toxins. With time and continued abuse, they will build up in the user’s system. Most people who struggle with drug abuse or alcohol abuse disorder do not take care of their bodies the way they should. Exercise and food take a backseat to their substance of choice. Hopefully, the day will come when they seek help from a detox center. These programs help them overcome the physical and mental withdrawals associated with most mood and mind-altering narcotics.
Once they complete a detox center their body will be rid of most of the toxins that have built up with time, now it’s time to get happy and healthy. Getting clean and sober is about more than just removing the substances from the body, it’s about building a new life, a better life, and a healthier life. It’s extremely beneficial to incorporate physical activity with a healthy diet and to practice mindfulness/meditation on a regular basis. Becoming healthy after drug addiction will help lower the chance of relapse occurring and will improve one’s overall quality of life.
What are the Benefits of Physical Activity?
Obviously working out is good for the body. It can help one shed some unwanted pounds, and improve muscle strength and cardiovascular health, but there are many proven mental benefits to physical activity as well. Regular exercise will have a profound and positive impact on one’s mental health. Depression, anxiety, and ADHD symptoms will all be minimized. Working out for just 30 minutes 3+ days a week will do wonders. One will experience lowered levels of stress and improved memory. It can help one sleep better, make them less reactive in daily situations, and will also boost overall mood.
Why Should Someone Recover from Drug Addiction Practice Meditation?
Humans have been practicing meditation for thousands of years. No one is exactly sure where it originated or when, but it is believed to have started in Asia over 4000 years ago. When some people picture meditation they may envision a Buddhist monk wearing an orange robe sitting cross-legged with his fingers making circles resting on each knee. This common misconception of what meditation actually is may keep some from trying this extremely beneficial practice. The fact is, if you have ever prayed, you’ve meditated.
“Meditation can be defined as a practice where an individual uses a technique, such as focusing their mind on a particular object, thought or activity, to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state.” Meditation will help reduce stress and anxiety while also increasing self-awareness and improving mood. The breathing exercises will help improve heart health and lung function. If you are new to meditation check out YouTube, there are a ton of free guided meditation videos that are great for beginners. It only takes a few minutes to meditate and it can be done anywhere, anytime, by anyone for free!
Eating Healthier – Physical and Mental Benefits
If you are eating fast food or drinking soda on a regular basis, cut that out. We all know a double cheeseburger and fry with a fountain Coke is pretty delicious, but it is absolutely awful for your mind and body. Heavily sugary and fatty foods may release a bit of dopamine (a feel-good chemical in the brain) when first consumed, but the after-effects are quite the opposite. It will slow down your metabolism leading to feelings of lethargy and increased laziness. While the food is being digested it can make you depressed and have mood swings. A healthy, or healthier, diet can do wonders for physical and mental health.
I’m not saying cut out all foods you enjoy, just try to be conscious about what you put into your body. Obviously, vegetables, especially dark leafy greens are great for your body and they also improve brain function and energy levels. Eggs, fruits, whole grain, chicken breast, ground turkey, lean ground beef, tuna, and all veggies are great foods. Drink tea and water, your body craves it, not soda! You don’t need to go all in right away, changing a diet takes time and discipline. Those who try to go from pizza and burgers to kale and eggs overnight are rarely successful. Ease your way into it, you will notice a huge difference in just a short period of time.
Other useful resources:
Nationally certified medical detox locator: http://www.detoxlocal.com/
We have a toll-free 24/7 crisis line, which is answered by licensed addiction specialists. In addition to our directory, this phone service further ensures our users can find immediate medical attention in their hometown or state that they can afford.
National needle exchange locator to help curb the spread of HIV and other communicable diseases: http://www.detoxlocal.com/needle-exchanges/
“Periodic Table of Drugs”: http://www.detoxlocal.com/resources/periodic-table-drug-addiction/
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