Quick Links for Nutrition in Early Recovery:

• Introduction
• Withdrawal Symptoms & Remedies
• Heal & Nourish
• Decrease Inflammation
• Neurological Healing
• Nutrient Deficiencies & Mental Health
• Teach Healthy Habits
• Recipes for Recovery

What to Expect From Withdrawal:

Withdrawal symptoms can be different for different people and can range from mild to severe. Symptoms depend on:

• The type of substance/behavior and how long it was used.
• A person’s age, physical and psychological characteristics.
• The withdrawal process used.

Symptoms can include:

• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Changing moods
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Aches and pains
• Cravings
• Fatigue
• Hallucinations
• Nausea
• Cold sweats
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Exhaustion
• Aggitation
• Memory loss
• Sleep problems
• Decreased sex drive
• Changes in appetite
• Watery eyes
• Sneezing

Or pretty much everything that you do not want to feel.

Symptoms can last for a few days or weeks, but they will eventually stop.

If you or someone you know has become either physically or mentally dependent on a drug, you will feel withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking that drug.

The key is how to make life a little more comfortable while going through the detox period.  The human body is perfect, and what we need to do is maximize our own bodies ability to reach a new homeostasis without the drug as quickly as possible.

As you will continue reading, one of the most important things you can do for recovery is decrease your inflammation.  And that same idea goes for withdrawal symptoms and detox.  Decrease the inflammation and your body will be able to work better and more efficiently.

In addition to that there are a few things that you can do, in addition to working with a doctor, to help with withdrawal symptoms.

Magnesium:  This neglected mineral will help with sleep, decreasing anxiety, and decreasing depression.

The Sun:  Lay in the sun or take a vitamin D supplement.  Despite what some people want you to believe, our bodies need the sun, lay in the sun and feel better.

Ginger:  This will calm stomachs by decreasing nausea and vomiting, it will help your appetite and decrease the cold sweats.