A

SEMINAR

ON

THE IMPORTANCE OF NUTRITION DURING ALCOHOL ADDICTION RECOVERY

BY

NWAKAEZE EMMANUEL SOCHIMA

17/044144098
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN NUTRITION AND DIETETICS
FACULTY OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCE
COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

PRESENTED TO

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN NUTRITION AND DIETETICS

FACULTY OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCE
COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF COURSE REQUIREMENT

SPECIAL TOPIC/SEMINAR

COURSE CODE: HND 491

DECEMB
ER 2021
 CERTIFICATION

This is to certify that the seminar paper titled “The Importance of Nutrition

During Addiction Recovery” was prepared by Nwakaeze Emmanuel Sochima

with matric no: 17/044144098 under the supervision of Professor H.N. Ene-

Obong

HOD: Professor H.N. Ene-Obong

Signature: .............................
Date: ..............................

Coordinator: Dr (Mrs) Stella C. O. Bassey

Signature: .............................
Date: .............................

Supervisor: Professor H.N. Ene-Obong

Signature: .............................
Date: .............................

Student: Nwakaeze Emmanuel Sochima

Signature: .............................
Date: ..............................
Table of Content

1. Introduction
2. The Effect of Chronic Alcohol Consumption: A Nutrition Perspective
3. How Diet and Nutrition Impact Recovery
4. Nutrition During Early Stage of Recovery (Detoxification)
5. The Benefits of Following a Healthy Nutritional Plan
6. Conclusion
7. Recommendation
8. References
1. INTRODUCTION

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) or alcoholism is a chronic disease characterised by

uncontrolled drinking and preoccupation with alcohol. Alcoholism is a condition in
which a person has a desire or physical need to consume alcohol, even though it
has a negative impact on their life (Tim, 2018).

What Causes Alcoholism?

Alcohol triggers your brain to release the reward-system chemical dopamine. This
leads your brain to link positive feelings with drinking and motivates you to crave
more. It also affects serotonin, which plays a role in things like mood and sleep
(WebMD, 2020).

As you drink more and addiction takes hold, you will experience less pleasure
(develop tolerance), and you may have withdrawal symptoms when you try to
stop drinking. Heavy drinkers will begin to drink even more in an attempt to keep
withdrawal at bay. 

Early signs of problem drinking or alcohol misuse can be subtle, for example,
starting to prioritize activities that involve alcohol steadily leads to a shift in daily
routines and relationships (WebMD, 2020).

As drinking becomes more routine, changes in sleep patterns, mood, energy, and
interests can signal the onset of early alcohol use disorder. For some, this is a
critical tipping point, because alcohol intake increases in an attempt to alleviate
the very challenges it is creating.

Getting Help

Treatments for alcohol dependency can include a combination of: 

● Inpatient Programs
● Behavioural therapies 
● Medications like naltrexone and disulfiram
● Social support

The best treatment for alcoholism depends on the individual—there is no one

right way to achieve and maintain recovery. Generally, success involves a mix of
professional treatment (such as cognitive-behavioural therapy and mindfulness-
based approaches) and peer-support groups.

The best treatment for alcoholism includes medical detoxification first and
foremost if warranted. Inpatient rehabilitation, including 12-step programming, a
support system, structured group and individual treatment, and relapse
prevention psychoeducation is very effective.
2. The Effect of Chronic Alcohol Consumption: A Nutrition Perspective

When we think of addiction from a nutritional perspective, the brain is thought to

be considered in a state of starvation, therefore, the first recommendation for
nutrition and recovery is to eat regularly and focus on those foods that are going
to help replenish those nutritional sources that might be low but also reverse
some of the damage that may have been caused during active alcohol use.

When you abuse alcohol, you:

● Consume less food

● Choose foods that are less nutritious and/or may skip meals
● Increase the speed at which your body uses up energy
● Increase the loss of nutrients through vomiting and diarrhoea
● Damage your gut so that it can’t absorb the nutrients in food properly

Chronic alcohol consumption keeps the body from absorbing and breaking down
nutrients and expelling toxins; thus, stifling attempts at nutritional intake. This can
lead to deficiencies and health problems.

Thiamine Deficiency - The body, the heart, and numerous tissues use thiamine as
it helps the cells convert carbohydrates to energy. The main role of carbohydrates
is to provide energy for the body, especially the brain and nervous system.
Thiamine also plays a role in muscle contraction and conduction of nerve signals.
Up to 80% of people with an addiction to alcohol develop thiamine deficiency.
Heavy alcohol use causes inflammation of the stomach lining and digestive tract,
which reduces the body's ability to absorb vitamins. Poor dietary choices and a
lack of nutrition also rob the body of essential vitamins. Thiamine deficiency can
lead to brain diseases such as Dementia and Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome (WKS)
which is characterized by lack of coordination, vision problems, confusion, and
memory loss.

Digestion and Metabolic Disorders - Alcohol inhibits the breakdown of nutrients

into usable molecules by decreasing the secretion of digestive enzymes from the
pancreas. It impairs nutrient absorption by damaging the delicate cells lining the
stomach and intestines and disabling the transport of some nutrients into the
blood. In addition, nutritional deficiencies themselves may lead to further
absorption problems. Some micro-nutrients that the body cannot absorb include;
Folate, Magnesium, Calcium and Zinc.

Alcohol abusers often mistake the body’s craving for food for a craving for
alcohol. Alcohol is so calorie-dense (with seven calories per gram of alcohol it is
second only to fat, with nine calories per gram) that drinkers often experience a
sense of being sated. These ‘empty’ calories do not support the health of the
body and over time produce a chronic state of malnutrition.

Malnutrition during alcohol use shows up in several ways. In the short term, you
may become very tired and have a weaker immune system—which means that
you’re more susceptible to infections. Other symptoms include dental problems,
digestive problems (e.g., diarrhoea, constipation, and gas), skin conditions, and
changes in the way foods taste.

3. How Diet and Nutrition Impact Recovery

Most people would agree that a balanced diet and healthy eating habits are
important. But for those recovering from alcohol addiction, learning and following
a healthy nutritional plan is an essential part of their recovery. Alcohol abuse
takes a major toll on the human body. Recovering from alcohol abuse is a gradual
process, and nutrition is one of many issues that require attention.
Alcoholism is especially hard to recover from as the detoxification stage is be
considered (requiring careful monitoring, medications, and support) and alcohol
itself is difficult to avoid in the course of everyday socializing. Food is vital in
helping the body rebuild itself and maintain health. In the early stages of
detoxification and recovery, you need to introduce meals slowly, since your body
might not be used to digesting food. It’s a good idea to start with small and
frequent meals.

Because addicts have neglected their diet for a long time, they experience
gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhoea, constipation, and an inability to
digest foods properly, along with a poor appetite. As a result, they have a special
need for foods that are high in nutrients to rebuild damaged tissues and organs
and to regain appropriate functioning of the various systems including the
nervous and gastrointestinal systems (Battaglia, 2008).

Natural food supplies energy to the body and provides the building blocks needed
to replace worn or damaged cells, maintain body structure and functions, and
enhance growth. Food must be digested for use by the body. This digestion begins
in the mouth and continues in the stomach and intestines, with the assistance of
the pancreas. The nutrients from the digested food are absorbed from the
intestine into the blood and transported to the liver. The liver prepares nutrients
for immediate use or storage for future use. All digested nutrients, vitamins,
minerals, and proteins have an essential purpose in our bodies. Any deficiencies
negatively impact the body, its organs, and the brain.

During Recovery it is important to eat nutrient-dense foods. This should include

macro and micronutrients.

Macro-Nutrients

Carbohydrates: The body gets most of its energy from carbs. Without which the
body struggles to function and blood sugar levels fluctuate. It leads to fatigue,
irritability, depression, and anxiety. Carbohydrate food includes Cereals, starch,
fruits and vegetables etc.

Proteins: Proteins are made up of amino acids which are essential in the
regulation of body hormones. Low hormone levels generate feelings of sadness,
anger, and anxiety. Amino acids also help build the immune system. Legumes,
nuts, meat, dairy, and fish are high in proteins.

Fat: These can boost mood and help cells throughout the body function optimally.
Fish, sunflower seed, avocado, nuts are all healthy sources of fat.

Fibre: These are special non-digestible carbohydrates that are good for the gut
microbiota. A healthy gut means a healthy brain too. The gut’s job is to extract
nutrients from digested food, such as amino acids from proteins to make
neurotransmitters. Vitamins and minerals are needed to make them work
properly, so having a healthy gut is key to getting the brain working properly.
Foods with high fibre content includes; Whole grains, vegetables, dried fruits etc.

Micro-Nutrients

These shouldn't be neglected as they are very important in the regulation of the
Internal environment. They work together with enzymes to ensure that the body
functions properly. Vitamins B1, B3, B6, or Thiamine, Niacin and Pyridoxine are
needed as they are directly or indirectly involved in alcohol metabolism and they
are among the nutrients to be depleted by excessive alcohol consumption.
Low levels of micro-nutrients like Iron, Folate, or B Vitamins exhibit symptoms
that mimic that of depression, fatigue, and sleep problems.

Water
Alcohol is a diuretic which means simple terms, that it tells the body to pass out
more water through urination. This causes dehydration. Water is essential to
health as it protects the internal parts of the body, lubricates joints, helps the
body absorb nutrients. The liver and the kidneys needs water to function
properly, most especially at this time, to get the alcohol out of the body system.
Dehydration can cause irritability, confusion, dizziness, fever.

4. Nutrition During Early Stage of Recovery (Detoxification)

Alcohol detoxification is the process that your body goes through when ridding
itself of toxins built up through long-term consumption of alcohol. Depending on
the individual and the severity of the addiction, the exact alcohol detox process
will vary. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is a series of symptoms that occur
when a heavy drinker suddenly stops or significantly reduces their alcohol intake.
These symptoms range from physical to emotional. They can include anything
from mild anxiety and fatigue to nausea. During alcohol detox, symptoms of AWS
are monitored and treated throughout the entire process.

Healthy nutrition plays an important role during this stage. It should be carefully
selected with the right types of high protein and high carbohydrate foods which
can make a big difference in coping with cravings during this stage of recovery.
They also have important implications on mood, as deficiency of nutrients like
amino acids, folic acid, and the other B-complex vitamins also have a serious
impact. Sugar and caffeine can generate mood swings, so intake of both should be
reduced during the early stages of recovery.

Alcohol and drug use prevents the body from properly processing two important
amino acids, tyrosine and tryptophan. They are responsible for the production of
the neurotransmitters adrenalin, dopamine and serotonin. These compounds are
essential for emotional stability, mental clarity and a general state of well-being.
Decreased levels of these neurotransmitters negatively affect mood and
behaviour.

Phenylalanine is a precursor of tyrosine that is then used to produce dopamine

and noradrenaline. Supplementation with phenylalanine has been shown to
elevate mood, increase confidence, motivation and energy levels, and indirectly
decrease drug cravings. Tyrosine supplementation has been indicated to increase
energy and emotional/mental alertness.

Tryptophan is integral to the production of serotonin, which has a calming effect

and is important for proper sleep. It is found in foods such as bananas, milk and
sunflower seeds, as well as turkey meat. Increased intake of tryptophan has been
shown to stabilise mood, improve sleep and reduce frequency and severity of
alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Tryptophan supplementation during early stages
of alcohol detoxification may reduce the number and intensity of withdrawal
symptoms and possibly improve cognitive functions of abstinent chronic alcohol
abusers (Grotzkyj-Giorgi et al, 2009).
Omega fats (omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids) are building blocks of cerebral
membranes together with phospholipids and cholesterol. Their presence is
essential to maintain membrane fluidity. Membrane fluidity, in turn, guarantees a
correct signal transduction in the synapses. Equal quantities of omega-6 and
omega-3 essential fats should be introduced with the diet as higher intake of
omega-6 fats has been linked to a host of diseases (Holford et al, 2008).

Among micronutrients, B-vitamins and antioxidant vitamins (A, E and C) are

particularly important because they play crucial roles in brain physiology. The
latter protect the brain from the attacks of free radicals (Zaidi et al, 2004).

Vitamin B1 (thiamine) plays a central role in preventing the development of

Wernicke- Korsakoff psychosis, a neurodegenerative disorder affecting mainly
alcoholics. People with Korsakoff syndrome suffer from severe memory
impairments. Memory dysfunction is a very debilitating condition; fortunately,
while Korsakoff syndrome is a virtually irreversible condition, the prodromal stage
of it, Wernicke encephalopathy, is a reversible condition caused by a marked
deficiency of the water-soluble vitamin thiamine (vitamin B1). When blood
concentration of thiamine is brought back to physiological levels with a rapid
intravenous infusion of high-concentration thiamine, symptoms quickly subside,
and permanent brain impairment is avoided (Cook et al, 1998; Thomson et al,
2002; Bonner et al, 2004).

Thiamine, together with the other vitamins B, vitamins A, C, E and zinc, form a
complex network of exogenous (diet-derived) antioxidant protection, which has
been demonstrated to be essential in preventing age-related and alcohol- caused
neurodegeneration, by acting in close collaboration with the endogenous
antioxidant protection systems, such as the glutathione system. (Casadesus et al,
2002; Esposito et al, 2002).

5. The Benefits of Following a Healthy Nutritional Plan

When an individual is recovering from a substance abuse problem, eating a

healthy diet has numerous benefits. The nutrients that proper nutrition provides
supply their body with much needed energy. The person feels better mentally,
physically, and emotionally. Their mood is affected in a good way, often giving
them a more positive outlook regarding their recovery. In some cases, feeling
better and having a positive outlook reduces the risk of having a relapse (Avery
Recovery Center, 2018).

Additional benefits of following a healthy nutritional plan include:

● Strengthening of the immune system

● Rebuilding damaged tissue and organs

● Regaining the proper functioning of various systems in the body, such as

the gastrointestinal and nervous systems

6. CONCLUSION

In summary, whatever the addiction, nutrition should be considered a powerful

ally in the process of recovery, particularly during the initial stages of
detoxification. A varied diet rich in good carbohydrates, good quality proteins
(lean meat, fish and vegetable proteins), fresh fruit and vegetables, essential fats
(oily fish, nuts) and plenty of water should be considered and utilised as a tool to
help the recovery process. Optimising the intake of the relevant amino acids,
vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids is the long-term way out of addiction.

7. RECOMMENDATION
Food shouldn’t replace drugs as a coping mechanism. Sugar and caffeine are
common substitutes used during recovery because they produce highs and lows.
These low-nutrient foods can prevent you from consuming enough healthy food
and they affect your mood and cravings. However, these foods are preferable to
starting alcohol or drug use again.
A diet for recovery should include:

* Complex carbohydrates (50% to 55% of the calories you consume), which means
plenty of grains, fruits and vegetable
* Dairy products or other foods rich in calcium (calcium-fortified beverages, tofu,
kale), two to three cups per day
* Moderate protein (15% to 20% of calories): two to four ounces twice a day of
meat or fish (or another high-protein food such as tofu)
* Fat choices (30% of calories), preferably good oils such as canola, olive, flaxseed
and those found in fish

8. REFERENCES

Tim Newman (2018) https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/157163

WebMD (2020)
https://www.webmd.com/connect-to-care/addiction-treatment-
recovery/alcohol/what-causes-alcohol-addiction

Battaglia E (2008) Proper nutrition for recovery. Drug and Alcohol Addiction
Recovery. Available at: www. drugalcoholaddictionrecovery.com?p=33
(accessed May 2009).

Grotzkyj-Giorgi M, Martin C & Bonner AB (2009) Tryptophan supplementation

improves cognitive functions in chronic alcohol misusers enrolled in a
detoxification programme.

Holford P, Miller D & Braly J (2008) How to quit without feeling s**t. London:
Piatkus Books.
Zaidi & Banu N (2004) Antioxidant potential of vitamins A, E and C in modulating
oxidative stress in rat brain. Clinica Chimica Acta 340 229–233.

Cook CC, Hallwood PM & Thomson AD (1998) Vitamin deficiency and

neuropsychiatric syndromes in alcohol misuse. Alcohol and Alcoholism 33 (4)
317–336.

Bonner AB, Thomson AD & Cook CCH (2004) Alcohol, Nutrition, and Recovery of
Brain Function. Oxford: CRC Press LLC.

Casadesus G, Shukitt-Hale B & Joseph JA (2002) Qualitative versus quantitative

caloric intake: are they equivalent paths to successful aging? Neurobiology of
Aging 23 (3) 747–769.

Avery Recovery Center (2018). https://aviaryrecoverycenter.com/nutrition-

important-addiction-recovery/