ALCOHOL, SUBSTANCE

ABUSE
AND NUTRITIONAL
CARE

Misconceptions about Drug Abuse,

Alcoholism and Addiction
T/F: Addiction is a choice
T/F: High alcohol tolerance = No
problem
T/F: Addicts cant hold down steady
jobs or have families
T/F: Alcohol consumption at a
younger age will reduce abuse
at/after age 21
T/F: Drug addiction is worse & more
harmful than alcoholism

Physical symptoms of addiction

Gastrointestinal disorder (diarrhea)

Constipation
Organ and tissue damage
Poor appetite & poor eating habits
Inability to properly digest food
Malnutrition
Unable to fully absorb, utilize and break
down nutrients

Mental Health
Dual Diagnoses

Dual diagnoses of substance abuse

with psychiatric/mental illness
Patients often self-medicate with
drugs or alcohol as coping
mechanism for symptoms

Physical manifestations in
body

Muscle/Heart
Brain
Liver
Pancreas
Kidneys
CNS/Hypothalamus
Mucous membranes
Stomach
Intestines
Rectum

Nutrient Deficiencies

Tuberculosis
Nutrient deficiency syndromes
Glucose intolerance
Wernicke-Korsakoffs Syndrome
Alcohol-induced brain damage