Have you ever noticed how behavior in children changes dramatically when they are hungry? This is even more true of addicts, who, over time, have starved their brains of vital nutrients critical for optimal brain function, thereby exacerbating their behavioral disorders and inhibiting effective recovery.

Alcohol is not the only abused chemical, but perhaps the most and yet surprisingly unacknowledged worldwide cause of brain damage, cognitive impairment, and dementia. Many substances abused over years cause mental impairment. And let’s just state the obvious, when your brain isn’t working, you will struggle with mental illness.

Interviewing many of our patients, they tell us their addiction was about just needing something to get through the day, then fall asleep at night. Sometimes that was alcohol, cigarettes, or cannabis, other times it was harder substances like cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines. Still, others were on prescription medications, like antidepressants or benzodiazepines, and had no idea how they could possibly live without them

Upon entering the program at Diamond Tree Recovery, nutritionist Amanda Kotter, MH, CN, author of “Mother Nature’s Medicine”, provides nutrient-rich meals to patients, most of whom would rather have a hamburger and fries. Very soon, however, they begin to feel differently. Their attitudes shift as they feel their health returning. Often times they assist in the food preparation and planning. By the end of their stay, they are asking for her cookbook.

In his book “End Your Addiction Now”, Dr. Charles Grant, physician and psychiatric consultant, says, “Unless the biochemical imbalances which are the true causes of substance problems are corrected, the benefits of psychological counseling will be marginal for most people.” (1)(2)

Recent studies reveal that drugs physically change the structure and function of the brain, which can lead to cravings. (A full list of studies is available for download at the end of this article.)

Several studies show a relationship between vitamin and mineral deficiencies and metabolic imbalances that tend to create addictive cravings. One such study by Dr. Roger Williams, the biochemist who discovered pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), showed that rats deficient in certain vitamins consumed more alcohol than those not vitamin deficient. But when those vitamin deficiencies were supplemented, alcohol consumption decreased.

1. abnormal neuronal development
2. disruptions in regulatory processes, such as the sleep-wake cycle
3. sub-optimal performance in global measurements of cognition, motor skills, and social-emotional behavior
4. cognitive deficits associated with reductions in learning capacity and productivity.(3)

Ultimately, these nutritional deficiencies can cause fatigue, depression, and irritability, all triggers that can block recovery and lead to a relapse.

The good news is those high-quality bioavailable nutrients that are so important to combating and correcting all of this are readily available to us in good foods and supplements.  Contact Diamond Tree Recovery today for more information!

1. Grant, Charles, M.D., Ph.D. and Greg Lewis, Ph.D. End Your Addiction Now. (NY, NY: Warner Books, Inc.), 2002

2. Nutrition in Addiction Recovery – Many Hands Organic Farm http://www.mhof.net/sites/default/files/Addiction%20and%20Recovery%20Report.pdf

3. NIH Public Access Neurodevelopment and Childhood Behaviors http://www.talkingaboutthescience.com/studies/Hibbeln2014.pdf