Cited by 142Substance Abuse Treatment and OutcomesNutrition, Health and Food BehaviorAlcoholism and Thiamine Deficiency

The importance of nutrition in aiding recovery from substance use disorders: a review

Jeynes, Kendall D., Gibson, E. Leigh·2017·Drug and Alcohol Dependence

Abstract

Background Nutrition is a prerequisite for health; yet, there is no special nutritional assessment or guidance for drug and alcohol dependent individuals, despite the fact that their food consumption is often very limited, risking malnutrition. Further, the premise is examined that malnutrition may promote drug seeking and impede recovery from substance use disorders (SUD).Method A narrative review addressed the relationship between substance use disorders and nutrition, including evidence for malnutrition, as well as their impact on metabolism and appetite regulation. The implications of the biopsychology of addiction and appetite for understanding the role of nutrition in SUD were also considered.Results The literature overwhelmingly finds that subjects with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and drug use disorder (DUD) typically suffer from nutrient deficiencies. These nutrient deficiencies may be complicit in the alcoholic myopathy, osteopenia and osteoporosis, and mood disorders including anxiety and depression, observed in AUD and DUD. These same individuals have also been found to have altered body composition and altered hormonal metabolic regulators. Additionally, brain processes fundamental for survival are stimulated both by food, particularly sweet foods, and by substances of abuse, with evidence supporting confusion (addiction transfer) when recovering from SUD between cravings for a substance and craving for food.Conclusion Poor nutritional status in AUD and DUD severely impacts their physical and psychological health, which may impede their ability to resist substances of abuse and recover their health. This review contributes to a better understanding of interventions that could best support individuals with substance use disorders.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.07.006

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Authors
Jeynes, K. D., & Gibson, E. L.
Affiliations
University of Roehampton (GB)
Corresponding author
Gibson, E. Leigh
Venue
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2017-10
Volume
179
Pages
229-239
ISSN
0376-8716 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2744507838
Cited by
142
References
174
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 25 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 1
FWCI
0.98
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Drug and Alcohol Dependence (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • DSM Nutritional Products Ltd
  • Efamol Ltd
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Neurology › Alcoholism and Thiamine Deficiency
Keywords
substance use disorders, nutrition, malnutrition, alcoholism, drug use disorders, nutritional deficiency, appetite regulation, metabolism, food cravings, recovery, osteoporosis, alcoholic myopathy, body composition, hormonal regulation, mood disorders
MeSH terms
Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorder, Humans, Nutritional Status, Comorbidity, Mood Disorders, Substance-Related Disorders

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