Nutrition

Substance use can affect eating, nutrient intake and fluid balance. Nutritional care addresses these needs during recovery. Serious malnutrition requires clinical care, and sudden confusion needs immediate medical help.

Nutrition is about having enough energy, protein, vitamins, minerals and fluids for the body to function. Alcohol can supply energy while displacing food; other substances, illness and practical barriers can also change appetite or make eating difficult. A person's weight alone does not show whether their nutritional needs are being met.

Persistent difficulty eating, unintentional weight loss, restriction, purging or marked weakness needs professional attention. If someone has eaten little or nothing for days, or may be seriously malnourished, seek prompt medical assessment. Restoring nutrition after substantial depletion can cause dangerous changes in minerals and fluid balance, known as refeeding syndrome. It needs an individual clinical plan and monitoring. This is a reason to obtain care, rather than to delay nourishment or attempt a home refeeding schedule.

Sudden confusion needs immediate medical help, whatever the suspected cause. Collapse, a seizure, difficulty breathing or being difficult to wake also requires emergency help. New balance or eye-movement problems in someone with poor nutrition or heavy alcohol use warrant urgent assessment, even without the full set of signs associated with thiamine deficiency. Food or a shop-bought vitamin is not a substitute for this care.

If alcohol dependence may be present, obtain medical advice before suddenly stopping or substantially cutting down. Alcohol withdrawal can be medically dangerous. Nutrition supports care and daily functioning; it does not cure addiction or make withdrawal safe.

Full access is needed to read this Topic's articles.