Drug Addicts and Sugar: Avoiding Sugar in Addiction Recovery

Most people know the harm sugar can inflict on a person when consumed excessively. It’s been linked to obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. But there are also other health risks associated with sugar, such as how it can affect those recovering from alcohol or drug addiction. There’s also some evidence that shows that medication that can manage appetite can also manage alcohol cravings. But what is the connection between addiction and sugar intake?

Why Are Sugar Cravings Common in Addiction Recovery?

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. Substances such as drugs can produce a surge of dopamine, which can create a sense of euphoria or a high. Chasing this high repeatedly can lead to addiction. Sugar is an addictive substance and can lead to similar addictive tendencies.

During rehabilitation, many patients often prefer sweet foods and drinks in the form of fizzy drinks, fruit juice, desserts, and sweetened coffee. This may be more apparent, particularly in alcoholics. The reason for this is that alcohol is a simple sugar, and in reality, many alcoholics may also be addicted to sugar, but without realising it.

Why Do Drug Addicts Crave Sugar?

Sugar can trigger a dopamine rush. But, other than this, there are reasons as to why some people who are recovering from drug and alcohol addiction may crave sugar. These reasons include:

Stress Eating

People who struggle with drug or alcohol addiction may crave sugary foods when in recovery, not because they crave sugar itself, but because they are stress-eating. The recovery process, especially detox, can be stressful, even in a luxury treatment centre. So they may turn to sugar consumption because eating is something that they can control.

Appetite Returning

There are some forms of substance misuse, such as using stimulants, that can numb a person’s appetite. When they get off these drugs, their appetite returns, and they crave food, often foods which are high in sugar, as they are easy to find, high in calories, and are very palatable. This resurgence in appetite can sometimes lead to weight gain.

Replacement

In some cases, people who recover from one addiction will redirect their compulsions to another substance, such as how some alcoholics may stop drinking but start using drugs instead. Some people who are recovering from a substance use disorder may turn to sugary foods to replace drugs or alcohol and develop a sugar addiction or an eating disorder in the process.

Why People Should Avoid Sugar in Addiction Treatment

Sugar is pleasurable to consume. People consume it in their meals, drinks, coffee, and afternoon tea. Even people who avoid refined sugar may eat fruits that are quite high in sugar. But people in recovery should avoid or minimise their sugar intake. 

General Health

A major part of recovering from addiction is helping a person get physically healthy once again, which includes a balanced diet. High blood sugar levels can lead to various conditions such as obesity and diabetes. These conditions can complicate a person’s recovery from substance addiction.

Physical Recovery

High sugar intake can also lead to fatigue. A treatment programme for addiction recovery may involve physical activities to promote general wellbeing, but consuming sugar may delay this facet of recovery.

Substitution

As previously mentioned, one of the effects of sugar is a dopamine hit, and this can cause people to substitute drugs or alcohol with sugar. This rush of dopamine can act as a less intense high that can reinforce addictive behaviour and impede recovery.

Mood Stabilisation

Consuming too much sugar can cause blood sugar spikes and crashes, which can lead to irritability and anxiety. These emotions can trigger a relapse. Avoiding excessive sugar can promote stability and thus reduce the risk of a relapse.

Relapse Risk

Sugar can activate the same neural pathways as opioids. For people recovering from opioid use, a diet high in sugar may trigger a relapse in opioid use. As such, it’s especially important to avoid a high sugar diet in the early stages of recovery.

How to Handle Sugar Cravings in Addiction Recovery

Because there are several risks that sugar can pose to people recovering from substance use disorder, they should avoid the consumption of sugar. However, sugar is prevalent throughout society, and people will crave sweets. Fortunately, there are ways that people in recovery can handle any sugar cravings that may arise. These include:

Eating a Balanced Diet

One of the most important ways to avoid sugar consumption while recovering from addiction is to eat a balanced diet that includes whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. A balanced diet can help a person avoid getting hungry and abstain from foods high in sugar.

Substitutions

Another way to avoid excess sugar in recovery is to substitute foods with added sugar that are either low in sugar, have no added sugars, or have no sugar at all. This includes sugar-free fizzy drinks and fruits with natural sugars instead of refined sugars. 

The Occasional Treat

Eating too much sugar isn’t healthy and can set a person’s addiction recovery back. However, that does not mean a person should abstain from sugar entirely. There’s nothing wrong with having the occasional sweet treat.

Is Sugar Addiction Real?

There’s some evidence in animal studies to suggest that a sugar addiction is possible. But there’s little evidence to suggest that humans can develop sugar addiction in the same way that rats and other animals can. However, regular excessive sugar intake can establish a pattern of behaviour that can be difficult to break.

We Want to Give You the Best Chance at Overcoming Addiction

Education around food is key so that patients can learn how to nourish their brain and body for the best chance of a maintained, successful, and enhanced recovery. This will provide a happy, healthier, substance-free life. Patients will also have the chance to fully address their individual dietary needs and health goals before returning home.