Body Detoxification During Addiction Recovery

As you begin to heal mentally and emotionally from addiction — and from the physical part of the addictive substance itself — remember to take care of your body as well. You may want to consider a body detoxification* or "detox."

If you have been abusing alcohol or drugs, chances are it has taken a toll on your liver and other internal organs, and probably your skin as well. Further, it is almost impossible to avoid chemicals, food additives and environmental pollutants that, along with drugs or alcohol, can burden our systems.

Many recovering addicts find it helpful to cleanse their system by performing a full body detox. Not only may it help cleanse your liver, kidneys, colon and other internal organs, it may also boost your energy, enhance your skin and even help you lose weight and sleep better.

Body cleansing or detox has been around since around the mid-19th century, but many people don't really know what that is.

What is Body Detox or Cleansing?

The body can repair itself when we are young, but as we age, and especially when we abuse our bodies, it becomes harder for our bodies to regenerate cells and repair themselves. "Detox" isn't just for recovering alcoholics or drug abusers, it can be beneficial to most people. Perhaps a better phrase would be a "body cleanse."

Body cleansing or detox can take a variety of forms. In Ayurveda, a form of alternative medicine, it can take the form of diet, herbs and sweating to move the toxins from the organs into the intestines and bloodstream. From there a variety of techniques are used to flush the toxins from the body. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, treatment is based on the cause, it is not a "one-size-fits-all" treatment. Other body cleanse programs involve fasting.

If you are thinking this is not for me, there is good news. There is also a variety of simple to follow body cleansing or detox programs you can do at home.

Inexpensive At-Home Body Cleansing and Detox Programs

Like many people, you may not have the time or money to invest in a body cleansing program through an alternative health care practitioner. Fortunately, there are a number of herbal-based full body cleansing kits you can purchase to do a body detox/cleanse at home. They are simple to follow and do not interfere with your daily routine.

Typically an at-home Body Cleanse kit will include a cleansing fiber, an herbal liver cleanser and a cleansing laxative in the form of capsules you take at prescribed times throughout the day for a period of one week. You can get body cleansing detox kits on line at many health and vitamin/supplement web sites. Great American Products offers a good detox/body cleanse called Master Detox Program.

Enzymatic Therapy also makes an excellent product called Whole Body Cleanse, which is an easy to follow, two-week program that works to cleanse intestines, liver, gall bladder, circulatory and lymphatic systems without using stimulant laxatives, clay or heavy metals. It is available at Amazon.com

Body Cleansing and Detox Tips

When you are on a body cleansing program, alternative health care professionals recommend that you try to drink lots of water to help your body flush out the toxins and eat a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables and whole grains.

What to avoid during a body cleansing: It is recommended that you avoid refined sugar, all refined-flour products (bread, pasta, cookies, etc.), alcohol, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, meat, dairy and processed foods like lunch meats while you are cleansing your body.

* The information contained on this site is general in nature and is not meant to substitute professional medical advice. The products mentioned on this site are not intended to replace professional medical advice or treatment. None of the statements on this site are a recommendation as to how to treat any particular disease or health-related condition. Please read all health information carefully and consult with a health care professional before starting any diet, exercise, supplement, or medication program. Dietary/nutritional supplement products mentioned or linked to by this site have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases. Self care products are only for your personal comfort and are not intended to replace professional medical procedures or guidance. Individual results can and do vary.