Our Body is a Temple

Detox for the body is not finished with a weeklong stay at detox.  The body is healing from years of malnutrition and damage from active use.  In general people have been under-eating, eating junk food,

The brain takes a year to return to "normal" after addiction.  It needs time to heal the physical structures in the brain and restore proper chemical balance.  Post-acute withdrawal or PAWS includes psychological and emotional symptoms and can last for months.  They can come and go triggered by people, places and things.  A person can experience unclear thinking/ trouble focusing, cravings, irritability, anger, sleep problems, tiredness, stress, anxiety and panic attacks, depression, low-motivation, and mood swings.

Many people in recovery have had a brain injury that preceded their addiction or was a result of their addiction.  People who have head injuries are more susceptible to develop addiction.  People in active use get head trauma from getting into accidents, domestic violence and overdoses.

Alcohol is the only drug to damage all body systems.  It leeches’ nutrients from the body making it deficient in many important vitamins.  It specifically causes deficiencies in potassium, B vitamins, zinc, magnesium and vitamin A.  Alcohol also dehydrates the body creating an imbalance in electrolytes.  Diabetes is exacerbated with alcoholism because alcohol damages the pancreas and kidneys.  Alcohol breaks down into sugar causing a person to get too much.

There are more bacteria housed in our bodies than there are human cells.  The human body is in fact an ecosystem.  The types of bacteria living in colonies in our guts determine how well our immune system will function.  People eating a modern diet high in carbs and sugars have imbalanced gut bacteria.  The digestive system is a thriving colony of bacteria that survives from the foods we feed it.  When we have been feeding our gut bacteria carbs and sugar, they will continue to crave more of it.  To reestablish healthier gut bacteria, we must feed it whole natural foods. This will cause the unhealthy bacteria to die, and the healthy bacteria to take over.  Our gut flora manufacture neurochemicals.  95% of the body’s serotonin is made in the gut bacteria.  Many people take probiotics to encourage healthy gut bacteria.  Certain foods contain good probiotics like yoghurt and fermented foods and drinks.  Olive oil and garlic help the digestive tract.

People struggle with a lot of other health problems besides recovery from drugs and alcohol that need time to heal.  STDS need to be tested and addressed.  A healthy immune system is needed to clear HPV viruses from the body.  Mushroom supplements and anti-viral foods and herbs are beneficial for HPV treatment.  Many people have contracted hepatitis C and need to coordinate the treatment with insurance and a gastroenterologist.  Seizures from alcohol and benzo withdrawal can happen weeks following last use and medication can be taken to prevent them.  Blood pressure is also an issue that can be addressed in sobriety.

Drinking large amounts of water helps the body to flush out accumulated toxins.  Some people begin their recovery drinking a nutritional beverage like Ensure.  Good quality vitamins should supplement healthy food choices.  There are herbs that heal certain parts of the body and can be reviewed with a primary care doctor.

It is commonly said, in many spiritual traditions, that, “Your body is a temple.” The human body is the interface for spirit to have a human experience. The spiritual and physical interface in the body.  The body started as a small bit of cell tissue rapidly developing and developing within the uterus, a mini version of the cosmic egg. There was a drumming rhythm, the heartbeat, coaxing spirit to reside within the tiny human developing.  Within a space of muted sensory input, the embryo is in an altered dream state. Sensory deprivation tanks cause people to hallucinate because it re-creates the womb and induces an altered state of consciousness. In the womb consciousness, or spirit, slowly starts to reside in the body. If we keep our bodies as healthy and comfortable as possible, we limit suffering.
People in active use disconnect from their bodies. They strip-mine the chemical highs from their brain and body creating a wasteland. The body in active addiction quickly loses its balance and when cravings hit, can feel like the enemy. People go for days not eating and when they do, eat junk food. Because of the lifestyle of addiction, people lose their health. They contract disease, exacerbate pre-existing conditions, get scars, lose their teeth, etc.  When prostituting, the body is used as a tool to get money and collects the energy of strangers. People who have prostituted, or suffered bodily abuse, report that they feel like showering all the time and cannot get other people's energy off them.  Because substances are expensive, and people struggle to maintain employment, they commit crimes.  When incarcerated people become habituated to external power, are isolated for long periods of time from others, lose touch with family, see or experience violence and learn unhealthy ways of thinking and behaviors. Substance use and the lifestyle that accompanies it worsens mental health and increases trauma.

When you are so unwell how can you hope to re-gain your health? How do you cope with health problems and the fear that comes along with them without using?  Be patient and believe that you can heal.  Connect to the compassionate forces of the universe or your higher power. Believe that with proper nutrition, medications and lifestyle changes you can make your body a safe comfortable space again. Show your body compassion and gratitude for carrying you through this life... staying with you even through over-doses and abuse.... Forgive yourself for polluting your body. Accept your body even though it is imperfect or has issues that need ongoing attention.  Under proper support, do the hard work of releasing the trauma that accumulated in the cells of your bodies.  Realize that many other people have experienced suffering and struggle.  You are not alone and do not need to feel ashamed. It takes a long time to heal, but if we believe that it is possible, we can.  “People do recover.”
Within this section we will look at nutrition (healing foods), supplements (vitamins and herbs), exercise (yoga, breath work, walking), energy work (reiki, shamanism). Bodywork (acupuncture, massage), and reconnect to nature. We will explore how our bodies can become a safe space again.  The body is a mini temple for our spirit to experience life on earth.