Do your recommendations differ depending on what substance the individual is withdrawing from (i.e. alcohol, opiates, stimulants, etc.)?

Absolutely. I will often use laboratory data to warrant any aggressive nutrient interventions but there are some guiding principles that are important for each substance. For example, alcohol and opiates create the most gut dysfunction, whereas meth creates the most oral dysfunction. Cocaine use has been associated with essential fatty acid deficiency as well as neurohormonal alterations that can lead to rapid weight gain. All substances are associated with an increased preference for sugar and "comfort food". For more information about specific nutritional deficiencies associated with specific substances, refer to the slideshow at: http://www.nutritioninrecovery.com/food-addiction/nutrition-interventions-in-addiction-recovery-the-role-of-the-dietitian-in-substance-abuse-treatment-2/

For more info click HERE