Rehab Centers That Offer Keto Friendly Programs

As more and more drug and alcohol abuse rehab centers realize the importance of catering to the special requests and needs of patients, more of them are now offering special dietary options. This means offering services like meal planning and access to onsite dieticians and nutritionists, as well as offering dietary options such as a vegan or keto-friendly menu.

This is especially true as more becomes known about the potential benefits of certain diets for people healing from addiction, as well as an understanding that certain patients are more likely to seek treatment if they know they will not have to worry about maintaining their preferences.

Read on to learn more about the benefits that a keto-friendly diet can offer to people overcoming substance use disorders (SUDs), as well as more about how you can find a rehab near you with such options.

Keto-friendly rehabs are a unique kind of addiction treatment center that can offer benefits to people who already practice a keto diet or who are interested in starting one.

A keto diet consists of low carbohydrates and high fats, as well as moderate proteins, which is believed by some to have a lot of health benefits.

Keto-friendly rehab centers are treatment facilities that cater to this type of diet, and possibly other diets as well, by offering keto menu choices and educational materials so that people can better understand this type of diet and its recovery benefits.

One of the main benefits of a keto diet is that it replaces glucose with ketone bodies as the main energy source for the body, allowing the body to enter a metabolic state known as ketosis.

In turn, blood sugar levels become more stabilized, brain function is enhanced, and many areas of the brain that suffer during addiction are improved, including impulse control, decision-making skills, and the ability to regulate emotions.

Keto-friendly rehabs can cater to dietary needs by offering meals that fit with the keto lifestyle, as in low-carb and high-fat, while also providing special additional services, like nutritional counseling and meal planning.

Some may go even further by offering services like cooking classes and private meetings with dieticians so that all participants gain a well-rounded understanding of their diet rather than simply eating the required foods.

A keto-friendly diet is not necessarily the right choice for everyone but is proven to have significant benefits for people entering rehab for substance abuse.

Proper nutrition is considered one of the most important factors in healing from injury, and the physical and mental injuries caused by addiction are no exception to this.

Having the ability to maintain dietary preferences can thus not only help people to heal while in recovery but can also help them feel safe and comfortable and on the right track toward their goals.

A keto-friendly diet has been shown to have positive effects on both a person’s physical health and mental health. This is important as people often enter rehab in a state of malnutrition as well as with possible co-occurring mental health disorders.

Physical health benefits of a keto diet include:

• Weight loss
• Improves skin health and reduces acne
• Lowers cholesterol levels
• Reduces blood pressure
• Reduces seizures related to epilepsy
• Lowers blood sugar and helps manage diabetes
• Reduces frequency and intensity of migraines
• Decreases inflammation throughout the body
• Can reduce sugar intake associated with SUDs

Mental health benefits of a keto diet include:

• Can improve the symptoms of severe mental illness
• Can reduce symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression
• Can improve mood and overall levels of happiness
• Can improve mental clarity
• Increases GABA levels – an important neurotransmitter that affects brain chemistry and mood
• Can help with treatment for Alzheimer’s

People with both substance use disorders and other types of mental illness have reported amazing results after switching to a keto diet. One such personal story comes from Matt Baszucki as reported to Today, in which he explains how a keto diet saved him from a case of severe bipolar disorder.

As quoted in his 2024 interview on Today, “I had no symptoms. Zero. It was night and day when I started the diet that year. Blatantly obvious. I was like, ‘Oh my God, I’m healthy. I’m getting my brain back. It was all worth it.”

Keto-friendly programs and services come in different types and levels of care, as everyone has their own unique needs when entering a rehab program.

Treatment programs for alcohol and drug use typically come in options for either outpatient or inpatient treatment, the latter of which involves people living onsite with other patients for a period of around 30 to 90 days.

Outpatient programs can be further divided into regular outpatient programs, intensive outpatient programs, or partial hospitalization programs, depending on the level of care and supervision that a person requires.

Nutritional counseling and meal planning should also be provided within a keto-friendly rehab so that patients can take an active role in their treatment and what they eat while in recovery.

Not only can this help people to meet their own needs and preferences, but can also help them to understand what they are eating and why it is important for their recovery process.

Specialized diets can often be found in rehab centers that also offer an array of holistic treatments in addition to evidence-based treatments, like detox and medication-assisted treatment (MAT).

Holistic options that are incorporated into treatment can include things like adventure therapy, music and art therapy, yoga and meditation, and breathing exercises for stress relief.

A keto diet can be highly beneficial during addiction recovery, in both the short-term and long-term.

There are many beneficial effects to limiting carbohydrate intake, the most obvious of which is that it can help people lose weight and also lower their appetite to help keep weight off.

In addition to this, a keto diet can also lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, while also helping to manage chronic diseases like diabetes and help prevent certain types of cancer.

Keto nutrition has shown to be helpful during the detox process and in particular for those who are detoxing from an alcohol use disorder.

This is because people with an AUD often develop a glucose metabolism disorder which a keto diet can compensate for by boosting ketone metabolism.

This can in turn reduce alcohol withdrawal symptoms and heavy alcohol cravings, making the detox process easier and the person less likely to relapse.

Over time, maintaining a keto diet can change a person’s metabolic status, while also reducing their cravings for drugs or alcohol, and providing neuroprotective effects that can enhance a person’s brain health and make them less likely to turn to substances in the future.

In turn, people will have fewer cravings, stronger mental strength and clarity, and less of a need for drug or alcohol intake as a means of coping with life’s many challenges.

While there are many positive benefits of participating in a keto diet while in treatment for addiction, maintaining a specialized diet is not without its challenges as well, especially when in a shared space.

Keto patients can face challenges while in addiction treatment, partly because they may have trouble accessing the right foods or have very limited options for what they can eat.

They may also face judgment and criticism from both their peers and staff members for having special dietary needs that others simply do not understand.

Solutions that are implemented may vary a lot between alcohol and drug abuse treatment centers but can include things like support groups or separate activities for people with special diets or specific diets like keto-friendly diets.

This can ensure that people with special dietary needs do not ever feel isolated or excluded from their peers and that they have people they can talk to who relate to them.

Patients with specialized needs often report feeling misunderstood or judged if what they require is different in any way from a standardized plan or not in line with a standard American diet.

These challenges for keto patients can be solved with a staff that is supportive and understanding and who provide a place for all patients to go to when they are struggling and need someone to talk to.

Finding the right rehab center for yourself or a loved one is crucial for both beginning treatment and having the ability to continue and complete treatment.

There are a few different ways that you can look at rehab centers and decide for yourself whether it is of good quality or not, including:

• Consider whether the rehab center is accredited and whether it has any relevant memberships or certifications in national addiction treatment organizations.
• Read reviews and testimonials for the facility and ensure that they are generally positive.
• Consider whether the facility offers treatments that are evidence-based in addition to ones that are holistic.
• Consider what type of training and certifications are held by staff members of the facility.

Make sure to address any concerns that you have by visiting potential facilities in person and asking them any questions that you have. Questions that would be appropriate to ask include:

• What are some examples of keto-friendly options that you offer?
• What evidence-based treatments are offered at your facility?
• Will I be able to choose my meals and plan my own menu?
• What types of safety and security measures do you offer for patients?
• Do you offer both inpatient and outpatient treatment?
• What happens if I want to leave before completing my program?
• Do you offer medication-assisted treatment for alcohol and opioid use disorders?

It is essential when entering any type of drug and alcohol addiction treatment program that every patient is treated as a unique individual and given a personalized treatment plan.

This is to ensure that all patients have their needs met and feel the support that is needed to complete their treatment until the end.

After feeling the effects of a ketogenic diet on both their overall sense of well-being and their ability to heal from addiction, many patients choose to integrate this diet into their lives post-rehab.

Some patients will already be practicing a keto diet before entering rehab, while others may discover it during the rehab process – either way, it is likely they will want to maintain this diet after they leave, especially if they are already feeling the benefits from it.

Before leaving rehab, anyone hoping to continue with a keto diet should ensure that they have a good understanding of this type of diet and what foods to eat and avoid if they want to stay on track.

Support groups can be a great resource for keto individuals both during the recovery process and after, and often come in both online or in-person options.

In addition to this, keto individuals may also want to check out other resources in the form of blogs, websites, books, or podcasts that are geared toward the interests of a keto diet.

Achieving sobriety is merely the first step in a long road of recovery, and people need to maintain these behaviors for the long term. This can be easier said than done, but there are several actions that people can take once their program has ended.

Tips for continuing a healthy lifestyle after rehab include:

• Maintain your diet
• Stay active and maintain a regular exercise routine
• Find hobbies or recreational activities you can enjoy with other sober friends
• Have a relapse plan in place in case you encounter triggers or challenges
• Rebuild support networks or find new ones
• Continue with counseling or therapy
• Visit support groups so you can connect with others and share your story

Here are questions that are commonly asked about keto-friendly substance abuse treatment centers.

It can be easier said than done to find an alcohol and drug addiction treatment center that offers specialized diet options, including a keto-friendly diet plan.

No matter what type of rehab center you are seeking, we can help you find it at RehabNet.com, as we have already helped countless individuals find the best recovery options for their situation.

When you are ready to get started on your own journey towards recovery, simply call our helpline or fill out our contact form at any time.