Title : The gut brain axis in recovery
Abstract:
Recovery from addiction is traditionally approached through psychotherapy, medication, peer support, and behavioral interventions. However, emerging research highlights the significance of physiological factors—such as gastrointestinal inflammation, dysbiosis, and compromised gut barrier function—in influencing mood stability, sleep quality, stress reactivity, and cravings. These symptoms are often misinterpreted as purely psychological or motivational issues, yet they may stem from underlying biological dysregulation that heightens relapse risk.
This session introduces attendees to the gut–brain axis from a recovery-centered clinical perspective. Participants will examine how the intestinal microbiome interacts with neurotransmitter systems—including serotonin, dopamine, and GABA—immune responses, and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. The discussion will also cover how substance use, especially alcohol and other common drugs, can alter microbial diversity, damage the intestinal lining, and promote systemic inflammation, thereby affecting cognition, emotional regulation, and stress resilience.
Designed for professionals across detox, residential, outpatient, and re-entry settings, this presentation emphasizes practical, evidence-informed strategies that can be integrated into everyday recovery care without requiring advanced nutritional expertise. Attendees will learn a stepwise framework for supporting gut health through accessible interventions such as hydration, balanced protein and fiber intake, fermented foods (as tolerated), micronutrient repletion, and inflammation-reducing meal structures. The session also emphasizes trauma-informed communication, client readiness, and the realities of limited resources, time, and food security.
