This review investigates the role of nutrition in opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment, highlighting how baseline deficiencies and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) shape recovery outcomes. Patients often enter treatment with poor diets and widespread deficits in B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin C, magnesium, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids, which affect neurotransmission, immunity, and relapse risk. While MAT improves caloric intake and stability, it rarely resolves micronutrient imbalances and may worsen absorption through gastrointestinal effects. Evidence supports targeted supplementation—such as omega-3s, B-complex vitamins, vitamin D, magnesium, and antioxidants—to improve cognition, mood, and resilience, alongside dietary interventions like Mediterranean-style eating and food security programs. The report concludes that routine nutritional screening, integration of dietitians into recovery teams, and combined clinical-pharmaceutical approaches can significantly enhance the effectiveness of OUD treatment.
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