According to a 2020 study published by the National Institute of Health, nearly 5% of the world population use drugs daily.  People who have or currently use drugs (PWUD) are a susceptible population and research shows that their nutritional status is characterized by malnutrition.  By offering programs to increase nutrition knowledge, it is hoped that these individuals will make healthier food choices, improving their overall health and increasing their success in their recovery from SUD.

 Chrysalis House is an addiction treatment center in Lexington, Kentucky that participates in nutrition programming offered by the Fayette County Cooperative Extension Service.  According to the survey data collected following the completion of nutrition classes in the Fall of 2022, 83 percent of participants showed improvement in food resource management practices, such as, cooking dinner at home more often, planning meals before shopping, comparing food prices and utilizing a shopping list.  It is hoped that by properly planning and cooking more meals at home, individuals in recovery for SUD will eat more nutrient rich foods, save money, explore new interests and be more successful in their recovery journey.

 During a recent trip to the grocery store, the Fayette County Nutrition Education Program Assistant was stopped by a former participant from Chrysalis House.  She wanted to tell me that she is doing great in her recovery journey and wanted to thank me for helping to improve her nutrition knowledge and encouraging her to cook more, especially with fruits and vegetables.  She was excited to show me the fresh produce she was purchasing and tell me about the recipes she had been cooking.