The McCracken County Drug Court and the McCracken County Cooperative Extension Service recently partnered to deliver the Healthy Choices for Your Recovering Body (HCYRB) curriculum to drug court participants, helping them make lasting changes in their health and recovery journey. With the help of the Senior Nutrition Education Program Assistant, the program reached 13 participants, ranging in age from 23 to 60, offering education and support for healthier living while promoting recovery from substance use.

The HCYRB curriculum was designed to address the unique needs of individuals in substance use recovery, helping them build healthier habits through nutrition education. The program focused on key areas such as healthy eating, food safety, hydration, physical activity, and self-care strategies—all essential for recovery and long-term health.

 Among the 13 participants who completed the program, 46.2% were female. The curriculum not only provided education but also delivered measurable results:

• 69.2% improved their food safety knowledge, ensuring they could handle and prepare meals in a way that protected their health.
• 76.9% gained confidence in their cooking skills, empowering them to prepare nutritious meals on their own.
• 76.9% reported drinking more water, replacing sugary beverages with healthier choices.
• 84.6% made physical activity changes and improved their beverage choices, learning to incorporate more movement and healthy drinks into their daily routines.
• Importantly, 100% of participants agreed that participating in HCYRB increased their knowledge of substance use recovery and provided them with strategies to improve their overall well-being.

 Participants not only made immediate health improvements but also expressed a strong commitment to long-term change. All 13 participants indicated that they intended to use the self-care strategies they learned, continue eating healthier, and remain more physically active to support their recovery from substance use.