Compared to the national average, Kentucky is one of the most challenged states dealing with substance misuse, substance use disorder, and overdose. Percentage estimates for 2019-2020 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) indicate an average of 10.69% of Kentuckians aged 12 or older have used illicit drugs over the past month. Communities throughout the state have established substance use recovery programs to support those seeking to overcome addiction. Substance use recovery involves a process of healing the brain. Research shows that during recovery, adding in practices to take care of the body and mind, such as healthy nutrition and being physically active helps the brain heal faster.

The Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center (KIPRC) released in 2022 that Kentucky had 2135 overdose deaths, while 41 of those deaths happened in Boone County. Based on this information, Liz Evans, Boone County Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences brought a nutrition program to Brighton Recovery Center for Women. This center is a 100-bed facility located in Boone County that helps women recover from chronic substance use disorder and addiction and move toward a life of sobriety and productivity. This 5-part nutrition series focused on topics including: improving overall health, healthy cooking, creating meals based on USDA’s MyPlate, healthy eating on a budget, and self-care. Six women attended the series at some point, with three of them attending at least 3 out of the 5 classes. Due to other responsibilities the women have at the center, unfortunately, they were not always able to attend. 

Pre/post data comparisons show that as a result of this program:

• 100% percent agreed that their knowledge of substance use recovery increased.
• 100% percent intend to use self-care strategies to improve their recovery.
• 100% percent intend to eat healthier as they continue their recovery. 
• 100% percent intend to be more physically active as part of their recovery. 

For those who indicated soda consumption, total soda consumption decreased with an added benefit of an increase in water intake. 100% also reported increased confidence with knife skills and food preparation. Attendees were provided with nutritional handouts related to recovery throughout the series and at the end were provided with some basic cooking tools. 

Based on the positive response from the women who attended this nutrition series, it will now be conducted on a quarterly basis at the recovery center.