Compared to the national average, Kentucky ranks near the top of the list in states with the number of individuals impacted by 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. Kenton County has established several 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 University of Kentucky’s Healthy Choices for Your Recovering Body is a nutrition and physical activity curriculum designed to support individuals in substance use recovery.  The Kenton County Nutrition Education Program Senior Assistant partnered with the Mary Gandy Travis Residential Treatment Center to offer this seven-lesson program.  Seven females completed the program in the spring, and twenty-two males completed the program during late summer. Participants ranged in age from 18-65 years of age. Some were parents, and some were young single adults. Several of the participants indicated they were homeless.

According to data from the females who completed the series, 100% grew in their confidence to change behaviors to aid in substance use recovery. Eighty percent improved in their confidence levels to manage their food resources more wisely, and 80% improved in their food safety knowledge.  

Also, 100% of the females reported intentions to eat more servings of fruit and eat more servings of vegetables every day; 100% reported intentions to choose healthy snacks; and 71.4% reported intentions to choose drinks low in added sugar after participating in the class. 

All females (100%) agreed that participating in HCYRB had increased their knowledge of substance use recovery and 100% intended to use self-care strategies, eat healthier and be more physically active to improve their recovery. 

Data is still pending for the males who completed the program.  

In addition to those who completed the series, over 80 others completed one or more sessions of the series to support their recovery from substance use disorders.