Knott County, Kentucky tops the nation in drug abuse and is also listed as the fourth unhealthiest county in the state. Much research has been done to show a link to drug abuse and poor nutrition, and how proper nutrition habits play an important role in the rehabilitation process. Most recovering addicts have developed serious nutritional deficiencies of key proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals all of which disrupt their ability to digest carbohydrates and absorb nutrients effectively.

Learning to make healthy food choices is important to achieve a healthy lifestyle. According to the United States National Library of Medicine, a person suffering from substance abuse is more likely to relapse when they have poor eating habits. Besides leaving the addicted malnourished, drug addiction can also lead to other serious issues like homelessness and death. The Lexington Herald reported in March of 2018, that residents across the Appalachia region are fifty-five percent (55%) more likely to die from substance abuse than the rest of the country.

Recognizing the problem and the immediate need for action, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Nutrition Education Program Assistant (NEP) and the Knott County Cooperative Extension Service collaborated with Recovery Kentucky, a network of supportive housing facilities for addicts designed to reduce the states drug problem. Recovery Kentucky is funded in a joint effort by the Department for Local Government, the Department of Corrections and the Kentucky Housing Authority. 

Hickory Hills Rehabilitation Center is an all-male Recovery Kentucky center located in Knott County.  The NEP Assistant taught and continues to teach group lessons on site using the Healthy Choices for Everybody adult curriculum, a series of lessons designed to provide participants with a basic understanding of how to recognize and prepare nutritious foods. The curriculum follows recommendations of the United States Dietary Guidelines and utilizes a variety of teaching aids consisting of food models, nutrition facts labels, sugar and fat tubes and informative handouts. There are seven required lessons participants must attend focusing on cooking skills, emphasizing food safety and budgeting food dollars while promoting physical activity. The NEP assistant meets with groups twice a month after the participants have completed the required entry forms and surveys. 

The NEP assistant recently graduated twenty-two men from the program. Data from pre and post nutritional surveys showed that the overall diet quality of these gentlemen improved by an astounding seventy percent (70%), with eighty-one percent (81%) of participants consuming more fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. The intake of sugary beverages and soda decreased with sixty-seven (67%) of participants reported drinking less of these and replacing such beverages with water. Food safety practices also saw a distinct improvement with sixty percent (60%) of participants washing hands more frequently, sanitizing surfaces, thawing frozen meat safely and using a meat thermometer to ensure foods are cooked to a safe internal temperature. Participants at Hickory Hill Rehabilitation center also showed significant growth in food resource management with eighty percent (80%) of graduates cooking more meals at home, planning meals ahead of time, making a list before shopping and comparing food prices.

The two year collaboration with Hickory Hill Rehabilitation Center of Recovery Kentucky, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Nutrition Education Program Assistant has shown to be a quality investment with positive outcomes.  Participants have expressed they enjoy the lessons and feel comfortable in the small group setting. In fact, one participant shared he had cooked dinner for his family for the first time in a long time which provided him with a feeling of accomplishment and pride. Another participant expressed having more energy after changing his bad eating habits and not consuming sugary drinks. He continued by saying he actually felt really good and was able to play with his kids. 

Proper nutrition and an understanding of healthy food choices is an essential part of a recovery program because they keep the body and brain strong and functioning properly. The NEP assistant will continue to work with more groups at Hickory Hill Rehabilitation Center in the future, with the goal of providing each participant with the basic understanding of nutrition and healthy eating habits. These skills are necessary in order to help participants live healthier, happier lives and become productive members of the community we share, one well-balanced meal at a time.