Improving Nutritional Status of Drug Abusers

Lora Gullett

Kentucky is in the top ten states with the highest level of drug abuse and the fifth for obesity rates. Drug abuse has been shown to contribute to poor nutritional status.  This is due, in part to financial struggles and unstable living situations associated with drug abuse.  These are common obstacles to recovery that can lead to food insecurity, which significantly contributes to the relatively unbalanced diets for drug abusers. Many recovering drug addicts turn to food as a replacement for drugs leading to obesity, which is already prevalent in Kentucky. Educating patients on nutrition resources, budget-friendly options, importance of proper nutrition, and hydration are keys to the substance abuse healing process, necessary to restore physical, mental health, and recovery.

The SNAP-Ed program partnered with Drug Court participants in Rowan and Montgomery Counties to help improve their nutritional status and increase their chance of recovery from drug abuse. The SNAP-Ed program taught the “Healthy Choice for Everybody” curriculum. The lessons consist of a seven (7) lesson series that teaches participants healthy eating habits using lower fat, sodium and sugar alternatives,  importance of being active, budgeting, meal planning, reading labels, food safety, cooking techniques and healthy recipes choices.  Food demonstrations with hands on learning techniques are also part of each class. 

A total of four participants completed the program in Rowan County and five participants in Montgomery County completed all seven lessons with the two SNAP-Ed program educators. Participants that completed the course stated they were sad to see it over, because it gave them incentive to eat right, and to keep them out of trouble.  Follow up with one participant, 6 months after classes found he is still working with other participants in recovery. The participant reported to be using the information from classes on grocery shopping, eating regular meals, and feeding his children.  Referral from him helped smooth the way for our classes to be taught at the Recovery Center he works at, helping others overcome their addiction problems, improving their chance of recovery, and enhancing their nutritional status.