Successful Challenge with Recovery Center

Across most generations, genders, and demographics in the United States, the use of the substance has increased. There are many different types of drugs being used for substance abuse and affect the body in many ways. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, in 2017 Kentucky had a higher rate than the national rate of deaths due to substance abuse. Many substance abuse rehabs have opened up across Kentucky. In Montgomery County, there is all-male rehab, Shepherds Shelter. This rehab takes males in from all different areas, and with different ways of life. 

Montgomery County Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) assistant with Kentucky State University has been providing Healthy Choices for Everyone curriculum for the patients once a week from this year. Some patients enter the program with little or no knowledge of healthy eating habits, or the importance of the physical activity. In April 2019, the assistant started a physical activity challenge with the group. With this challenge, a walking path among Shepherds Shelter began. The SNAP assistant walked the trail with the patients to get a measurement of how many laps would make a mile and to help encourage physical activity for this group. A spreadsheet was developed for the patients to keep track of the laps they walked during the week. Many patients had never walked just for exercise and fun. The assistant also provided useful skills while in the kitchen. The patients had hands-on experiences making healthy recipes. Some ingredients would come out of their garden, in which they learned how to grow a garden and prepare the foods. 

One of the patients walked over 300 laps for the challenge. His other teammates also increased their daily walking steps. Many times they would walk the trail two or three times a day. As a group, they now have taken the physical activity to a new level, by going to area parks to walk the trails, making it a day trip once a month. They also learned the skills to prepare healthy recipes in the kitchen, they were able to make Colorful Quesadillas which they liked so well, and it is now part of their menu. The SNAP program has lead Shepherds Shelter to a healthier start, mentally and physically. The patients have increased their energy, sleep better, more focused, and have more self-esteem. This has been a big part of their recovery by gaining the skills to take with them as they complete their patient care.