Nutrition and substance abuse

Drug addiction and alcoholism represent a major health problem in the US. Veterans in particular have high rates of substance abuse and the VA healthcare system incurs a large portion of the expense. Chemical dependency is associated with malnutrition, and there is increasing evidence to suggest that nutrition can play an important role in recovery. The present study measured attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors towards nutrition, health, and self-care in a population of US veterans enrolled in the MOVE! Weight Management Program. Using anonymous surveys, individuals with a self-reported history of substance abuse were compared to individuals without a history of abuse. The study found that depression leads to overeating for individuals recovering from substance abuse (p = 0.052). Other findings that approached significance suggest that persistence of bad habits in this population is not due to an absence of desire for a better life, but more likely due to the impact of addiction on the brain. Disordered and dysfunctional eating behaviors persist after abstinence has been achieved. The study confirms that self-efficacy is a useful predictor of positive change beliefs. The evidence provided supports the need for greater levels of nutrition care among individuals with a history of drug addiction and/or alcoholism. The impact of nutrition interventions by trained dietitians in substance abuse treatment settings warrants further investigation.