This session will provide an evidence‑informed overview of the impact nutrition has on substance use/misuse —including opioids and stimulants— and its role in recovery. We’ll discuss how mood, recovery and relapse are directly influenced by common nutritional and physiological disturbances such as disrupted eating and activity patterns, insomnia, nutrient deficiencies, weight and metabolism imbalances, dieting, blood sugar instability, cravings, and gut problems. We’ll explore the science, learn to recognize and apply actionable tools to help improve treatment outcomes and reduce relapse vulnerability. Practical, low‑barrier resources, strategies and interventions will be discussed that integrate nutrition into care without adding burden to staff or clients including brief nutrition education, fiber and protein “anchors,” complex carbohydrates and blood sugar regulation, hydration, accessible snacking and budget‑friendly meal planning suitable for clients in real‑world treatment settings.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Explain the negative consequences of poor nutrition in substances of use, with attention to opioid and stimulant-specific effects.
- Identify common nutritional and physiological factors that positively influence mood, recovery and relapse related to substance use.
- Implement simple, actionable tools that help integrate nutrition strategies and interventions into care to improve treatment outcomes without adding burden to staff or clients.
Presented by: Annie R. Lindsay, PhD, FACSM
Dr. Lindsay is a Professor and Extension Specialist at the University of Nevada Reno. She conducts research, assesses, identifies, and responds to public and behavioral health issues across the lifespan. She has conducted interdisciplinary health-related research approaches to help individuals in recovery with a focus on resilience and evidence-based programming addressing poor nutrition, eating pathology, physical inactivity, and body dissatisfaction to augment existing treatment for substance use in prisons and recovery centers. She serves as expert panel for the Pacific Southwest Rural Opioid Technical Assistance project and conducts clinical trainings for the Center for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies and Addiction Technology Transfer Center Networks. Dr. Lindsay has published several peer reviewed journal articles, fact sheets and creative audio-visual projects. A fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, she serves on numerous local/national committees, advisory boards and editorial panels; and has received several awards for her work.
Continuing Education Units: 1.5 CEUs
This training is approved for continuing education by the boards listed here.
This course is also approved by the Nevada Certification Board for the following professional certifications:
- Community Health Workers (CHW)
- Peer Recovery and Support Specialists (PRSS) and PRSS Supervisors (PRSS-S)
Funding for this activity was made possible in whole or in part by the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Director’s Office through the Fund for a Resilient Nevada, established in Nevada Revised Statutes 433.712 through 433.744. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in our courses are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Nevada Opioid Center of Excellence or its funders.