Impact of a program to improve nutrition, body image and health behaviors

Programs that integrate nutrition education, body-image support and behavior-change strategies can significantly improve recovery outcomes for women in substance-use treatment.

Weight-related concerns related to drug use for women in substance abuse treatment

Women in substance-use treatment increasingly report weight-related concerns as a factor influencing drug use. Worries about weight gain and body image can also affect relapse risk during recovery. Research shows that these concerns are linked to higher levels of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating, highlighting the importance of addressing weight and body image as part of comprehensive treatment and recovery support. 

A gender-specific approach to improving substance abuse treatment for women: Extension's Healthy Steps to Freedom Program

Women increasingly report using drugs to manage or lose weight, highlighting the need for substance-use treatment programs to address body image, weight concerns and eating-related behaviors. This study evaluated Extension's 12-week supplemental program, Healthy Steps to Freedom, designed to support women in treatment who struggle with weight concerns. Results showed improvements in nutrition knowledge and healthy behaviors, along with significant reductions in body dissatisfaction, thin-ideal beliefs and eating disorder symptoms.

Additional resources

• Substance-use recovery and diet
• Nutrition matters in substance abuse recovery
• Diet, nutrition and substance-use disorder