Roles of nutrition educators in substance abuse prevention and rehabilitation programs

Abstract

Summary Nutrition educators need to be actively involved in programs designed to combat alcohol and drug abuse. They need to learn the facts about alcohol and the other social drugs, including the adverse nutritional effects of these substances. They need to provide this information to those individuals who are at risk of becoming alcohol or drug abusers. Educators need to prevent substance abuse by using behavior modification techniques to help counter the development of negative health habits. To communicate effectively, nutrition educators need to use up-to-date methods including computer-assisted, self-instructional materials. When working in alcohol- or drug-abuse programs, they need to provide nutrition education to staffs as well as to patients. They also need to combat nutrition misinformation, especially claims that particular nutrients reverse the long-term effects of alcohol or drug abuse.