Tell me more about Nutrition in Recovery and the services you offer there.

I offer nutrition counseling for individuals in early recovery from addiction, alcoholism, or eating disorders. I specialize in their co-occurrence, also known as "dual diagnosis". After a comprehensive intake and assessment, I will figure out the best intervention for my patients. Some people need very close monitoring while others need basic guidance and meal planning. I will often meet some of my patients at the grocery store to do some hands-on work and put theory into practice. I meet my clients weekly and slowly make changes that will last a lifetime! I specialize in the nutritional management of: Food Addiction, Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders, and Weight Management, and I also have backgrounds in sports nutrition and general wellness. I also specialize in the male population and work with individuals who struggle with Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder and food-related dysfunction. Lastly, I run groups at various residential treatment centers and outpatient facilities. 

For more info click HERE

Upcoming Webinar On October 3, 2013 1pm PDT: “Nutrition Interventions In Addiction Recovery: The Role Of The Dietitian In Substance Abuse Treatment” By David A. Wiss, MS, RDN, CPT

Thursday October 3, 2013 at 1pm PDT, 3pm CT, and 4pm ET. Duration is 90 minutes. The webinar is offered through the Behavioral Health Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and is approved for CPEs upon completion of quiz afterwards.

Description:
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics published a position paper in 1990 supporting the need for nutrition intervention during treatment and recovery from chemical dependency. The paper promoted the concept that Registered Dietitians are important members of the treatment team and that nutrition education should be integrated into the curriculum rather than “patched on”. Nutrition professionals were urged to “take aggressive action” to increase their involvement in treatment and recovery programs, yet the recommendations were not widely embraced or implemented. In the past 20 years, there has been little progress in incorporating dietitians into drug rehabilitation programs, despite the continued rise in illicit drug abuse. In recent years, research that directly connects food with addiction has gained acceptance and increased public awareness. The purpose of this webinar is to help promote the inclusion of registered dietitians in public and private sector drug and alcohol treatment centers, and to propose intervention guidelines during addiction recovery.

Objectives:
1. Discuss the impact of addictive substances on nutritional status and links to chronic disease
2. Explore disordered and dysfunctional eating patterns in addicted populations
3. Evaluate the impact of nutrition interventions in substance abuse recovery
4. Propose nutrition therapy guidelines for specific substances and for poly-substance abuse

To register click HERE

Nutrition In Recovery

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Genetic and Environmental Factors of Addiction and Chronic Disease - Snapshot of my Research and Writing

The relationship between substance abuse and nutrition is not well understood. Alcoholism and drug addiction is likely a combination of genetic and environmental factors. While certain physiological markers such as family history or blood enzyme levels (objective data) can be used to determine risk factors for alcoholism/addiction, the role of environmental and behavioral influences (subjective) are more difficult to evaluate. An individual with a genetic predisposition to substance abuse may not develop alcohol or drug dependence, while someone without a family history may slide into a cycle of abuse. Physical health and nutrition is similarly complex, influenced both by genetics and the environment. Many individuals with a family history of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension do not develop these chronic diseases, while others without a known genetic link develop these conditions secondary to dietary intake or other factors.

See more writing and articles

Contact David

Purpose, Diet, Career, Coherence, Integrity, Desire, Discipline

“The core of your life is your purpose. Everything in your life, from your diet to your career, must be aligned with your purpose if you are to act with coherence and integrity in the world. If you know your purpose, your deepest desire, then the secret of success is to discipline your life so that you support your deepest purpose and minimize distractions and detours.”

~ David Deida

Food Addiction

Are you curious to learn more about Food Addiction? Please check out my latest peer-reviewed publication on the Behavioral Health Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group Spring 2013 Newsletter.

Have some time to watch the video of an interview addressing Food Addiction? Myself and therapist Alyson Stack discuss nutrition in recovery and some of the controversies on the topic. Click here and scroll down to the video from Klean Radio.

Substance Abuse and Malnourishment - Snapshot of my Research and Writing

Malnutrition associated with substance abuse can be either primary or secondary. Primary malnutrition occurs when substance abuse displaces, reduces, or compromises food intake. Secondary malnutrition occurs when the substance of abuse causes alterations in the absorption, metabolism, utilization, and excretion of nutrients due to compromised oral, gastrointestinal, circulatory, metabolic, and neurological health. Malnutrition impacts all body systems including the immune system, leading to an inadequate response to disease. While the negative effect of alcohol on nutritional status has been well described, the mechanisms behind illicit drug-induced malnourishment remain largely unknown. It is difficult to differentiate between primary and secondary malnourishment within drug-addicted populations. In addition, there are ethical and legal challenges in conducting controlled trials using illicit substances, as well as difficulties with patient follow-up. Most of the data that links nutritional deficiencies to substance abuse is speculative, underpowered, and retrospective. 

LA Marathon #4

Well, it's that time of year again. The LA Marathon is approaching soon. For the fourth year in a row I will walk the 26.2 miles and not run for even one second. It's not that I cannot run, it's that I love to walk. In 2007 I walked for 65 miles and my life was changed forever. I began to identify as a walker. I started taking other people on long walks with me. I started walking marathons. People started walking with me, and also running past me. An organization called Beit T'shuvah began a fundraiser program and I have had the privilege of being a part of those efforts each year.
Perhaps my favorite part of walking the LA marathon is the snacks I prepare for myself. My favorite is the coconut/peanut butter/banana/gu sandwiches on cinnamon raisin bread. I bring a ton of food with me and usually dress unlike the typical runner. Hope you enjoy this "after" photo from 2012.