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

Do your recommendations differ depending on what substance the individual is withdrawing from (i.e. alcohol, opiates, stimulants, etc.)?

Absolutely. I will often use laboratory data to warrant any aggressive nutrient interventions but there are some guiding principles that are important for each substance. For example, alcohol and opiates create the most gut dysfunction, whereas meth creates the most oral dysfunction. Cocaine use has been associated with essential fatty acid deficiency as well as neurohormonal alterations that can lead to rapid weight gain. All substances are associated with an increased preference for sugar and "comfort food". For more information about specific nutritional deficiencies associated with specific substances, refer to the slideshow at: http://www.nutritioninrecovery.com/food-addiction/nutrition-interventions-in-addiction-recovery-the-role-of-the-dietitian-in-substance-abuse-treatment-2/

For more info click HERE

Why is Proper Nutrition so Important for Recovering Addicts?

At the most basic level, substance abuse is associated with both primary and secondary malnutrition. Primary malnourishment occurs when the substance reduces or displaces food intake. Secondary malnutrition occurs when there are alterations in the absorption, metabolism, utilization, and excretion of nutrients due to compromised oral, gastrointestinal, circulatory, metabolic, and neurological health. An example is thiamine deficiency common in alcoholics, which is both primary and secondary.

Other primary goals of nutrition therapy for addiction recovery includes: healing the gut function, disrupting the potential for cross-addiction into food, recovering compromised neurological function, and stabilizing the endocrine system (hormones). Other goals can include achieving a healthy body weight and avoiding excessive and persistent weight gain, although concerns about weight should be secondary to concerns about overall health. Individuals with a history of addiction are at higher risk for developing disordered eating behavior (and vice versa), therefore it is important that nutrition behavior be monitored by a qualified professional such as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist specializing in behavioral health.

For more info, visit Nutrition In Recovery 

Susan B. Krevoy Eating Disorders Treatment Program

David A. Wiss, MS, RDN, CPT has teamed up with Dr. Susan Krevoy to provide affordable outpatient treatment for individuals struggling with eating disorders. The Nutrition In Recovery group will be conducted on Thursday nights from 6:00-7:30pm at 9454 Wilshire Blvd., Penthouse, Beverly Hills, CA 90212. Click HERE to meet the treatment team and check out the incredible introductory offers! 

What is Nutrition In Recovery's Nutritional Approach to Binge Eating Disorder?

Binge Eating Disorder is now officially recognized as an eating disorder. More and more people are seeking treatment for this condition, which has been linked to Food Addiction.

Nutrition In Recovery owner David A. Wiss, MS, RDN, CPT specializes in the treatment of Binge Eating Disorder and Food Addiction. Find out more about his approach by clicking HERE

Nutrition Interventions in Addiction Recovery

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 negatively impacts all body systems including the immune system, leading to an inadequate response to disease. While the harmful 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.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) published a position paper in 1990 supporting the need for nutrition intervention in treatment and recovery from chemical dependency. The paper promoted the concept that Registered Dietitians (RDs) are essential members of the treatment team and that nutrition care should be integrated into the protocol rather than “patched on.” Nutrition professionals were urged to “take aggressive action to ensure involvement in treatment and recovery programs." In the past 20 years, there has been little progress in incorporating dietitians into drug rehabilitation programs, despite the continued explosion of illicit drug abuse. The reasons for this are multifactorial and include: lack of interest from RDs, limited funding for new initiatives, non-collaboration between the public and private sector, difficulties conducting research on this population, and the associated stigmas of substance abuse.

Once sobriety has been achieved, altered biochemistry and dysfunctional behavior resulting from substance abuse often persists. The practice of making healthful food choices while abstinent from drugs and alcohol may be challenging in the early stages of recovery. Sobriety often creates new emotions, anxiety, and uncertainty. Patients often seek a predictable and comforting response from food, which can lead to overeating, relapse, compromised quality of life, and the development of chronic disease. Increased caloric intake and excessive consumption of sugar, salt, and fat often leads to obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, which in turn increases the risk for cardiovascular disease and the clinical burden associated with substance abuse. Recent findings suggest that even a remote history of substance abuse can negatively impact weight loss. Evidence to date indicates that individuals in recovery will benefit from learning new behaviors with respect to food and nutrition. There is also an increasing body of literature that suggests nutrition interventions in substance abuse treatment lead to improved outcomes, yet we need more investigators willing to conduct controlled trials. Please consider this topic for your Master's Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation. 

What is Nutrition In Recovery's Position on Food Addiction?

Food Addiction is real. Brain imaging studies have discovered that compulsive overeaters share many of the same characteristics of drug addicts. Many individuals are willing to go great lengths to obtain food to satisfy their cravings, also known as "food motivation." Dopaminergic brain pathways have been implicated in connection with binge eating disorder. Additionally, many individuals develop tolerance and withdrawal from by-products of food such as refined grains, and added sugars, salts, and fats. Furthermore, many people continue to consume harmful food products despite negative consequences such as the threat of amputation secondary to type-2 diabetes and congestive heart failure related to high sodium intake.

To read more about Food Addiction and the solution that is available, please 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

Role of the Registered Dietitian in Addiction Treatment

In the past 20 years, there has been little progress in incorporating trained registered dietitians into drug rehabilitation programs, despite the continued explosion of illicit drug abuse. The reasons for this are multifactorial and include: lack of interest, limited funding for new initiatives, non-collaboration between the public and private sector, difficulties conducting research on this population, and the associated stigmas of substance abuse.

There is now increasing evidence to suggest that nutrition can play an important role in addiction recovery. Addicts in recovery often benefit from learning new behaviors with respect to food and nutrition. Small changes in nutrition and health behavior can increase general self-efficacy with respect to abstinence from alcohol and drugs, and often contribute to increased sobriety time and increased quality of life.

Visit HERE for the full article! 

How Does Exercise Fit Into Addiction Recovery?

Exercise is a well-supported concept in the treatment of mental health issues, having profound effects on cognitive abilities. Aerobic activity transforms both the body and the mind. Nutrition In Recovery supports the concept of regular exercise during recovery. Emphasis should also be placed on improving posture and movement patterns, and improving brain blood flow.

To read more, click HERE

Nutrition In Recovery – Why is nutrition important for addiction recovery?

Nutrition In Recovery – Why is nutrition important for addiction recovery?

Publication on Special Issues in the Treatment of Males with Eating Disorders Coming Soon!

Research on eating disorders in the male population is still in its infancy. Muscle dysmorphia appears to be a growing concern among males and is associated with steroid abuse, substance use disorders, and other comorbidities that are often undetected or not properly treated...