Reducing recidivism and improving mental health
Experiencing hopelessness and struggling to manage weight can have detrimental mental effects on a woman, leading to unhealthy eating habits, the misuse of prescription medications and even resorting to drug use as a form of self-medication. Teen girls between the ages of 12 and 17 have a higher likelihood of reporting a substance use disorder within the past year compared to their male peers, with most reporting that they started using drugs or alcohol to lose weight or increase their energy levels. Unfortunately, the side effects associated with weight loss often reinforce the continuation of drug use among women. As a result, addressing issues related to weight concerns, body image and disordered eating behaviors are crucial areas of intervention to prevent relapse.
The University of Nevada Extension developed Healthy Living Sustainable Recovery to address these concerns through direct education and other sustainability efforts in prisons, jails, detention centers and recovery centers. Participants learn about essential macronutrients, micronutrients, meal planning, food label reading, exercise, positive body image and addressing disordered eating practices.
A subsample of the 344 participants in 2023 completed a pre-post clinical and self-report assessment. There was a significant increase in participants’ knowledge of healthy practices, healthier behavior choices and thought processes. In addition, the study observed a substantial enhancement in participants’ attitudes about body image and self-perception, more realistic weight goals, and reported dedicating significantly more time to physical activity. The study also found a decrease in binge eating behaviors and negative eating attitudes. Participants exhibited an improvement in resisting social media influences on appearance. There was also a significant decrease in concerns that weight might trigger relapse.
The Healthy Living Sustainable Recovery Program addresses substance abuse, an underlying issue that often leads to incarceration. It strives to facilitate successful recovery for participants and contributes to breaking the recidivism cycle. The broader societal benefit is alleviating taxpayers’ financial burden from repetitive incarceration of individuals struggling with substance abuse. The comprehensive approach fosters personal transformation and underscores the potential for positive societal change by addressing the systemic issues that contribute to the cycle of incarceration.
Project supported by USDA Capacity – Extension funds. Photo courtesy, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension.
