Page 34 - Petelin, Ana. 2024. Ed. Zdravje delovno aktivnih in starejših odraslih | Health of the Working-Age and Older Adults. Zbornik prispevkov z recenzijo | Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press

Introduction
Substance addiction is well-known in society and is defined by diagnostic cri-
teria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and
the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) (Zou et al., 2017). Overcom-
ing addiction is a complex process involving personal decisions, profession-
al help and family support. There are many addiction treatment programmes
available in Slovenia, of which we will focus on the therapeutic community
Skupnost Srečanje in this article. Founded by the Italian priest Pierino Gelmini,
this community serves as a therapeutic setting for substance abusers, where in-
dividuals learn to establish routines that include work, rest and healthy eat-
ing habits. The community provides three meals with specific food quantities
that the participants prepare themselves (Blažič, 2007; Gelmini Pierino, 2014).
Cunningham (2016) highlights nutritional issues among substance abusers, as
chronic use leads to protein-energy malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies, exhaus-
tion, and loss of muscle mass. Wiss (2019) adds that eating during abstinence
34
is challenging due to new emotions and anxiety, often leading to overeating as
a form of comfort, which explains weight gain after substance cessation. They
zdravje delovno aktivnih in starejših odraslih | health of working-age and older adults
also emphasize the importance of proper nutrition in addiction treatment, as
it reduces the consumption of unhealthy food, raises awareness of healthy eat-
ing habits, and promotes recovery. Slovenian Ministry of Health (2008) warns
that food is a source of energy for body functions and regeneration, but poor
nutrition can increase the risk of high blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood
sugar, leading to various diseases. There is limited data on nutrition in thera-
peutic communities, but studies have shown that incorporating culinary pro-
grams and nutritional interventions can improve the eating habits and health
status of the participants (Cowan and Devine, 2012; Moore, Gray, Wiss and
Parker, 2016). Skupnost Srečanje provides a basic menu with the possibility to
adapt for special diets or allergies. Participants learn frugality and responsi-
bility towards food, as they are instructed to eat everything on their plate. At
the beginning of each month, the participants decide whether they would like
full meals or only half portions. At the present moment, every participant re-
ceives large meal portions, with one participant following a vegetarian diet. It
is important to note that in all three meals, participants have unlimited access
to bread and fruit (personal testimony of the participants of Skupnost Srečan-
je, April 2, 2023).

Methods

In the theoretical part, we used a descriptive method and participant observa-
tion in the therapeutic community Skupnost Srečanje in Nova Gorica. We re-
viewed literature on eating habits and healthy eating recommendations avail-
able in databases. The empirical part included a quantitative study with body
measurements (Tanita, BC730) and analysis of the weekly menu (OPEN) to as-
sess participants’ dietary intake. Body composition measurements were tak-
en in the morning, on an empty stomach, with 0.5 kg deducted for clothing.