Nurse-Led Evidence-Based Diabetes Prevention Study: An Innovative Risk Reduction Program for Clients With Substance...

Clients with substance use disorders (SUDs) have a substantial risk of developing Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The connection between SUD and DM stems from rapid cell damage, pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction, and glucose dysregulation due to increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant activity. This study aims to reduce the risk of T2DM among individuals undergoing SUD recovery treatments.

This nurse-led diabetes prevention program, a 1-year-long, peer-based intervention, was implemented among clients at a federally funded, stand-alone drug addictions treatment center based on evidence that lifestyle modifications in dietary control, physical activity, and health behaviors can halt or delay the progression of Type 2 diabetes. Four trained peer educators delivered diabetes prevention interventions to a sample of individuals in drug addiction treatment in Nigeria. The nurse program leader provided weekly mentoring and guidance to the peer educators and collected, reviewed, and analyzed study participants' logs of weights and self-reported lifestyle modifications.

There were significant differences in participants' behaviors pre- and post-lifestyle interventions, except in dairy product intakes as well as cigarette and cannabis use.

This diabetes prevention program is innovative and effective with this at-risk population. Interventions were delivered with minor financial resources.

SUD treatment must address physical and psychological health and consider the heightened risks of chronic illness in this population. Preventing somatic diseases, such as T2DM, is vital to long-term health and well-being.