46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003

FOR THE LEGISLATIVE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS AND ADVANTAGES OF USING NUTRITION AS A COMPONENT OF TREATMENT FOR ALCOHOLISM AND TO INCORPORATE ITS USE INTO STANDARD TREATMENT MODALITIES.

WHEREAS, addiction to alcohol is a critical public health concern to the state of New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, some people have a biochemical predisposition for addiction to alcohol; and

WHEREAS, this predisposition is exacerbated by a diet high in sugar; and

WHEREAS, most people have diets that are very high in sugar; and

WHEREAS, a diet high in sugar can lead to chemical imbalances in the body's natural supply of serotonin and beta endorphins, creating behavioral changes, cravings and attraction to addictive substances; and

WHEREAS, the inclusion of nutrition management in the treatment of alcoholism has been shown to minimize the discomfort of withdrawal, eliminate cravings and create a neurochemical capacity to say "no" to alcohol; and

WHEREAS, such attention to nutrition creates significant, positive behavioral changes and enhances self-esteem biochemically; and

WHEREAS, such a protocol included as part of treatment for alcoholism is low-cost and accessible, requires no medical, psychotherapeutic or dietetic interventions and is demonstrated to reduce recidivism and produce long-lasting results in alcoholics;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of health be requested to evaluate the effectiveness and advantages of using nutrition as a component of treatment for alcoholism and to incorporate its use into standard treatment modalities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of health develop a teaching curriculum for treatment administrators and providers, and a workbook for treatment participants; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that pre- and post-treatment assessment tools be developed to measure the effectiveness of this treatment component; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of health consult with experts in nutrition as a component of treatment for alcoholism in conducting its evaluation and in developing materials; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of health report its findings and recommendations to the interim legislative health and human services committee at its September 2003 meeting; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the department of health and the legislative health and human services committee.