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Drug and Alcohol Recovery Fitness Specialist

CPDs : 6

This course covers the pathophysiology of Substance and Alcohol Use Disorders and co morbidities which will contribute to orthopedic, physiological, and psychological considerations when working with this population in the fitness/training setting. The course will be broken up into 10 modules and require 12.5 hours of course time to complete. The learner will understand how to choose appropriate assessments and create safe and effective programming to meet the unique needs of this population. The learner shall also understand how to support their clients through the immediate recovery (post-detox) phase and in the months or years to follow as a relapse prevention strategy. The learner shall also acquire strategies to apply this knowledge to grow their training business in all settings (in-patient, outpatient/halfway house, community).

Suggested Pre-requisite:

  • CIMSPA: L2 Gym / Group Ex

Learners will:

  • Demonstrate understanding of the pathophysiology of abuse of alcohol, opiates, and stimulants.
  • Demonstrate understanding of the common movement compensations which may be seen in this population through all phases of Recovery.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the nutritional considerations which may be relevant in this population as well as how to collaborate with a Registered Dietician and physician regarding nutrition and exercise prescription.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of all settings where this population may be encountered (inpatient, outpatient/halfway house, community) and how to create safe and effective programming in all settings.
  • Select appropriate fitness assessments and correctly identify the frequency of when assessments need to be conducted.
  • Create safe and effective programming based on the client’s individual needs taking into consideration their history of substance abuse and other co-morbidities in the personal training setting.
  • Apply strategies to support their client through relapse prevention.
  • Apply knowledge to create a business plan to support this population.

Author Bio



Nicole Golden has been a health/fitness professional since 2014 when she left the field of education to pursue a full-time career in fitness. Nicole holds a Master of Science degree from Concordia University Chicago in Applied Exercise Science with a concentration in Sports Nutrition. She is a NASM Master Trainer, CES, FNS, BCS, CSCS (NSCA) and AFAA certified group fitness instructor. Nicole is a sports nutritionist (CISSN) certified through the International Society of Sports Nutrition. She is the owner of FWF Wellness where she specializes in corrective exercise, nutrition coaching, and training special populations. She has a great deal of experience working with a wide variety of clients including female athletes, cancer survivors, older adults with medical comorbidities, and clients who have undergone bariatric surgery. She also has a special interest in coaching clients in recovery from substance use disorders and has coordinated and implemented fitness programs in and out of a local drug rehabilitation facility since 2016.

She is the author of the Drug and Alcohol Recovery Fitness Specialist online course - the first course of its kind, providing fitness professionals the education required to work successfully with individuals in recovery from substance use disorders. Nicole enjoys spending time with her husband and five children when she is not training clients or teaching fitness classes.