In this episode of Power Up Recovery with Nutrition, Christina Veselak sits down with Dr. Sarah Nasir, DO, FASAM, a dual board-certified osteopathic family medicine and addiction medicine physician, to explore what it really takes to move from opioid dependence to total recovery.

Dr. Nasir shares how her path began in rural West Virginia, where she witnessed a newborn going through opioid withdrawal, and continued through residency in upstate New York during the height of the prescription opioid crackdown. Today, she serves as a medical director for a methadone clinic serving patients across California.

Together, Christina and Dr. Nasir explore why recovery is more than taking a medication and showing up for appointments. They discuss how substances change the body’s natural chemistry, why withdrawal and cravings are the body’s alarm system, how sugar can quietly become a replacement addiction, and why nutrition, sleep, relationships, finances, and purpose all matter in lasting recovery.

This conversation also features a lively, respectful discussion about sugar, balance, and what it means to have a “pathological relationship” with a substance, offering a thoughtful look at how a nutritionist and a physician can learn from each other.

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KEY TOPICS COVERED

• Why Dr. Nasir believes people are not broken, but operating within misaligned systems • How opioids change the body’s natural chemistry, receptors, and baseline • Why withdrawal symptoms are the body’s alarm and cravings are its call for safety • How sugar may become a replacement addiction in early recovery • Why some people in long-term recovery may remain tied to sugar for years • The role of protein, blood sugar stability, and amino acids in rebuilding brain chemistry • The difference between enjoying treats and having a pathological relationship with food • Dr. Nasir’s six dimensions of recovery: physical, mental, spiritual, social, financial, and purpose • Her three phases of treatment: induction, maintenance, and taper • Why language and stigma matter in addiction care • How collaboration between providers can help heal a broken healthcare system

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MEET OUR GUEST

Dr. Sarah Nasir, DO, FASAM, is a dual board-certified osteopathic family and addiction medicine physician, multipreneur, international speaker, and founder working at the intersection of medicine, identity, purpose, and impact.

• Engineering degree from UC Davis • Graduate of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine • National Health Service Corps physician serving underserved communities, including people experiencing homelessness and migrant populations • Medical director for a methadone clinic serving patients across California • Founder of Zenara Care, a California telemedicine practice • Founder of a coaching company for those outside California building the next chapter of their lives

Her conviction is simple: human beings are not broken. They are operating within misaligned systems, and she has dedicated her life to building the systems that bring them back to wholeness.

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CONNECT WITH DR. SARAH NASIR

• Website: https://sarahnasir.com • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahnasirdo • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrSarahNasirDO

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PRACTICAL TAKEAWAYS

• Withdrawal symptoms are signals that the body is out of balance, not a sign of personal failure • Eating about 20 grams of protein every four hours may help stabilize blood sugar and reduce cravings • Watch for sugar or ultra-processed foods becoming a new way to manage cravings or emotions • Treats can be enjoyed as treats, not as a substitute for meals or for a previous substance • Recovery medication can be a support while you rebuild sleep, nutrition, relationships, and purpose • Give yourself time in the maintenance phase to address all areas of your life before tapering • How we talk about addiction matters; reducing shame can make recovery more possible • Working with a team of providers often offers more support than any single provider can give

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RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Zenara Care – Dr. Nasir’s California telemedicine practice for addiction and recovery care • The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous – discussed in relation to the historical use of candy to manage cravings • Amino Acid Therapy – discussed as nutritional support for rebuilding depleted neurotransmitters • Christina’s book – discussed in relation to protein, blood sugar, and early recovery nutrition • Nutrition & Amino Acids in a Methadone Clinic with Patrick Zerwas – a previous Power Up Recovery episode referenced in this conversation • The osteopathic principles of Dr. Andrew Taylor Still – the foundation for Dr. Nasir’s whole-person approach

Interested in Sponsoring the Podcast? The Power Up Recovery with Nutrition Podcast reaches an audience interested in addiction recovery, mental health nutrition, amino acid therapy, and brain-based recovery support. If your organization, program, or brand aligns with this mission, we invite you to explore podcast sponsorship opportunities.

Learn more here: https://aminoacidtherapy.com/podcast-sponsorship-opportunities/

Explore recovery nutrition resources, courses, and professional training from the Academy for Addiction and Mental Health Nutrition: https://aminoacidtherapy.com/

Learn more about the Feeding the Recovering Brain movement: https://feedtherecoveringbrain.com/

Support the nonprofit initiative Eating Protein Saves Lives, and help spread the message that protein throughout the day can support brain health, cravings, and recovery: https://eatingproteinsaveslives.org/

Start with Christina Veselak’s book, EAT! A Guide to Radiant Recovery Using Food and Amino Acids to Repair the Addicted Brain and Reduce Cravings: https://www.eatforrecovery.com/

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information shared is meant to inform and empower listeners but should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for personalized care and treatment.

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