Inside a Methadone Clinic: Using Nutrition to Support Addiction Recovery with Patrick Zerwas S02E28

In this episode of Power Up Recovery with Nutrition, Christina Veselak sits down with addiction counselor Patrick Zerwas to explore a powerful but often overlooked dimension of addiction treatment: nutrition and amino acid therapy inside a methadone clinic. Patrick shares his remarkable journey from more than two decades of active addiction to over 26 years in long term recovery and a career dedicated to helping others rebuild their lives. Now working as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor in a medication assisted treatment setting, Patrick brings a rare combination of lived experience, academic training, and clinical practice to the conversation. Together, Christina and Patrick discuss how targeted nutrition, amino acid therapy, and stable blood sugar can help restore brain chemistry during recovery. They explore how neurotransmitter depletion contributes to cravings, mood instability, and relapse vulnerability, and why feeding the brain with protein, essential nutrients, and specific amino acids can dramatically improve treatment outcomes. Patrick also shares real world examples from his work in a methadone clinic, including how nutrients such as tyrosine, glutamine, magnesium, and vitamin C can support withdrawal, reduce cravings, and stabilize mood. Through telehealth counseling and practical coaching, he is helping patients begin to understand how nutrition can complement medication assisted treatment and strengthen recovery. This episode offers an honest look inside addiction treatment and highlights how nutrition, neuroscience, and compassionate counseling can work together to support lasting recovery. Key Topics Covered How Patrick's personal recovery journey led him into addiction counseling What life inside a methadone clinic looks like for patients and clinicians Why nutrition is often the missing piece in addiction recovery programs How neurotransmitter depletion drives cravings, anxiety, and relapse risk The role of amino acid therapy in supporting dopamine, serotonin, and endorphin balance Using tyrosine to help reduce stimulant cravings and support motivation Glutamine for stabilizing blood sugar and reducing sugar cravings Vitamin C and magnesium to support withdrawal and improve medication response Why many patients in recovery are severely protein deficient How food insecurity and limited access to healthy food affect recovery outcomes Teaching practical nutrition skills within addiction treatment settings Why feeding the brain can dramatically improve therapy engagement and emotional stability The role of harm reduction and medication assisted treatment in modern recovery models How nutrition can help people gradually stabilize and rebuild brain chemistry Meet Our Guest Patrick Zerwas, LADC, brings over two decades of professional experience in addiction counseling, supported by long term personal recovery and a lived understanding of substance use disorder. Before entering the profession, Patrick spent 22 years in active addiction, an experience he often describes as being on the "research committee." His journey took him from high school dropout and homelessness to sustained recovery and academic achievement. He graduated Cum Laude from Saint Cloud State University, earning dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Alcohol and Chemical Dependency Counseling and Psychology. This combination of formal education and lived experience informs his direct, pragmatic, and client centered clinical approach. Patrick is currently employed as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor at STS Specialized Treatment Services in Minneapolis, where he works within a Medication Assisted Treatment setting. He also owns and operates Evolution Counseling Services, providing counseling services focused on recovery stabilization, nutrition, behavioral health, and long term change. In addition to his clinical credentials, Patrick is a Level One Certified Recovery Nutrition Coach. He is particularly interested in the intersection of addiction recovery, mental health, neurobiology, and nutrition, and how metabolic health influences relapse risk, mood regulation, and cognitive function. Patrick brings a grounded, evidence informed, and experience tested perspective to conversations about addiction, recovery systems, medication assisted treatment, and the evolving role of nutrition in addiction and mental health treatment. Practical Takeaways Addiction recovery requires rebuilding brain chemistry, not just stopping substances. Many people entering recovery are severely depleted in nutrients and protein. Targeted amino acids can help restore neurotransmitter balance and reduce cravings. Stable blood sugar and regular protein intake are foundational for emotional stability. Vitamin C, magnesium, and amino acids may support withdrawal and medication assisted treatment. Nutrition education can empower people in recovery to rebuild their health and resilience. Feeding the brain is a powerful tool for improving mood, ...