How Exercise Plays A Pivotal Role In Addiction Recovery

Mar 14, 2022BJJEEArticles

As an addiction expert, I consider the possible health benefits of exercise for my patients on a frequent basis.

Every week, I see patients who have serious medical issues as a result of their severe addiction.

I give medication-assisted therapy (MAT) in both settings, including buprenorphine-naloxone for opioid use disorder and extended-release naltrexone for both alcohol and opioid use disorder.

I collaborate closely with therapists and social workers who provide counseling and recommendations to extra services to our patients.

Like this, every medical alcohol detoxification facility in the world incorporates some extra treatment approaches to help patients in addiction recovery, and exercise is one of them.

Let’s find out how exercise plays a pivotal role in addiction recovery.

How Does Exercise Aid Addiction Recovery?

Exercise aids in addiction recovery, which is why so many rehabilitation centers include it as a part of the treatment approach.

Find out more about the benefits of exercise here:

1: Helps You Make Positive Connections With Others In Recovery

Physical activity-promoting organizations for individuals in recovery continue to expand.

The Boston Bulldogs Running Club encourages children and teenagers to be healthy to prevent substance abuse.

Another group, The Phoenix, strives to create an active community of sober people by hosting peer-led CrossFit, yoga, rock climbing, boxing, running, and hiking events.

It was founded in 2006 and has since grown to include free programming in several states.

2: Protects You From The Damage Of Chronic Inflammation

Chronic, low-grade inflammation has been demonstrated to be a silent killer, contributing to cardiovascular disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and they take a toll on people undergoing addiction recovery.

, many patients with various substance use disorders have discovered that exercise helps divert them from cravings, in my experience.

Workouts help to organize your day.

They aid in the formation of positive social ties and when used in conjunction with other therapies, can aid in the treatment of depression and anxiety.

3: Fills Your Time

Many people discover that after they start the recovery process, they have a lot of free time since they no longer think about, purchase, or use a substance.

Depending on how you use your free time, it can be a blessing or a curse.

Exercise is a terrific way to spend this spare time and quickly fill up several hours each week. Keeping yourself occupied during addiction rehabilitation is often beneficial, particularly in the early stages.

Following a regular exercise regimen eliminates the need to make split decisions about what to do with free time throughout the day, where incorrect selections are frequently formed.

4: Provides Structure And Routine

Following a structured pattern is what makes regular exercise so effective at reducing cravings.

Signing up for gym courses or creating a workout routine gives you a daily routine. Joining a group class or telling someone else about your new workout goal will help you stay on track.

Allow workouts to help you organize your day by scheduling them at specific times.

Early morning workouts, for example, can reduce the temptation to stay up late or drink the night before. Likewise, after-work exercise can be used as an excuse to forgo happy hour.

It can be simpler to stay on track if you follow a daily schedule tailored to your regular periods of weakness.

5: Relieves Stress

Since withdrawal from drugs or alcohol can increase tension, reducing stress is critical for anyone recovering from a substance use disorder. In addition, exercise directly impacts the portion of the brain that regulates anxiety and stress.

Exercise, both low- and high-intensity, has been demonstrated to lower stress, assist people in becoming more aware of their mental state, and provide mental respite.

Physical activity also allows people to focus on their body’s movement rather than on stressors, increasing pain-relieving chemicals.

Regular exercise helps manage adrenaline, which helps balance the body’s stress hormone levels. Although adrenaline is a necessary stress hormone for fight-or-flight responses, too much of it can harm one’s overall health.

6: Boosts Your Mood

Exercise releases endorphins and dopamine, which help regulate mood in addition to serotonin. As the body adjusts to operating without drugs or alcohol, mood swings can be difficult for those going through withdrawal or recovery.

Exercise can assist in balancing out these highs and lows by improving your mood. Even 30 minutes of exercise every day might have a favorable effect on mood.

Exercise releases dopamine, a happiness hormone, which is why the euphoric feeling experienced after a workout is commonly referred to as “runner’s high.”

Exercise is a terrific method to obtain a burst of happiness and reinvigorate your attitude on life instead of relying on a hazardous substance.

7: Improves Your Self-Image

Taking care of your body through exercise enhances your self-esteem and makes you feel better about yourself.

Achieving a fitness goal can boost your confidence and remind you that you can accomplish difficult tasks.

This concept is especially significant for those in recovery who struggle with cravings regularly.

According to one study, observing the good consequences of regular exercise can boost former substance users’ overall drive to modify their behavior.

8: Helps You Sleep

Sleep is a vital part of healing since we can’t function at our optimum level or make the best decisions if we don’t get enough rest.

Poor sleep quality is a common cause of fatigue, contributing to relapse.

Despite the importance of good sleep for individuals in recovery, early people often have trouble sleeping through the night due to withdrawal.

Regular exercise can promote better sleep by boosting the recuperative processes to regain strength and improve your health while you sleep. According to studies, doing at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical exercise every week can enhance sleep quality by up to 65%.