Exercise and addiction both might start with A, but their relationship is not that friendly. In fact, they are enough to cut each other. That is why addiction treatment specialists always advise opting for some healthy exercises.
Exercise never fails to do wonders to almost anything and everything. Whether it is about your physical health condition, or mental health issues, or substance abuse and addiction problems, exercise is a great option to start the recovery process and continue it.
If you are into any type of substance abuse and want to step out of it, you should go to a detox centre like Ascendant’s mental health services in Connecticut and start exercising on a regular basis.
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Benefits Of Exercise In Addiction Problem
As per the experts, regular physical activity can play the role of a healthy stand-in for all those addictive substances. This is because both exercise and drugs of misuse work on the same part of one’s brain.
Both of them activate your reward pathway. It triggers the release of all the feel-good chemicals, such as dopamine and serotonin. Here are some of the ways exercise actually can help you conquer an addiction.
1. Curb Cravings
When you are already into addiction, it is obvious that you have already developed an addiction to some specific types of drugs. During those initial days of quitting substance abuse, the cravings become stronger.
In this challenging situation, exercise can actually keep you distracted from cravings or make them a little less powerful.
2. Ease Withdrawal
It is actually proven that if a person opts for exercise on a regular basis, it will help you fight stress, depression, and anxiety. These are the most common symptoms you can get during your recovery and treatment procedure.
They are also responsible for relapse in many cases. So, by eliminating or at least mitigating all these things, you are actually easing some of the major withdrawal symptoms and narrowing the chances of relapsing.
3. Replace Your Triggers
As they say, recovery never ends. You have completed your treatment program that does not mean you have completely recovered. In your daily life, you have to fight with all those triggers.
In this situation, a new exercise routine can provide you the chance to develop a new healthy social network. It also might help you in avoiding those places, people, and activities that might remind you of substance abuse.
4. Boost Your Self Confidence
Substance abuse leaves a person with lower self-esteem and self-confidence. This is why most of the treatment and recovery procedures include therapy sessions to boost that.
At the same time, exercise can actually help you in boosting your self-confidence and self-esteem. So, when you are under treatment and also have completed your treatment, keep yourself active with some healthy exercises.
5. Improve Your Sleep
Do you have SUD?
It is really common to suffer from insomnia when you are trying to avoid alcohol, drugs, or other substances. Now, we all are totally aware of the fact that exercise can improve your sleep quality along with getting more sleep.
Exercise means a lot of or at least a considerate amount of physical activities, which makes you tired. When you get tired, it is obvious that you will fall asleep faster.
6. Assist You In Thinking Clearly
Substance abuse is also the reason why you have become unable to take any decision or think clearly. As some certain drugs affect the brain and central nervous system, this is quite common.
It does not mean you have to leave with improper thinking and decision-making capability. With exercise, you can increase and boost your capability of thinking clearly and making decisions firmly.
7. Improved Mood
Your mood also plays a huge role in your recovery process. After all, you have started this whole substance abuse thing might be because you were feeling low, not into some serious emotional issues.
Exercise can actually help you to improve your mood. It makes you feel fresh, so it is obvious that you will be in an overall good mood. It also accelerates the treatment and your recovery.
8. Increased Energy
During your treatment days, you might feel less energetic. Both your physical and mental energy might drain as you will deal with several withdrawal symptoms and cravings. In this situation, it is really crucial to keep you active and energetic.
You do not need to worry about this as exercise can solve this problem. So, if you are looking for ways to get increased energy during your recovery days, opt for regular exercise.
Some Exercises Types That Helps
Researchers claim that aerobic exercises along with resistance training could help with addiction recovery. However, there is not enough evidence to identify all the physical activities, which will work best here. Studies are still in progress to provide us with the answers.
Here are some of the exercises, which might help you accelerate your recovery process from drug or other substance abuse.
- Light gardening.
- Water aerobics.
- Yoga.
- Heavy gardening, like digging.
- Lunges or squats.
- Sit-ups and push-ups.
During those initial days of your substance abuse treatment, setting up an exercise routine is not at all a bad idea. In case you are not sure about where you should start, consulting with a substance abuse counselor or doctor is indeed a great idea.
At the same time, you also can join the recovery groups in your area. They can have an exercise program, which will be suitable for you and you can join that.
Can Fitness And Exercise Help You Conquer An Addiction Problem?
As we have already mentioned, to date, there have been several studies conducted. Among them, some claim that aerobic exercises have positive effects on substance abuse recovery treatment. On the other hand, there is no concrete proof for that.
Most of the recovery programs include exercise, as it will help you keep active, busy, and in a good mood. So, there is no harm in doing exercises. At the same time, you also should enroll yourself in a proper recovery program.
