Substance use disorders are among the most prevalent mental health problems. About 15% of the global population is estimated to struggle with it at some point in their life. And the U.S. has had the highest drug overdose death rates among a group of high-income countries for a decade.

High rates of abuse and lethal outcomes make scientists all over the world to focus on discovering effective treatments for different types of substance use disorders (SUDs). New alternative therapies are incorporated into traditional treatment programs to enhance the patients’ progress and achieve longer-term abstinence. Sport is one of them.

For those who want to stop drinking or taking drugs and like sport, it’s best to find “rehab near me”at https://addictionresource.com/drug-rehab/locator/ that provides physical exercise therapy. Rehabilitation centers offer different kinds of exercise courses, from aerobic activities like swimming or dancing to more extreme ones like rock climbing or hiking. From this article, you can find out how effective it is.

Does Exercise Really Help Recover From Addiction?

The results of studies on the role of sports activities in addiction treatment are promising. Iranian scientists conducted an animal study on opioid-addicted rats. It turned out that regular swimming reduced dependence and morphine consumption in rodents.

The researchers suggested that exercise, particularly swimming, may ameliorate some of the deleterious behavioral consequences of morphine dependence in humans. And Danish scientists support this suggestion. They conducted a study on exercise treatment for drug abuse in people.

38 participants (23 men and 15 women) who abused different types of drugs were offered to take part in group exercise sessions 3 times per week for 2 to 6 months. 20 abusers completed the training course and were interviewed one year later. 10 participants cut down their intake, and 5 stopped taking drugs.

So, physical exercise can boost chances for long-term abstinence. Bear it in mind if you are searching the net for “drug rehab near me”.

What Is The Impact Of Sport On People In Treatment?

American and Chinese scientists analyzed 22 studies focused on the effect of physical activities on recovering addicts. They detected two ways it can directly impact addictive behaviors.

  • Exercising can ease withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal syndrome occurs when a person stops drinking alcohol or taking drugs. It commonly involves such psychological signs as anxiety, depression, irritability, anger, and other similar negative feelings. Exercise can relieve this uncomfortable state. It has been proven to ease stress, anxiety, and depression.
  • Physical activity can increase the abstinence rate. It contributes to relapse prevention by reducing drug cravings. Research shows that getting engaged in some type of sports activity helps patients in treatment from alcohol abuse (those who have already completed the withdrawal period) to reduce the intensity of cravings to drink. People recovering from marijuana use disorder and get involved in long periods of training also have weaker cravings for cannabis.

Aside from these improvements, regular exercise can help people struggling with addiction by:

  • reducing inflammation in the body and central nervous system caused by long-term substance abuse;
  • boosting self-efficacy (a person’s belief in their strength to achieve goals and overcome obstacles);
  • providing distraction from urges to use;
  • improving coping skills (hitting the gym instead of the bar).

Of course, the impact depends on the exercise intensity, types of activity, and a person’s diligence in the practice. But it can keep positive moods and help to stay physically strong which is important in battling SUD. It makes sense to enroll in some inpatient drug rehab near me that offers the opportunity to exercise.

Addiction is a disease and it requires a patient to undergo a traditional treatment program in drug rehabs near me. It provides a comprehensive approach that involves initial assessment by a SUD specialist and ongoing monitoring, behavioral therapy (designed to understand the roots of addiction and teach to cope with triggers), and medication. The National Institute on Drug Abuse associates completing a treatment program with higher rates of long-term abstinence.

Sport is one of the alternative treatment methods that enhance the recovery process. According to a recent study, aerobic exercise has a promising potential as an adjunctive treatment method for both alcohol and drug use disorders.

16 participants (11 men and 5 women, average age of 38) were engaged in a 3-month aerobic exercise course of medium intensity. Though they attended 8 sessions out of 12, they demonstrated a substantial increase in the number of sober/clean days. These improvements were especially noticeable if compared to those who did no exercise at all.

Existing studies demonstrate that physical activity can be helpful for dependent patients. Still, experts emphasize the need for more research to find out what types and amounts of exercise are useful in overcoming addiction.

Let’s sum up. Exercise can help beat addiction, primarily by alleviating the withdrawal symptoms and decreasing the risk of relapse. This is why physical activity is currently recommended as a supportive treatment to conventional methods of reducing substance misuse. If you or someone you know need treatment, pay attention to “drug rehab centers near me” when searching for help online.