Relationship Between Exercise and Addiction Recovery
Addiction is a curable health disorder. But about 60% of the addicts who complete a circle of recovery for substance use disorder start addiction again within 1 year. That is why researchers are finding new ways to cure this condition effectively and prevent relapse.
But the good news is that only exercise can be the most effective way to overcome this problem.
Benefits of Exercise
Researchers think regular physical exercise can prove as a healthy stand-in for substance addiction. And why this happens? This happens because both drug addiction and exercise work in the same part of the brain. Both of them activate the reward pathway of your brain and stimulate the release of pleasure chemicals like dopamine and serotonin.
Although we need more research on how physical activity affects the addiction, here are some ways in which physical activity might work for you:
Ease withdrawal
Regular exercise can lessen stress, anxiety, and depression.
Curb cravings
You can face strong cravings for drugs and other substances during recovery. Exercise is the thing that can keep your attention away from the cravings for addictive substances.
Replace your triggers
Trying new exercises can keep you involved in something interesting and increase your healthy social interactions. This might help you to stay away from the places, people, and events related to your previous addiction.
Help you think clearly
Regular physical activity can help one’s mind work better. When your thoughts are more stable and positive it will prevent the odds of relapse.
Improve your sleep
If you have substance use disorder (SUD), it is common to have insomnia while you try to avoid addictive substances. Regular physical activity might help you sleep better and get a full-time rest at night.
Boost your self-control and self-esteem
With exercise, you can feel better and manage stressful stuff around you.
Exercises That Can Help
Previous researches show that aerobic exercise and resistance training can help you in addiction recovery. But now, there are not enough confirmations to say that one kind of physical exercise is better than another. Future studies will help us more regarding the relationship between exercise and addiction recovery.
Aerobic exercises can help you build your cardio health. That includes:
- Running
- Walking
- Swimming
- Boxing
- Light gardening
- Water aerobics
- Dancing
- Hiking
Strength training or resistance exercises work on your muscles. Examples include:
- Some kinds of yoga
- Heavy gardening, such as digging
- Weightlifting
- Squats or lunges
- Push-ups or sit-ups
Set up your exercise in early recovery
If you don’t know where to start, talk to your substance use counselor or doctor about how to start effectively. You can also seek help from the recovery groups in your area. They might have some better exercise techniques and programs for you to join.
How Much Should You Exercise?
Researchers don’t know what “dose” of exercise is the most helpful. Until you know more, you can make a target for the same amount of physical activity as everyone else. That’s at least one hundred and fifty (150) minutes of moderate or seventy-five (75) minutes of intense exercise per week. Also add strength training to your weekly routine, at least twice a week.
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What Are the Long Term Benefits of the 12-Step Program?
The 12-step recovery program in South Florida is a popular therapy that has been around for many years. It is designed to help people struggling with addiction get out of trouble and regain sober life. While it might not be an easy journey, it’s worth it. The 12-step program has many benefits for addiction recovery, which include:
1. Gives You Hope and a Sense of Direction
Typically, most patients struggling with addiction don’t have a clear vision of how they want their life to be. The 12-step program gives them a sense of direction and hope. It allows them to make changes in their life that will affect their future.
2. Helps with Self-Acceptance
One of the issues most patients deal with during addiction recovery is the issue of self-acceptance. They often struggle with how they feel about themselves and how other people see them. The 12-step recovery program in South Florida helps to develop a sense of self-acceptance as a patient works on developing a new way of thinking about themselves and their lives.
Additionally, the program requires you to be active. It encourages the patient to take action in their recovery process. It shows them that they can make changes in their lives and do it independently.
3. Helps Patients Integrate Positive Behaviors into their Lifestyle
One of the most critical aspects of addiction recovery is to develop a new, positive way of living. The 12-step program helps to create this new way of living. It teaches the patient that they can change their lives for the better and do it independently.
The program also helps patients learn how to incorporate positive behaviors into their lifestyles. This means learning how to live with moderation and avoiding excesses in their lives. In addition, the program gives them a sense of self-control, which is very important for anyone looking for addiction recovery.
4. Instills a Sense of Accountability
The 12-step program teaches people accountability. It helps them learn that they are responsible for how they live their lives and that they need to take responsibility for their choices.
They learn to take full responsibility for their actions, which is an essential step in recovery from addictions. This is a crucial lesson that many people fail to learn, and it can lead to relapse in recovery if it is not understood properly.
The program also helps patients make changes without relying on others or taking medication as a crutch. These changes are made by working on themselves and developing good habits that will help them live a good life in the future. Most people find it difficult to change how they live, and the program helps them do so.
5. Helps Achieve Long-Term Sobriety
The 12-step program teaches people to live a sober life and be happy and healthy. They learn how to deal with their problems, which is something that many people do not discover on their own. The program also teaches them the importance of being honest and truthful, essential for anyone looking for addiction recovery.
Generally, the 12-step program is very effective for those looking for recovery from addictions in South Florida. It helps them to stay sober and to develop healthy relationships with others.
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