Using Exercise to Aid Alcohol and Drug Recovery

Using Exercise to Aid Alcohol and Drug Recovery Addiction Coping and Recovery Overcoming Addiction Print Using Exercise to Aid Alcohol and Drug Recovery Multiple Benefits to Getting Active By Buddy T facebook twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial policy Buddy T Updated on June 24, 2019 Getting Motivated Is the Key. © Getty Images More in Addiction Coping and Recovery Overcoming Addiction Methods and Support Personal Stories Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Drug Use Nicotine Use Many professional alcohol and drug treatment and rehabilitation programs include exercise as part of an overall program to help patients maintain abstinence and develop a more healthy lifestyle. Many residential treatment centers feature fully-equipped exercise facilities on the premises. Traditionally, the main reason exercise has been recommended for those trying to quit alcohol and drugs is because it keeps them focused on something other than their withdrawal symptoms or cravings. Now, however, there may be evidence that exercise has additional benefits to those who want to avoid drinking and using drugs. Research Shows Exercise Can Help The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has set aside $4 million for scientific research to explore a possible role for physical activity in substance abuse and relapse prevention. When announcing the funding, NIDA director Dr. Nora Volkow cited two studies that have shown exercise to be a benefit. In one, adolescents who exercised daily were half as likely to smoke cigarettes as their sedentary counterparts, and 40% less likely to experiment with marijuana. In another study, women who were in a smoking-cessation program doubled their chances of quitting by adding exercise to their routines three days a week, compared to women in the study who did not exercise. They also had less weight gain. Everyone Can Benefit If exercise can help people in residential treatment facilities and subjects in scientific studies, it can benefit anyone trying to quit drinking and drugging or striving to maintain abstinence. Exercise is something to which everyone has access. You dont have to become a world-class athlete to enjoy the benefits of exercise as part of your recovery. You dont have to join a professional gymnasium, hire a personal trainer or buy expensive equipment, although those options can be beneficial also. Exercise is something that you can do on your own. Before You Start Not everyone is healthy enough to jump right into a full-blown exercise regime. If you have not exercised lately and you have been sedentary for more than a year, you need to see your doctor and get a check-up before you begin any exercise program. If you have any medical conditions -- such as heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure -- you definitely need to check with your healthcare provider before beginning exercise. Also, if you are pregnant, have chronic back or neck pain or are recovering from an injury, check with your doctor first. Getting Motivated Sometimes, the hardest part of exercising is getting started. Long-time Verywell.com Exercise Expert Paige Waehner has some good tips on how to get motivated to exercise. She also points out how you can benefit from low-impact exercise, especially if you are a beginner. Getting Motivated to ExerciseGetting a Good Workout with Low Impact ExerciseExercise for Beginners Walking for Your Health Walking is a form of exercise that almost anyone can do and it can have significant benefits -- not only for cardiovascular health but also for weight loss. Verywell.com Walking Expert Wendy Bumgardner has tips for those new to walking for exercise and warns about mistakes you should avoid. How to Walk for Absolute Beginners10 Walking Mistakes to AvoidAre 15 Minute Walks Any Good? Jogging and Running If walking is not enough exercise to keep up your interest, running or jogging is another option that you can do without a lot of expensive equipment or memberships. Running and Jogging Guide Christine Luff has an eight-week plan to help you get started and some tips on avoiding pain and injuries. How To Get Started With RunningHow To Warm Up and Cool DownHow To Prevent Running Injuries Inexpensive Exercise Options You can also participate in other forms of inexpensive but effective exercise. The following Verywell.com sites can provide you with the information you need to get started with these beneficial physical activities. Weight TrainingYogaPilates