Addict to Athlete

As we enter into the new year, many people have resolutions to cut back on their drinking or drug use.  Especially as a therapist, I see a surge in the number of people attempting to make major life changes in this area.  The new year is the perfect time for a fresh start.

Although I've previously written about the benefits of exercise for mental health here, there are specific benefits for those working towards recovery from substance abuse.

Often, people measure recovery in numbers.  90 in 90.  Twelve steps.  One day at a time.  What if we used a different measuring stick, measuring in feet, yards, or even miles?  For years, research has shown exercise to be effective in treating a variety of mind, body, and spiritual issues.  More recently, drug and alcohol treatment centers have begun incorporating exercise into their programs.  So why is it that logging miles might be just as important as logging meetings?

Free Time

When an alcoholic or addict is active in their addiction, they spend excessive amounts of time dedicated towards obtaining and using their substance of choice.  Once that substance and behavior is removed, people find that leisure time and boredom can be an overwhelming trigger.  Filling that free time with a regular jog or a yoga class may be able to get you through the struggle with down time.  A study conducted three months post-discharge from a 6 week inpatient rehab program found that 69% of participants were able to maintain their sobriety after reorganizing their leisure time to include exercise.  This was in comparison to 38% abstinence in those who did not participate in exercise.

Negative Emotions

Even if you’re successfully able to fill all that free time, it is expected that stress and negative emotions will still creep in from time to time.  A person in recovery likely once used drugs or alcohol to cope with negative emotions or self-medicate.  A life of recovery means self-medicating with substances is no longer possible.  Exercise is an outlet for those negative energies.  Anxiety, depression, frustration, and all other powerful emotions can be channeled into positive and motivating energy through exercise.  Many elite athletes report experiencing their best athletic performances when angry as they are able to express the emotions they’re feeling through physical movement.

Physical Benefits

It is well known that there are physical benefits to exercise, such as improved cardiovascular function, improved immune system, a decrease in blood pressure and cholesterol, and many more.  However, the physical benefits of exercise go beyond the basics.  Alcohol and drug use impact areas of the brain and chemicals responsible for what makes us feel good.  Exercise does the same.  You may have heard of the “runner’s high.”  When a person is exercising, their body produces endorphins, adrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine.  For an individual in recovery, these “feel good” chemicals can serve as a positive replacement for the drugs they sought before.  Just like drugs or alcohol, the increase in these chemicals is reinforcing and rewards the exerciser for engaging in that activity.

Fellowship

They say it only takes two to hold a meeting.  What if you took that meeting to the trails or local gym?  The social component of fitness is a powerful tool for recovering addicts.  Joining a group or participating in a regular fitness class provides fellowship and support that everyone needs.  Accountability and encouragement are found in the fitness community much like you’d find in the 12-step community.

Accomplishment

Distance runner, George Sheehan, shared his experience with running in recovery:  “Lives are changed by do’s, not by don’ts.  And if one is to stop drinking permanently, one must be actively involved in becoming what one is.  Distance running did that for me.  It reintroduced me to my body.  And my body, I found out, had a mind of its own.  It would no longer accept anything less than the best.”  This sense of accomplishment that George referred to reflected what was best for his body, mind, and spirit.  The commitment to physical exercise provides this last, but equally as important benefit, of a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.  Setting out to complete that 5K or perfect a certain yoga position and accomplishing that goal is just one more way to enhance self-esteem and see yourself grow in a more positive direction.

My passion as a health and fitness coach is to help you achieve your greatest potential; physically, mentally, and emotionally.  For more, join me on Facebook!