Addiction and the role of exercise in its management
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), less than half of the world’s population (38.3%) drinks alcohol. Those who drink consume an average of 17 liters of pure alcohol per year. In addition, the harmful use of alcohol causes 3.3 million deaths each year. Additionally, at least 15.3 million people have drug use disorders.
These and a few other statistics are quite disconcerting to the friends and family of people who have some type of addiction.
Addiction is a chronic disorder for which many biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors are responsible. About half of the risk of addiction is genetic. Genes affect the amount of reward an individual experiences when they initially use a substance, for example drugs, alcohol, or engage in certain behaviors, for example gambling. An increased desire to re-experience the behavior or substance use, potentially influenced by psychological (eg, stress, history of trauma), social (eg, use of a substance by family members or friends) and environmental (eg, accessibility of a substance, inexpensive) can lead to regular use, leading to brain changes.
The brain changes include alterations in the prefrontal cortex and subcortical limbic system regions that involve the neurocircuitry for reward, motivation, memory, impulse control, and judgment. This leads to increased cravings for the addiction and impaired ability to control the urge, regardless of knowledge and experience of its consequences.
Role of exercise in addiction management –
Most addiction treatment involves some type of counseling that focuses on helping the person figure out why they are engaging in addictive behavior.
Some studies have provided convincing evidence to support the development of exercise-based interventions to reduce compulsive patterns of drug use in at-risk populations.
Exercise helps in the following ways:
Release endorphins – In recovering from an addiction, the body and mind lose an elevated feeling caused by it, resulting in depression during the withdrawal phase. Since exercise triggers the release of endorphins, which act as a natural high, especially after a good sweat session, it’s possible that working out can help a person through the recovery process.
Relieve the stress – Additionally, regular exercise is a great stress buster, resulting in decreased stress-related cravings. Thus, continuing to exercise long-term might even decrease drug-seeking behavior.
Acts as a distraction For some, exercise can simply serve as a distraction. While exercise relieves some of the withdrawal symptoms, it may not improve long-term withdrawal.
Acts like meditation – The exercise can be described as moving meditation. This concept underlies the ancient tradition of Hatha Yoga exercises. By concentrating on the physical movements of exercise, we can experience the psychological and emotional benefits of meditation. A good workout leaves you feeling more rejuvenated and upbeat, which can make recovery much more manageable.
Improves outlook on life – Those who exercise regularly have increased feelings of self-confidence and reduced feelings of depression and anxiety. In addition, regular exercise provides better sleep, increased energy, and a greater sense of well-being, which positively changes your outlook on life.
The essential-
Addiction is a problem with a global dimension, influenced by many factors, for example, biological, psychological, social and environmental. About half of the risk of addiction is genetic. Although advice and treatment form the mainstay of management, regular exercise also positively influences it, making management more effective. People who exercise regularly are less likely to give in to the temptations of addictions, even if they are genetically prone to them.
