Psychiatrist Suggests Exercise Can Help Conquer Addiction

December 30, 2018 – – The opioid crisis has gained widespread attention because of the alarming number of overdose-related deaths recently. The increased national attention has allowed numerous solutions to be put forward in order to tackle the threat directly.

But while dealing with the opioid crisis on a massive scale is important, it is also vital to take a close look at individual patients and how their conditions can be managed on a personal level.

Dr. Claire Twark, a psychiatrist in Boston, Massachusetts, suggests that exercise can help patients conquer addiction. Dr. Twark treats patients hospitalized at Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital, including outpatients at the Addiction Recovery Program.

She makes use of medication-assisted treatment as well as motivational interviewing techniques to help guide patients toward their recovery goals. “Suffice to say, I am a psychiatrist interested in pulling out all of the stops when it comes to treating addiction,” she says in her column at the Harvard Health Blog. “As an athlete, I think regularly about the potential health benefits of exercise for my patients.”

Exercise for people in addiction recovery is extremely important. Dr. Twark believes that exercise is a promising prospect, especially when combined with other proven treatments. Drug rehab facilities often take a personalized approach when it comes to addiction treatment in order to provide a patient’s specific needs. This often includes behavioral therapy and medical detox.

Exercise may be able to keep an addicted individual’s mind off of their cravings. “In my experience, many patients with various substance use disorders have found that exercise helps to distract them from cravings,” she says. “Workouts add structure to the day.”

A small study in humans investigated an exercise program offered to 38 men and women who were misusing a variety of substances. This includes opioids, cannabis, amphetamines, and cocaine. The participants agreed to take part on group exercise three times a week for two to six months. Twenty people completed the intervention.

When reassessed a year later, five reported abstinence and 10 reported a decrease in substance use.

Exercise helps individuals tackle the social aspect of addiction. The psychiatrist further says that exercise helps form positive social connections, which can benefit a patient suffering from addiction, knowing that this condition has a social aspect to it. Exercise may help treat depression and anxiety, especially in combination with other therapies.

It’s easy to see how exercise can forge positive connections between people in recovery. “The camaraderie during the workout was palpable and it was inspiring to witness the dedication of the coaches in recovery,” Dr. Twark said of a CrossFit class in Boston that supports people in recovery.

This is why more and more organizations are promoting physical activity for people in recovery. The Boston Bulldogs Running Club dates back to 2008 and has broadened its mission to support people with addiction, as well as their friends and families. It is a non-profit organization that also promotes wellness to children and teens to help prevent substance use disorders.

“Medication-assisted treatment at least doubles the rates of opioid abstinence.” Dr. Twark says that staying on a long-term MAT is often recommended because there is a greater than 50 percent chance of relapsing on illicit opioids just one month after discontinuing treatment with buprenorphine-naloxone, for example.

Consistently taking medications like methadone can help substantially lower the risk of dying from an overdose, provided that the patient takes their prescription properly. Visit RehabNear.Me for more information on how RX pills are affecting people’s lives.

There is evidence that exercise can help conquer addiction in the long run. And because no treatment is infallible, a multifaceted approach can work wonders for anyone in recovery. Look for an addiction treatment facility nearby if someone is struggling with the effects of drug abuse.

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