Addiction, whether to substances or destructive behaviors, can have devastating effects on an individual’s physical and mental well-being. Despite how low a person can feel in life when battling addiction, recovery is possible when a person wants to work for it with the right approach. One of the most effective tools in addiction recovery is fitness. Engaging in physical activities is known to improve overall health and also serves as a powerful replacement for harmful life choices. Fitness and recreational activities provide structure, mental clarity, and a sense of purpose that can help people break free from addiction. Read below for an exploration of how fitness plays an important role in addiction recovery and how fitness can enhance the lives of those trying to move past harmful life choices.

Improvement of Physical Health

One of the top benefits of incorporating fitness into a recovery plan is the improvement of physical health. Addiction often wreaks havoc on the body, leading to all kinds of issues like a weakened immune system, cardiovascular problems, and muscle deterioration. Regular exercise helps to repair and rebuild the body by improving circulation, revamping organ function, and strengthening muscles. It also boosts the immune system, reducing susceptibility to illnesses that addiction may have exacerbated.

Additionally, many recovering addicts experience withdrawal symptoms that can be physically taxing. Taking on different physical activities helps alleviate discomfort by promoting the release of endorphins, which act as natural painkillers. These positive effects contribute to overall well-being, making the recovery process more manageable.

Mental and Emotional Stability

Exercise has been shown to have a profound impact on the mental and emotional health of people from all walks of life. Many people who struggle with addiction suffer from depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. Physical activity stimulates the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are responsible for regulating mood and emotions. For people who struggle with non-substance addictions like gambling or sex, these activities offer a rush of these neurotransmitters, so replacing those habits with exercise will start to give them a similar rush without the dangerous consequences.

People who exercise regularly experience a reduction in stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms, and fitness provides a healthy outlet for emotional expression as well. Instead of turning to harmful substances or dangerous choices to cope with negative emotions, those in recovery can channel their energy into workouts, sports, or recreational activities. This can eventually lead to emotional resilience and improved self-control.

Establishing a Healthy Routine

Oftentimes, those who struggle with addiction have lost all sense of a routine as the effects of drugs like opiates distort any sense of time. As people try to get their lives back on the road to recovery, many find that planning out their days with tasks and activities helps them feel a sense of normalcy again. At an addiction treatment center, part of the process of healing is to establish a healthy daily routine through activities like exercise. Incorporating workouts into a daily schedule can give people a sense of control over their lives again, leading to the breaking of old habits and the consistency of newer, healthier ones.

Fitness provides the structure needed to establish a new, positive routine. Scheduled workouts, group fitness classes, or recreational sports create consistency in daily life both within a treatment center and once people are doing outpatient treatment. Once a healthy workout routine has been established, the risk of falling back into old and destructive patterns is reduced.

Reducing Cravings and Preventing Relapse

Cravings are a major obstacle to addiction recovery. Once the brain is used to receiving a certain substance, it takes a lot of willpower to retrain it. Many people relapse because their urges are too overwhelming, and they may not have the proper tools or support to fight them on their own. Exercise helps combat these cravings by naturally boosting mood and reducing stress levels. The endorphins released during physical activity create feelings of pleasure and satisfaction that those in recovery are used to feeling while under the influence. Although exercise is not a replacement for a preferred substance, it can decrease the need for external substances to achieve that feeling of euphoria.

In terms of preventing relapse, engaging in fitness activities keeps people occupied and reduces idle time, which is often a trigger for relapse. When someone is actively involved in a fitness regimen, they are less likely to seek out old habits or harmful influences.

Building Self-Esteem and Confidence

Whereas addiction tears away at the body, leading many to feel low self-worth, consistent exercise while in recovery can have the opposite effect. Fitness plays a big role in rebuilding self-esteem and confidence. When fitness goals are set and achieved, recovering addicts will experience a sense of accomplishment and empowerment. Progress in physical fitness, whether it’s lifting heavier weights, running longer distances, or simply feeling healthier, translates into increased self-belief and motivation. Engaging in fitness helps improve a person’s physique, posture, and overall self-presentation, leading to greater confidence and self-acceptance in their new, sober life.

Social Support and Connection

When a person is in recovery and trying their hardest to get better, it is important for them to be surrounded by others who have the same struggles and optimistic mindset. Playing group sports or even just working out with a few other people in a rehab facility can change a person’s recovery trajectory. The feeling of accomplishing goals together and holding each other accountable is a form of social support that is so important at such a vulnerable point in life. After living in the isolation of addiction, many people find that starting a fitness journey with others in the same boat is helpful in bringing them back to the feeling of human connection again.

Promoting Mindfulness and Stress Management

Taking on a fitness routine takes a lot of mental fortitude for anyone, but especially for someone who is trying to eliminate harmful choices from their life. Once in a consistent fitness regimen, recovering addicts have a better sense of mindfulness and awareness of their bodies. Certain practices like yoga, martial arts, and swimming are great for alleviating stress in people who are dealing with the anxiety that comes with addiction recovery.

The role that fitness plays in addiction recovery cannot be understated. Whether it is just going on daily walks or training to run a marathon, people who choose to integrate fitness into their addiction recovery journey can experience many benefits.

John Mali Director of Media Relations

Director of Media Relations at AboutBoulder.com

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