Fitness and Recovery

Angelo Hemin Fitness Guru

The Benefits of Exercise in Addiction Recovery

For some of us who have been struggling to overcome an addiction to drugs or a dependence upon alcohol, the road to recovery literally is a road (or, in other cases, a path, a trail or a track). For those of us, physical fitness programs that involve running, walking or hiking help us develop the mental clarity and physical strength that we need to achieve and maintain long-term sobriety.

Incorporating a regimen of regular exercise into our lives can benefit recovering individuals in the following five ways:

1. Provide a healthy outlet for negative emotions — Instead of turning to drugs in unproductive efforts to cope with stress, pressure or disappointment, individuals who have established a healthy exercise regimen can work out our problems while working out.
2. Develop discipline — Self-discipline is an essential component of the pursuit of long-term recovery, and following a regular exercise routine is a way of practicing this type of personal accountability.
3. Increase focus — Working out on a regular basis requires us to plan our time and pay attention to our bodies — two activities that are also important parts of staying sober.
4. Enhance confidence — As we develop our bodies through exercise, we are also developing our confidence and sense of accomplishment. These acknowledgments of ability and success can come in handy when confronted with the challenges of recovery.
5. Fill time — Being an addict can be quite time-consuming, with large chunks of one’s day devoted to finding, acquiring, using and recovering from one’s substance of choice. One positive way to fill those “empty hours” is by engaging in regular sessions of vigorous exercise.

The goal of addiction treatment is twofold: to stop using and to maintain long-term recovery. By incorporating healthy nutrition and exercise practices into your daily life, you enhance your ability to successfully achieve both of these goals.