Mind-body practices like yoga have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety and contribute to overall well-being, with reports showing these changes in just one session. For those recovering from alcohol and other drug addictions, this ancient Indian medical system can offer hope that they will soon be back in good health.
yoga and addiction
People under stress are more likely to abuse substances or relapse into drug use. Substance use and dependence are also found to be higher among people with mood and anxiety disorders. While traditional therapies such as counseling and medication have proven effective in treating addiction and co-occurring disorders, more recently, mindful physical exercise such as yoga has become a powerful complementary health tool. emerging as an approach.
A college graduate, a loving family, and a successful job, Melissa D’Angelo was prescribed opioids after kidney surgery, and she quickly dabbled in heroin. She said yoga helped get her life back on track. D’Angelo said during her recovery. yogajournal.com When in doubt, there is nothing better than doing Adho Mukha Svanasana.
“When I’m stressed at work, I literally go to the bathroom and do my downward posture,” D’Angelo told the online publication. “It puts me in a relaxed state so I can focus clearly on what I have to do. [on] What I want to do may recur. ”
The Science Behind Yoga for Addiction
Some of the most interesting research into the healing power of yoga for recovery reveals that the benefits of yoga for body and mind are more complex than we might think. According to Dr. John Denninger, a psychiatrist at Harvard Medical School, yoga can trigger an almost immediate response in genetic activity, switching genes associated with stress and immune function on and off.
and Government-funded researchDenninger found that blood tests showed significant changes in gene expression in participants who meditated for just 20 minutes a day for eight weeks. “People who practice yoga long-term, people who meditate long-term, are different in many ways from non-yoga practitioners,” Denninger said in the paper. interview Ally Ford and Tom O’Brien. “It’s pretty hard to be skeptical in the face of this kind of data.”
other research We compared the effects of yoga and walking on mood and anxiety. Participants worked on each activity for 60 minutes each day, three days a week for 12 weeks. At the end of the study period, those who practiced yoga reported greater improvements in mood and anxiety than those who walked.
Treating Addiction Through Yoga
Many drug rehab centers now offer regular yoga classes. And because yoga asanas (postures) and pranayama (breathing exercises) can be done by anyone, anywhere, anytime, addicts can work to enhance their recovery even without a therapist or sponsor. these yoga poses Recommended to help recovering addicts bring peace and serenity into their daily lives. Here are other ways yoga can help you recover.
- Improves Focus and Awareness — Yoga helps those recovering from addiction maintain the focus they need to become mentally strong and focus on their recovery goals. In addition, yoga training emphasizes recognizing one’s thoughts and feelings without having to engage them by “numbing” substances.
- Reduce Cravings — Yoga helps individuals develop a calmer state of mind, which greatly helps to thwart cravings. Yoga has also been shown to naturally increase levels of pleasure-inducing chemicals when the brain is virtually dopamine deficient after withdrawal.
- Stimulates the prefrontal cortex — Long-term yoga practice helps develop the prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for self-control, is a region greatly impaired by substance use.
- Helps Overcome Insomnia — Yoga brings downtime to the nervous system and as a byproduct, better sleep.here it is Pause for better sleep.
Incorporating yoga into your recovery practice can heal your body and mind and promote your mental health, regardless of your religious beliefs. Plus, yoga can help you meet and bond with like-minded people who are working on themselves just like you. In just 20 minutes a day, you can experience the mental, physical and spiritual beneficial effects of this healing therapy.
The Right Steps in Texas to Heal Your Addiction with Yoga
At The Right Step, we recognize the importance of comprehensive care for addiction recovery. Our evidence-based treatment program includes yoga and other mind-body practices designed to restore overall well-being and foster physical balance and emotional calmness.
We offer a variety of programs such as:
- Detox and inpatient
- partial hospitalization program
- Intensive outpatient program
- Ongoing care such as alumni programs
Contact us today to learn how yoga can help with addiction and start your journey to sobriety.Contact information 17135283709 Or fill out our online form.
