Substance abuse--loosely speaking, the introduction of mood-altering chemicals into the body to produce a desired psychological effect taken to extremes--exerts its effects on the brain by stimulating its pleasure centers via neurotransmitters. Physical exercise generates many of the same effects, and is recognized as a component in treating substance abusers who have resolved to quit their habit.
Meditation and Visualization Exercises
"Exercise" need not refer only to physical exercise. Visualization and meditation lend themselves to group settings and can be invaluable in training addicted people to shift their thinking away from unhealthy, familiar patterns and toward positive patterns. With eyes closed and in a quiet setting perhaps with soft music, participants should imagine lives free of substance abuse--the effect of such a scenario on their family lives, their jobs, their general health, their day-to-day functioning, their happiness, and their ability to achieve their goals and dreams. Afterward, participants can share their results with one another.
Aerobic Exercise
This kind of exercise, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, not only may serve as a valuable tool to discourage relapse among substance abusers, but prevent it altogether. Aerobic exercise is that which is sufficiently intense to raise heart rate above approximately 60 percent to 70 percent of maximum and is defined by the American College of Sports Medicine as "any activity that uses large muscle groups, can be maintained continuously, and is rhythmic in nature." At this level of exertion, significant amounts of endorphins are produced, yielding a sense of mild euphoria while skirting the damaging effects of drugs as well as boosting fitness. There are many types of aerobic exercise, including walking, jogging, swimming, skipping rope, hiking, Nordic skiing, and more; all can be done in groups, though some require equipment.
Yoga
According to "Yoga Journal," yoga can help treat not only the abuse of chemicals but also other compulsive behaviors, such as gambling and shopping. Regarded as a complement to rather than a replacement for interventions such as 12-step programs, yoga can offer a state of pronounced relaxation, and according to researchers at the University of Maryland Medical Center, relaxation techniques--e.g., deep breathing, meditation, and deep muscle relaxation--result in decreases in heart rate, blood pressure and muscle tension, and increase the user's sense of calm.
