Exercise programs have been common features in most drug or alcohol rehabilitation programs for years, and with good reason: an organized workout program has been shown to help patients dealing with the adverse effects of substance addiction. In addition to being a positive use of the patient's time and keeping them busy, there are a number of psychological and physiological benefits that exercise can have to an addiction patient.
Motivation to Improve
A common effect of a successful exercise program is a sense of accomplishment. When individuals work out well, they feel like they've done something positive, which in turn reinforces an attitude to work out in the future. This motivation for self-improvement is a major asset against addictive thought, and according to Natural Home Remedies, exercise can help foster the motivation to improve.
Endorphins
According to the Treatment Solutions Network, exercise can cause people's brains to release mood-stabilizing endorphins, leading to something of a "natural high"---a common experience among runners as a "runners' high"---that can help alleviate destructive urges resulting from an addiction. Also, many drug addicts have depleted reserves of endorphins in their systems as a result of the absence of drugs in their systems, and exercise can help restore the normal amount of endorphins more quickly.
Dopamine Receptors
According to a study by Professor Mark A. Smith quoted on the Treatment Solutions Network, exercise can also limit the amount of pleasure that harmful drugs like cocaine can cause to an addict's body by altering the amount of dopamine receptors in the addict's brain, thereby limiting the previously-euphoric effects of the drug.
Boredom
One of the most important agents that can lead to an addict's backslide into drug use is boredom. It can be stressful to feel unstimulated, and according to Drugs-Addiction.com, one way that an addict might cope with this could be to revisit old, harmful habits of drug abuse. Keeping to a regular exercise routine keeps people feeling active, healthy, and engaging, which can be a major psychological tool to stay away from unhealthy temptations.
