Exercise can play a vital role in your recovery from alcohol abuse -- any "problem" drinking that negatively impacts your life -- or physical dependence on alcohol. Regular exercise can improve your mood, ward off depression and provide you with a healthy hobby that doesn't involve drinking. In many cases, however, exercise is just one component of a successful alcohol recovery program. To quit drinking and stay sober, you may require medical treatment including medications and/or counseling, aftercare support groups or a residential treatment program.
Exercise and Mood
People often drink alcohol to change their mood. If you drink because of low moods, exercise may serve as a good alternative to drinking. Ever heard of the "runner's high"? Well, it's not just a myth. When you exercise, your brain releases feel-good chemicals called endorphins that support a sense of relaxed well-being. Physical activity can also act as a mood booster by improving your self esteem and self image. Using alcohol as an antidepressant is a losing game -- while drinking may provide a temporary mood boost, alcohol abuse commonly leads to depression and other mood disorders, and even moderate alcohol use can worsen pre-existing depression. On the other hand, exercise can help ease and prevent depression. According to MayoClinic.com, getting at least 30 minutes of exercise per day, three to five days out of the week, can cause significant improvement in depression symptoms.
Exercise as Part of a Healthy Lifestyle
Coping with alcohol abuse or dependence usually requires that you change your habits. Exercise can also be used along with other positive lifestyle changes to replace bad habits -- such as drinking -- with healthier ones. Besides providing a healthy way to spend your time, regular exercise directly combats some of the chronic health problems associated with alcohol abuse and dependence. Alcohol-related health problems for which exercise can be beneficial include: high blood pressure, cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes and heart problems. Along with other healthy habits like getting enough sleep and eating healthy, exercising can aid your physical recovery from alcohol. Exercising socially -- for example, joining a community softball team or taking a yoga class -- can also help you make friends who enjoy activities that don't involve drinking.
Withdrawing From Alcohol
Although exercise can be a useful tool to help you quit drinking, you may require more than exercise alone to safely detox from alcohol. People who are physically dependent on alcohol and stop drinking suddenly may experience withdrawal symptoms ranging from mild physical and psychological symptoms to life-threatening symptoms including seizures and delirium tremens. Therefore, if you are physically dependent on alcohol -- meaning you drink heavily on a daily basis and feel ill when you try to stop -- it is crucial that you detox in a medically-supervised setting rather than trying to quit on your own. With a medically-supervised withdrawal, your vital signs and symptoms of withdrawal will be closely monitored for a period of up to several days, and you may be administered intravenous fluids, sedatives and other medications to ease your symptoms.
Getting and Staying Sober
Even if you are not physically dependent on alcohol, exercise is just one of many tools you'll need to get and stay sober. Depending on the severity of your alcohol problem and the factors that contribute to it, you may need: treatment for underlying psychological problems, medications which stop alcohol cravings, a social support group like Alcoholics Anonymous, and/or a residential inpatient stay. Both alcohol abuse and alcoholism are complex conditions which require multifaceted treatment approaches. Exercise can play a very beneficial role in helping you get and stay sober, but it is crucial that you seek and accept help if you are unable to stop drinking on your own.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Aerobic Exercise -- Top Ten Reasons to Get Physical
- MayoClinic.com: Exercise -- Seven Benefits of Regular Physical Activity
- MayoClinic.com: Depression and Anxiety -- Exercise Eases Symptoms
- The American Geriatrics Society Foundation for Health in Aging: Aging in the Know -- Substance Abuse
- MayoClinic.com: Alcoholism -- Treatments and Drugs
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse
