Yoga is a mind-body practice that generally includes a series of postures, or poses, controlled breathing and meditation. Some substance-abuse treatment programs include yoga practice because of its documented mental health benefits. Of particular significance to people recovering from drug addiction, yoga may help reduce stress, provide an outlet for spirituality and offer social support.
Supporting Research
Research in the United States on yoga's effectiveness in treating drug addiction is limited, the "New York Times" reported in 2008. However, the effectiveness of yoga for stress reduction is well-documented, according to Sat Bir Khalsa, an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School who studies the medical effects of yoga. For example, according to a review published in the "Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology" in 2009, yoga seems to help reverse stress-mediated diseases through psychological mechanisms as well as its effects on hormonal mechanisms in the brain. As stress is often a major contributor to addiction, according to Khalsa, yoga may play a very beneficial role in drug addiction treatment.
Potential Benefits
In addition to its documented effects on stress relief, yoga may also provide additional benefits for people suffering from drug addiction. As an effective form of exercise, yoga may increase self-esteem and reduce depression in people recovering from addiction, especially for people whose drug addiction has resulted in poor physical health, according to a addiction rehabilitation center which incorporates yoga into its program. Yoga also has a strong spiritual component which complements the Alcoholics Anonymous-style 12-step program commonly used in drug addiction recovery, "Yoga Journal" magazine notes. Yoga can further benefit people with drug addiction by providing them with a social support group and a new social activity that doesn't center around drugs, "LA Yoga" magazine reports.
Considerations
While yoga may serve a vital role in the treatment of drug addiction, a serious drug problem may require a rigorous and multifaceted treatment approach. Depending on your level of addiction, you may require withdrawal therapy conducted in a medical setting and/or an inpatient stay at a rehabilitation clinic. Staying sober over the long term is also not an easy feat; while yoga may help you to stay sober, you may also benefit from the support of psychological counseling, support groups such as Narcotics Anonymous and/or an outpatient treatment program. Additionally, it's important to remember while yoga has the added benefit of a meditation component, all types of exercise provide mental health benefits, according to MayoClinic.com.
Precautions
If you suffer from drug addiction and haven't been able to quit on your own, it is crucial that you reach out for professional help to avoid potentially life-threatening consequences of continued drug use and to detoxify safely. Once in recovery, it is generally safe for people of all abilities to practice yoga. However, people with certain health conditions should consult a doctor before starting a yoga practice, as complications may arise. These conditions include artificial joints, balance problems, certain eye conditions including glaucoma, pregnancy and severe osteoporosis. You may still be able to practice yoga if you have any of these conditions as long as you take proper precautions such as avoiding certain poses, MayoClinic.com advises.
References
- "New York Times"; Bending, Posing and Teaching Beyond the Mat; Katie Zezima; Jan. 24, 2008
- "Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology"; Yogic Exercises and Health -- A Psycho-neuro Immunological Approach; D.D. Kulkarni and T.K. Bera; January-March 2009
- Moonview Sanctuary: How Yoga and Addiction Treatment Work Together
- "Yoga Journal" magazine; Freedom from Addiction; Stacie Stukin
- "LA Yoga" magazine; Yoga and Healing Addiction; Felicia M. Tomasko; January/February 2005
- MayoClinic.com; Depression and Anxiety: Exercise Eases Symptoms; Oct. 23, 2009
