Overview of Yoga for Addiction Recovery
Many addicts turn to substance abuse because they are facing problems in life which are, at the time, seemingly unbearable. A traumatic experience, the inability to relate to others, the loss of a job or being diagnosed with a co-occurring disorder are just a few of the popular reasons someone will use drugs and alcohol. During the battle against addiction, individuals fight to pick up the pieces after their lives have been thrown into disarray. Yoga for addiction recovery is one among many useful complementary therapies which help restore balance to one’s life.
Yoga is an ancient healing method which is part of the oldest form of natural medicine known as Ayurveda. The practice originates in India and dates back to over 5,000 years. Combining breath work, physical postures (asanas), positive mind thought and a number of other exercises, yoga is said to bind the body, mind and spirit. Over the last decade, yoga has rapidly spread throughout the West. As it gained its popularity, the integration of yoga at addiction rehab centres has also excelled; for good reasons too. When most addicts enter a rehab centre, they are lacking physical and mental energy.
Nervousness, anxiety, fear and stress may be just a few symptoms plaguing them. These can be extremely distracting and even debilitating whilst trying to get clean and sober. Rehabs with yoga for addiction recovery included in their treatment programs will give the individual a greater chance at healing because of the benefits to overall wellbeing attributed to the practice of this ancient method. The following are well-established benefits of yoga for addiction recovery.
1. Yoga Can Alleviate Stress and Induce Relaxation
When an addiction is going on it can be incredibly hard to feel relaxed. The stress of family, financial or legal issues can be overpowering and when you go to rehab, this stress can still linger. Yoga for addiction recovery will help to instill tranquility and relaxation through breathing exercises and subtle movements.
From the initial stages of the detox right up until the last week you are at rehab, yoga will help you to let go of the past and move into the present. The ability to let go of stress and outside worries will become easier. At the same time you will be able to become more in tune with your own thoughts; thereby reduce issues you struggle to resolve.
2. Cravings for Drugs and Alcohol will Be Less
Cravings for drugs or alcohol can occur at any time even during a treatment program. Each person will have their own triggers that cause the cravings. Stress is a key factor, but emotions can also act as a trigger. Without being able to control these, the risk of relapse is rather high.
During an addiction treatment program, yoga will show you how to look inside (or inwards) of you and focus on your emotional state via your thoughts. Although this takes time, with practice, you will be able to focus on that single moment. Through this, the negative thoughts or stressors which are causing the cravings will be reduced. After continued yoga for addiction recovery, the mind becomes stronger allowing you to control not only your cravings but also emotions as a whole.
3. At Rehab, Yoga Will Improve Physical Fitness
Yoga does not only work wonders on the mind, but the body as well. Through a variety of different poses, yoga will gradually stretch ligaments and tendons which may have not been stretched in a long time. Muscles will repair and build strength and posture will improve. This can lead to better breathing capabilities and circulation. In addition, yoga for addiction recovery will help an overweight person to lose weight and an underweight person to tone their body. Anyone can do the poses and after a nice yoga session, a solid nights rest is likely to occur.
4. Yoga Promotes Healthy Self Esteem and Confidence
A drug and alcohol addiction can take a toll on a person’s self esteem and confidence. A rehab program with yoga sessions will give individuals the chance to feel better about their self. Regular yoga practice will release dopamine and serotonin causing you to feel good and happy. It is these chemicals that will ultimately improve how you think about yourself, which is another reason why people practice yoga for addiction recovery.
5. Inner Peace and a Restoration of Balance
As a person practices yoga on a regular basis, they will begin to feel a sensation of inner peace and balance. Like other therapies, yoga for addiction recovery will invite a person to look deep into their heart and resolve whatever it is that has been holding them down and keeping them addicted to drugs or alcohol.
6. The Risk of Relapsing Will Decrease with Regular Yoga Practice
During rehab, the yoga practitioner and other therapists will discuss relapsing on a regular basis. This is not only to prepare you for the risks and potentials of relapsing, but also to guide you through things you can do when you’re faced with these challenges.
When you leave rehab, you will experience situations which could cause you to want to use. Acting as a coping method, yoga will help you to calm down and examine the situation in a logical and healthy way. Like meditation, yoga allows you to see the clear picture, step away from that situation, and let it go.
At Siam Rehab we integrate yoga for addiction recovery, and other alternate therapies, with more traditional, scientific and medical methods into comprehensive treatment programmes. If you’d like to know more about our treatments or therapies, contact us online or give us a call.
Read about the importance of exercise in rehab here:
