An addiction to drugs or alcohol can have profound impacts on both your mind and your body. This affects your mental and physical chemistry and makes the act of going clean an even bigger challenge. Drug rehab Costa Mesa CA will equip you with effective interventions to make the path to sobriety an attainable journey. Traditional therapy will undoubtedly be a primary component of this process. Although, you should also consider the many benefits associated with fitness therapy. This kind of physical therapy can be a helpful tool to balance both your body and mind.

What is Fitness Therapy?

Fitness therapy is defined as the use of some form of physical exercise for specific goals and outcomes that promote overall health and wellness. This will enable a person to progress to a greater level of independence. Often, fitness therapy is done within the context of a physical therapy setting. The express purpose is to help a person restore or improve their physical condition through a series of exercises, stretches, or workouts.

However, fitness therapy can be a powerful tool within the context of addiction treatment centers as well. Combining exercise with other forms of interventions has been shown to help individuals abstain from or reduce their substance usage. One study by the University of Denmark ¹ implemented exercise as a treatment for addiction recovery. This study showed that five of 20 participants remained sober a year after the study, while ten individuals reported decreased drug intake.

The Many Benefits of Fitness Therapy During Your Stay at Drug Rehab Costa Mesa CA

It’s no secret that exercise plays a vital role in our overall health. It is constantly stressed throughout the course of our life in school, at the doctor’s office, and just about anywhere else where the topic of health is discussed. It has been said that “motion leads to emotion,” as our emotional health and sense of well-being are greatly impacted by our physical movements. Exercise has tangible positive impacts on our bodies and mind. It can boost our recovery process from a substance use disorder.

Stress Relief

For those struggling with an addiction, a reduction in stress is one positive aspect associated with fitness therapy. Often, our desire to reduce stress levels ends up fueling addiction. This can turn stressful situations into one of the biggest triggers to relapse into using again. Thankfully, exercise helps reduce stress levels in the brain by producing endorphins, chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers². Any physical activity that raises the heart rate can help with this process. It’s important to find ways to create increased relaxation and reduce the desire to utilize substances as a way to eliminate stress.

Increased Energy

Another benefit associated with fitness therapy with regard to addiction is increased energy. Exercise causes the body to experience an increase in oxygen, leading to improved energy levels in the body. Numerous studies have shown that exercise can improve the brain‘s cognitive functions. ³ Exercise can boost memory and attention while helping the brain react more quickly. With sustained exercise, regular daily living activities will begin to take less energy, making tasks easier to perform. For individuals in the process of recovery, this can make the process of a substance-free life easier, as many people become accustomed to functioning under their drug of choice. Life is often demanding, making an exercise routine an important component of adjusting to a new reality.

Better State of Mind

Fitness therapy can also boost one’s mood while also protecting the brain from the potential harm caused by prolonged substance abuse. An individual detoxing from a substance will frequently experience intense mood swings since their drug of choice was suppressing many negative emotions. This adjustment period can be tough to endure, making the inclusion of a regular fitness therapy practice a helpful tool to alleviate feelings of instability. Endorphins released during exercise can produce positive feelings of happiness and euphoria, making mood swings less intense. Fitness therapy can also aid the mind by strengthening white matter in the brain potentially damaged by drug or alcohol use.⁴

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The Importance of Attending a Reputable Drug Rehab Costa Mesa CA

Drug addiction continues to be a serious crisis in the United States. This Costa Mesa community certainly feels the impact of this issue. From 2005 to 2015, ER visits from an opioid overdose increased by 141%, with Costa Mesa being one of the harder-hit cities. Despite awareness campaigns and the urgency this issue has presented for communities, there is clearly still a need for intervention. Individuals struggling with a substance use disorder need to receive compassionate, effective care to combat their condition.

Thankfully, there are solutions available to those who looking for answers. Clear Life Recovery offers effective strategies and solutions for individuals seeking to overcome this debilitating condition. We offer fitness therapy programs in addition to detox services. Patients can choose from individual and group therapy sessions and peer support groups as a way to tackle their addiction. We also provide a holistic approach that incorporates spiritual, physical, and mental health treatment to address all aspects of a substance use disorder. Your addiction doesn’t need to define your entire life. Contact the caring professionals at Clear Life Recovery to begin your journey to the life you deserve.

Sources:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20529968

2. https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/related-illnesses/other-related-conditions/stress/physical-activity-reduces-st

3. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/regular-exercise-changes-brain-improve-memory-thinking-skills-201404097110

4. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320944.php#4