Everyone diagnosed with substance use disorder (SUD) experiences withdrawal symptoms. Detox services ensure people have access to effective treatments for managing their condition. Exercise is often used to address some of the physical and mental effects of withdrawal. According to the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, “Exercise’s broad positive health, mood-enhancing, and anxiolytic effects; capacity to reduce the acute distress of withdrawal; and nearly universal safety profile when properly adapted for the individual make it an appealing adjunctive intervention to help attain abstinence and prevent relapse among individuals with SUDs.” Rancho Recovery helps clients use exercise to successfully manage withdrawal symptoms during detox and treatment for substance abuse.
How Does Exercise Impact Withdrawal Symptoms?
The type of symptoms you experience and their severity depends on multiple factors, including the substance abused, the dose, how long it was abused, and any co-occurring conditions impacting your overall health. Chronic substance abuse may have a profound adverse effect on multiple body systems, including the cardiovascular system, brain, lungs, and kidneys. Exercise is one way to repair some of the damage caused by SUD.
According to the Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment, “[E]xercise has been suggested as an adjunctive intervention to SUD treatment due to its well-documented and varied physical and mental health benefits . . . exercise also does not come with side effects that are common to psychiatric medications.” Managing withdrawal with healthy and low-stress activities may improve the effectiveness of therapy or other treatments.
Exercise impacts symptoms during detox and early recovery by doing the following:
- Boosting the immune system
- Increasing energy and focus
- Reducing sleep disturbances by improving sleep quality
- Decreasing blood pressure
Some forms of exercise may also reduce body aches, chronic pain, or emotional discomfort during detox. Rancho Recovery works with clients to help them determine what types of physical activity may benefit their recovery.
Managing Symptoms Effectively With Self-Care
Physical exercise is a form of self-care. You can use simple activities like yoga or walking meditation to manage symptoms related to SUD. Studies have shown that to “make appropriate recommendations for ongoing treatment and recovery activities, detoxification staff need to determine the individual characteristics of clients and their environments that are likely to influence the level of care, setting, and specialized services needed for recovery.”
Collaborating with your care team builds trust and helps determine how self-care activities like exercise may improve your treatment outcome. Self-care is vital to healing and personal growth for many people in recovery. Discovering ways to incorporate exercise and other forms of self-care into your treatment routine will help you recover more quickly.
Finding Relief From Common Withdrawal Symptoms
Everyone responds to withdrawal differently depending on multiple factors, including general health. Individuals who are more physically fit and active may experience less severe symptoms during detox and the first few weeks of treatment. The care team will help you find ways to relieve discomfort, allowing you to focus your time and energy on managing your condition and finding healthy ways to cope.
A few of the most common symptoms of withdrawal include:
- Irritation
- Restlessness
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Changes to appetite
- Muscle weakness
- Body aches or discomfort
- Nausea
- Headaches or migraines
Regular physical activity reduces many of these symptoms. For example, people who feel restless and irritable often report being more calm after low-stress activities like walking outdoors or yoga. According to Health.gov, “even small amounts of physical activity can immediately reduce symptoms of anxiety in adults and older adults . . . Engaging in regular physical activity has also been shown to reduce the risk of developing depression in children and adults.” Rancho Recovery helps clients find the best activities to support their treatment and long-term health goals.
Making Essential Lifestyle Changes During Treatment
Treatment is meant to prepare you for long-term recovery. Therapy and other services offer insights into behaviors and thought patterns while the clinical team provides suggestions and actionable advice on creating positive lifestyle changes. During recovery, you have the time and space away from everyday distractions to really dive deep into your internal experience and identify areas you can change to support long-term sobriety.
Some of the most common lifestyle changes people make during treatment include:
- Exercising more frequently
- Practicing mindfulness during everyday activities
- Eating more balanced meals
- Practicing positive self-talk
Your entire outlook on life and recovery changes when you put your physical and mental health first.
How Does Exercise at Rancho Recovery Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms?
Clients at Rancho Recovery incorporate a wide range of exercises into their daily routines. You can collaborate with the care team and try different activities to see which ones feel most natural and comfortable. The various exercise options reduce withdrawal symptoms by giving you something healthy and motivating to focus on.
The beautiful natural landscape around Rancho Recovery also offers clients an ideal space to explore nature and exercise alone or in groups. Substance abuse negatively impacts physical health. Being active outdoors allows you to gain muscle, strengthen bones, and increase endurance.
The symptoms of withdrawal range from mild to life-threatening, depending on the type of substance and how long it was abused. Often, people benefit from participating in a detox program where they have access to 24/7 monitoring from a medical professional. The clinical team offers various treatment and support services to help clients manage withdrawal symptoms, including low-stress physical activities like yoga. Physical health is directly linked to your psychological well-being. Rancho Recovery uses outdoor activities and light exercises to help people regain strength in their bodies and combat the damage caused by chronic substance abuse. To learn more about our programs and services, call our office today at (877) 484-1447.