The Benefits of Yoga as Part of An Alcohol Abuse Treatment Program

Addictions usually begin as a coping mechanism or as a way to fill a certain void inside. Thus, a person who is under alcohol abuse treatment should learn to address their emotions and environment in more beneficial ways, such as practicing yoga. This is the reason many conventional rehabilitation centers today are integrating yoga into their overall treatment programs. Indeed, through the years, yoga has proven to be an excellent complement to traditional alcohol abuse treatment, which is focused on treating patients’ chemical dependency.

Here are the most common advantages of yoga for those who are trying to get their lives back from alcohol addiction:

Mental Healing

Research has revealed that yoga can inhibit the dopamine surge that addicts get whenever they take or even think of taking alcohol. Furthermore, it was revealed that certain yoga types’ intense breathing patterns – an example is Kundalini – causes the body to release pleasure-inducing biochemicals called endorphins. This indicates that yoga can control addictive behaviors and maintain safe dopamine functions in the brain.

Stress Reduction

Stressful scenarios can set off addictive behavior, including cravings. Any recovering addict will find reorienting to a sober life extremely tough. As yoga encourages willpower and living a peaceful life, those in recovery can better handle all that stress, resist temptations, and gain total control over their bodies once again. Yoga comes in varying intensity levels, so people can simply choose what they are most comfortable with. Yin yoga, for instance, is highly meditative and focused on passive stretching, but while vinyasa yoga is more active in nature and improves physical strength. Bikram yoga detoxifies the body through perspiration and is thus done in a hot room. There is even laughing yoga, which is believed to promote an overall sense of happiness, strengthen the immune system, and control pain and stress.

Spiritual Wellness

Regardless of a person’s religious beliefs, yoga provides a spiritual environment. Taking it slow, mindfulness and acceptance are essential to yoga and the health of the soul. Regularly devoting time for growth will help a person achieve full recovery by the end of alcohol abuse treatment.

Striking a Balance

Yoga helps bring balance among all the core aspects of existence, namely, mind, body and spirit. For those who had once led a chaotic life, this balance is extremely beneficial.

Recovery is often a long and arduous process. By putting yoga on their road to recovery, people can learn new methods of handling stress and discovering their hidden strengths. When selecting an alcohol abuse treatment facility for a loved one, consider whether their treatment approach makes room for yoga therapy.