Yoga Therapy Program for Substance Abuse
Millions of Americans are battling substance use disorders, and unfortunately, only a small percentage are getting the addiction treatment they need. Nonetheless, even as there is room for improvement in terms of access to care, there is a range of addiction treatment options available in the United States. These range from conventional treatments like medical detox and psychotherapy to a more holistic approach that encompasses various complementary treatment modalities. Studies show that comprehensive addiction treatment has better outcomes in achieving and maintaining long-term recovery. A yoga therapy program is a complementary addiction treatment that is increasingly being used at the best drug rehab facilities in Washington. In this article, we introduce you to yoga and explain how a yoga therapy program can help you or a loved one struggling with addiction.
What is a yoga therapy program?
A yoga therapy program is a type of complementary treatment used in addiction recovery. Meaning, it is used in addition to conventional evidence-based treatment modalities such as medical detox and counseling or behavioral therapies. In other words, a yoga therapy program cannot replace traditional addiction treatment methods but it can support recovery from substance abuse when used together with conventional addiction treatments.
Participants in a yoga therapy program practice a range of breathing exercises and physical postures that connect the mind, body, and soul, focus attention inward, and increase self-awareness while relaxing the muscles, relieving tension, and improving flexibility. The number of Americans participating in a yoga therapy program has been increasing rapidly over the past decade or so because of increasing awareness about the benefits of this practice.
Benefits of yoga
The practice of various postures, breathing exercises, and meditation/deep relaxation as part of a yoga therapy program has numerous benefits, including:
- Pain relief
- Stress relief
- Improved sleep
- Increased energy
- Better focus and self-awareness
- Improved stamina and strength
- Enhanced self-confidence
- Improved emotional regulation
- Reduced fatigue
It is evident from the above list that a yoga therapy program can greatly benefit people with mental health conditions like anxiety and depression as well as those battling substance use disorders because these conditions are often associated with stress, poor sleep, reduced energy, fatigue, lack of focus, and strong negative emotions. If one is asked to put a finger on it, perhaps the biggest advantage of a yoga therapy program is that it regulates the stress response.
What does a yoga therapy program involve?
Yoga is an ancient practice that originated in India more than 5,000 years ago. A yoga therapy program focuses on breathing, strength, and flexibility to boost a person’s mental and physical well-being. The main component of a yoga therapy program is a set of breathing exercises, followed by a series of movements or postures, and finally a period of deep relaxation or meditation.
The most common form of yoga practiced in the United States is called hatha yoga. Trained instructors in a yoga therapy program guide a group class that typically lasts for 45 minutes to an hour. Participants in the yoga therapy program follow the instructor by posing the body in certain ways that are believed to open the flow of energy, align the various parts of the body correctly, improve flexibility, and slowly improve strength.
What effect does yoga have on the brain?
A yoga therapy program is particularly effective for individuals struggling with substance abuse. In people who use drugs or alcohol, chemicals and signal pathways in the brain that regulate emotions and impulses are altered. As a result of these changes in brain circuitry, people battling addiction are unable to make wise decisions or avoid triggers and drug cravings.
Yoga helps regulate and balance stress hormones in the brain and actively controls stress. Also, research shows that regular attendance of a yoga therapy program can lead to an increase in the levels of GABA in the brain. GABA is a chemical that acts as a natural tranquilizer and manages stress and anxiety. Studies have shown that people who participate in a yoga therapy program twice a week have fewer anxiety symptoms and less depression and an overall improved sense of well-being.
During addiction recovery, anxiety and depression are common withdrawal symptoms. Therefore, a yoga therapy program can help make recovery smoother by reducing these withdrawal symptoms.
Can yoga help those with addiction?
A yoga therapy program cannot treat addiction by itself, but it can be immensely helpful as part of a comprehensive addiction treatment plan. In other words, a yoga therapy program is effective when used in conjunction with conventional substance abuse treatment methods such as medical detox and behavioral therapies.
Discover Recovery Drug Rehab Center Washington
Discover Recovery Treatment Center in Long Beach is a leading residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in Washington State. We offer comprehensive addiction treatment programs that include complementary therapies such as a yoga therapy program.
Our medically-supervised detox program is designed to help you overcome your physical and psychological dependence on drugs or alcohol. Once your body is cleared of toxic substances, you are ready to address the underlying factors that contributed to substance abuse. This is achieved through a range of behavioral therapies in individual and group counseling settings. In addition to traditional addiction treatment, we offer a yoga therapy program and other experiential and complementary therapies to ensure a holistic approach to recovery.
At Discover Recovery, we understand that every aspect of addiction must be treated simultaneously to achieve lasting sobriety. Our highly experienced clinical team knows that the best outcomes are obtained when addiction is treated along with any co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or PTSD. To this end, we use complementary therapies like a yoga therapy program for the smoothest recovery and the best chances of success.
Our dual diagnosis residential rehab program in Washington is administered in a comfortable facility where you will receive the care and support you need to become the best version of yourself. If you would like to find out more about the yoga therapy program at Discover Recovery, get in touch with us today, and let’s talk about how we can help you
