A lot of addictions start as a coping mechanism or a method of filling an inner emptiness. 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. True enough, over the years, yoga has demonstrated effectiveness in complementing more traditional alcohol abuse treatment, which is mostly chemical in nature.
Below are the most common benefits offered by yoga to people recovering from alcohol addiction:
Mind Healing
According to research, yoga has the ability to stop the dopamine surge that addicts are known to experience every time they take or imagine taking alcohol. In addition, it was found that the intense breathing patterns in certain types of yoga, such as Kundalini, release endorphins, the body’s happy hormone. This means that yoga can suppress addictive behaviors while keeping dopamine functions at healthier levels in the brain.
Stress Management
Stressful situations can lead to addictive behavior and cravings. Any recovering addict will find reorienting to a sober life extremely tough. With yoga promoting willpower and calmness of mind, those in recovery can develop strength to manage all that stress, fight off temptations, and finally take control of their bodies. There are different intensity levels for all the various types of yoga, so people can just select which one feels the best to them. Yin yoga, for example, is mainly meditation and passive stretching; vinyasa yoga, on the other hand, has a quicker pace and works by increasing strength. Bikram yoga rids the body of toxins through sweat and is hence practiced in a warm 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 Enhancement
Yoga presents a spiritual environment to everyone, whatever their religious beliefs may be. Taking it slow, mindfulness and acceptance are essential to yoga and the health of the soul. Consistently allocating time for growth will definitely work for anyone seeking total recovery after alcohol abuse treatment.
Striking a Balance
Yoga therapy helps a person find that perfect balance of mind, body and spirit. Without a doubt, this balance will be extremely beneficial to anyone who had once lived a troubled life.
Recovery is an extensive and usually very taxing process. By putting yoga on their road to recovery, people can learn new methods of handling stress and discovering their hidden strengths. When deciding which alcohol abuse treatment center to choose for a loved one, consider those that include yoga therapy in their approach to treatment.
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