Substance use disorders are associated with a wide range of short and long-term health effects. They can vary depending on the type of drug, how much and how often it’s taken, and the person’s general health. Overall, the effects of drug abuse and dependence can be widespread, and they can impact almost every system in the human body. Since active addiction is so destructive to the body, is it recommended to exercise during drug detox? Let’s explore this subject so that we can all be better informed. Also, please remember that it’s always advised to consult with a physician before beginning any exercise program.
Table of Contents
Side effects of drug addiction may include:
- A weakened immune system, increasing the risk of illness and infection
- Heart conditions ranging from abnormal heart rates to heart attacks and collapsed veins and blood vessel infections from injected drugs
- Nausea and abdominal pain, which can also lead to changes in appetite and weight loss
- Increased strain on the liver, which puts the person at risk of significant liver damage or liver failure
- Seizures, stroke, mental confusion, and brain damage
- Lung disease
- Problems with memory, attention, and decision-making, which make daily living more difficult
- Global effects of drugs on the body, such as breast development in men and increases in body temperature, can lead to other health problems
Substance use disorders can also lead to multiple behavioral problems, both in the short and long-term, which can include:
- Paranoia
- Aggressiveness
- Hallucinations
- Addiction
- Impaired Judgment
- Impulsiveness
- Loss of Self Control
Drug abuse has serious consequences, such as missed work, punishable offenses, accidents, and injuries. Alcohol and drugs are often the reason for many offenses leading to jail time.
After one is ready to surrender and turn their lives around, one of the first steps is usually detox, if one has been using for a long continuous period of time. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH):
Medical detoxification safely manages the acute physical symptoms of withdrawal associated with stopping drug use. However, medical detoxification is only the first stage of addiction treatment and by itself does little to change long-term drug use. Although detoxification alone is rarely sufficient to help addicts achieve long-term abstinence, for some individuals it is a strongly indicated precursor to effective drug addiction treatment.
There are many different forms of detox and length of stay. Withdrawal is a part of the detox and varies among individuals depending on the drug used and the size. Withdrawal symptoms can affect a person physically, mentally, or emotionally. Going through withdrawal is a complex process and is dealt with in many practical ways.
Physical activity has numerous health benefits for people recovering from a substance use disorder. Regular exercise can reduce stress, increase self-confidence, improve both physical and mental health, but can you exercise during the drug detox process? Yes, it helps and lessens withdrawal symptoms and immediately reverses the physical and psychological harm done while in active addiction. But the exercise should be very light and not intensive because your body is regulating itself from drug abuse during this time.
Exercise is Great for Your Body
Light exercise under the guidance and supervision of clinicians is one of the best ways to improve your physical and mental health during the recovery and detox from drug or alcohol addiction. In addition to strengthening your muscles and bones, it can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke. It can also decrease the chances of developing Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and certain cancers.
While rehab is effective, it does not guarantee sobriety. People in recovery deal with various stressors that can result in drug or alcohol use, including triggers and cravings. Many people who complete treatment experience relapse.
But physical activity can assist people striving to maintain sobriety. Whether it involves walking around the neighborhood, running through a park, or playing recreational sports at a nearby gym, exercise can provide physical and mental relief to those battling stress during the detox process.
Allure Detox is a New Way to Start Your Life Again
Allure Detox is here to help addicts and alcoholics that want to detox safely. We are a comfortable and evidence-based drug and alcohol detox in West Palm Beach, Florida. We can free you or your loved one from the physical symptoms of addiction and start you on the path to recovery. We offer detox from drugs and alcohol on a medical basis so that you can safely resume the life you once lived, the life you thought was lost forever. Addicts emerge from Allure Detox healthy, sane, and prepared for a lifetime of recovery. Don’t hesitate to contact us today if you or someone you love is suffering the pain of addiction.