Overcoming drug addiction? Strength training helps

Taureau

Taureau

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Drug abusers often do not have much muscles, and have a lifestyle with countless other negative health effects. Drug abusers fall for example more often, and break bones more often. For these reasons, and because strength training also has all kinds of positive mental effects, Norwegian researchers wondered what might happen when drug users, who want to get rid of their addiction, do strength training in addition to their treatment. The results of the Norwegian's study are not disappointing.

Study
The researchers, who were affiliated with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, experimented with 16 ex-drug abusers who wanted to get rid of their addiction in a clinic for 8 weeks.

The researchers divided the subjects into 2 groups. One group did strength training 3 times a week, the other group did not.




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The subjects in the strength training group trained their upper legs on a hack squat machine, and their calves on a calf raise machine. The subjects trained with 85-90 percent of the load with which they could just make 1 rep. With that weight they made 4 sets of 4-5 repetitions per exercise. The subjects rested for 3 minutes between sets.
 
All subjects also exercised about three hours a week. "The treatment program included: ball games, yoga, stretching, outdoor walking and low resistance strength training (estimated less than 50% or 1RM)", the researchers explained.



Results
Strength training made the subjects stronger.





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The rate of force development also increased in the strength training group. An increase in rate of force development predicts that the risk of falls decreases because the brain has improved its control over the muscles.





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More convincing was the effect of strength training on insomnia, which affected all subjects. Only in the strength training group did the sleep problems decrease significantly. The sleep problems in this group almost completely disappeared.




Conclusion
"This study shows that maximal strength training is a feasible, safe and effective method to improve muscle strength and function during substance use disorder treatments", the Norwegians concluded.



"The improvements in physical health implies that the substance use disorder patients have reduced their risk for traumas, falls and fractures, life style related diseases and all-cause mortality. Recognizing the poor physical condition of substance use disorder patients, effective physical training, targeting muscle strength and aerobic capacity should be implemented in clinical treatment to improve physical and mental health."
 
Is it the same for alcoholic addiction? There is a center for alcoholics in our town, and they are currently looking for new ways of treating the addiction. I would suggest fherehab.com use this method if it proves to be an effective one. It is evident that alcoholics have trouble with physical activity and often lose muscle mass. Some of them look almost like dry trees or something like this. Do you think it might be a good idea to give them some supplements? I mean, something like peptides or proteins? Will it boost their productivity or kill their liver?
 
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In reality alot of addicts move onto other addictions, I had a drug addiction and got clean then developed a food and porn addiction but it wasn't until I found the gym that I had a healthy addiction minus always being beat up, dehydrated and a massive addiction to caffeine I would say this addiction is going pretty good.
 
Its great to see some treatment centers are now incorporating exercise and resistance training in their curriculum with positive results. Studies have shown the benefits of training in the recovery process. To quote:

A collection of studies suggest that regular exercise can increase the abstinence rate for substance use by 95 percent. These studies also found that exercise can help manage stress, depression and anxiety, which can all contribute to substance use.
 
Interesting this thread is bumped recently when I decide to randomly drop by here. Been fighting a vicious addiction for a while now honestly surprised I'm still kicking after multiple OD. Anyways I'm sorry but no this would not work for the vast vast majority whom are seriously hardcore with the stuff, a little pill habit is not what I mean here. like I really couldn't imagine stepping in the gym now when it's a task itself simply just to get showered and buy groceries. Don't get me wrong I'm happy for those who beat their demons with iron but take a walk down skidrow and look at the people, they are too busy folded up in a human pretzel to tie their shoes so forget the gym. Its all too common these days things getting out of control. Not looking for sympathy only wanted to give my 2c and briefly share. Try to get clean soon and get back to where I left off. at least I'm super lean for once.
 
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