News / Health & Wellness
Yoga and Addiction Treatment
Yoga and other mindful workouts can play a role in the treatment process, helping to center and calm those moving toward recovery.
Treatment programs are turning to yoga for help during addiction treatment.
“Addiction specialists in private practice, rehabilitation programs, and 12-step recovery programs are starting to recognize that the mind-body-spirit approach of yoga is a great adjunct therapy to conventional treatments for drug, alcohol, and food abuse as well as addictive behaviors like gambling and shopping,” according to a recent article in Yoga Journal.
Yoga at The Canyon
That’s not news to the experts at The Canyon. Activities like yoga have long been used to supplement our main drug treatment program.
"Yoga treats the biology and the psychology of an addict," explains New York City addiction psychotherapist Mary Margaret Frederick, Ph.D. "Addicts are profoundly out of control internally. They have knee-jerk panic reactions and tempers. The will and determination yoga requires helps people regain control over their body and their mind."
Yoga helps to counteract that. "Yoga treats the biology and the psychology of an addict. The will and determination yoga requires helps people regain control over their body and their mind," says New York City addiction psychotherapist Mary Margaret Frederick, Ph.D.
It’s not just about the physical exercise. The calm and mindfulness that yoga encourages tie in perfectly with a holistic treatment program. “By sustaining this state we activate deep-relaxation in which our brain produces alpha waves. These produce a condition known as picture-thinking. In this awareness we see ourselves act without feeling the emotions attached,” according to an article at selfgrowth.com. Mindfulness eschews judgment, encouraging practitioners be forgiving of themselves and others.
“Yoga is an antidote to the extremism that characterizes addiction,” the selfgrowth.com article maintains. By focusing on balance and thoughtful, slow movements, it’s the antithesis of the unhealthy behaviors that lead to or go along with addiction. Practices like yoga aren’t going to cure addiction, but they can be an integral part of the healing process.
Drug Treatment
If you or someone you love is battling a drug addiction, call The Canyon at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.
