Alternative therapies like mindfulness meditation, art, and yoga can be instrumental in addiction recovery. Studies now show that addiction does not occur in a bubble. Every aspect of a person’s life affects addiction and recovery. Developing regular practices like yoga can be a great way to supplement other forms of addiction treatment. A yoga therapy program is a place to start for those interested in yoga for addiction treatment.
Ready to learn more about the benefits of yoga for addiction recovery? The team at A Better State can help. Our treatment center focuses on trauma-informed addiction recovery in New Hampshire. With a range of holistic outpatient treatment programs like yoga therapy, A Better State is a leader in partial-hospitalization program (PHP) and intensive outpatient program (IOP) treatments, providing the New Hampshire area with the treatment options they need. Call us now at 781.412.1488 to learn more about our yoga therapy program and get started today.
What Is Yoga for Addiction Recovery?
Yoga has become increasingly popular in the United States in recent decades. Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice from East India. There are several types of yogic practices based on subtle sciences and ancient practices to connect the mind and body, decrease stress, and increase awareness. Today, yoga is used to help people:
- Recover from substance use
- Cope with emotions more effectively
- Strengthen the body and mind for relapse prevention
- Find refuge and solace in their emotions
- Connect to inner spiritual resources in times of difficulty
It’s also an increasingly common form of physical exercise, strengthening muscles, increasing flexibility, and helping people push the limits and boundaries of their bodies. When used alongside other therapies, yoga can help people integrate changes in thoughts, belief systems, and overall behaviors.
Practicing Yoga for Substance Abuse
Studies show that mindfulness, also known as “present moment awareness,” can help reduce addiction triggers. Stress, unprocessed trauma, and various people, places, and situations can cause someone to crave drugs or alcohol or push them towards reuse. This happens when the nervous system is triggered into a state of dysregulation. This can cause anxiety, nervousness, increased heart rate, and reactionary behavior for some. Once the nervous system is dysregulated, returning to a calm state is hard. Once calmed, it’s unlikely a person will crave drugs or alcohol.
Because yoga engages the brain and body while focusing on breathing, it can calm the nervous system and reduce the impact of triggers. Through deep breathing and holding various poses, yoga can challenge the brain and body while also allowing chemicals like adrenaline and cortisol to process through physical engagement. During many forms of yoga, a person is challenged to hold a pose for an extended period. This is both mentally and physically challenging. It also provides built-in goals to help people focus on building healthy mental and physical habits throughout recovery.
The Connection Between Yoga and Addiction Treatment
Yoga for addiction treatment is an evidence-based practice. It has been used in traditional treatment settings for many years. Yoga can help people build physical and mental strength, manage emotional triggers, and reduce stress while building healthy habits to support recovery moving forward.
At A Better State, we believe that focusing on the whole person is integral to addiction treatment. Our yoga therapy program provides an opportunity to discuss recovery and learn physical mindfulness practices that can be used in real life. We create a safe, welcoming environment where people can relax, build skills, increase awareness of body sensations, and develop healthy coping mechanisms for lasting change.
While in addiction recovery, yoga can help with relapse prevention. Through developing increased physical and mental strength, people can build confidence and courage to take healthy risks that promote meaningful sobriety.
Begin Yoga for Addiction Recovery in New Hampshire Today
While there are yoga classes and practices across New Hampshire, yoga for addiction treatment can help implement recovery tools in practice with others on the road to recovery. If you or someone in your life would benefit from yoga for addiction recovery, call A Better State now. Our trauma-informed PHP and IOP programs provide dual diagnoses for long-term addiction and trauma recovery. Along with our yoga therapy program, we provide clients with:
- Art therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Mindfulness meditation therapy
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
With a focus on dual diagnosis and trauma healing, our yoga program can help you re-center, strengthen your mind and body, and reduce addiction triggers. A Better State is here to help you and your loved ones recover at a pace that works for you.
Call A Better State Now to Get Started
A Better State is a leader in addiction recovery and yoga therapy in the New Hampshire area. Our trauma-informed PHP and IOP programs provide personalized care for individuals and families in need of addiction treatment. Our yoga therapy program helps people re-center, reduce addiction triggers, and rebuild physical and mental strength throughout their recovery journey. Contact us at 781.412.1488 to learn more about the benefits of yoga therapy and get started today.
