Exercise as it relates to Disease/Exercise Effects on Substance Addiction

The Effects of Exercise on Substance Addiction

What is Addiction?

Substance Addiction is defined as a chronic brain disease that involves compulsive drug use and seeking, regardless of any harmful consequences. Substance Addictions this can vary from illicit drugs such as heroin, cocaine and amphetamines, legal substances such as alcohol and tobacco, and to over the counter pharmacy drugs such as pain killers. Addictions to substances such as these can have effects on both health and lifestyle, varying depending on level of addiction and the substance.

Effects of sustained substance addiction include

• Changes in personality or behavior
• Mood swings or irrational behavior
• Decrease in motivation
• Decrease in performance at school/work

Possible reasons for addiction

• Genetics; family history of addiction can play a large role in a persons susceptibility to become addicted
• Mental or personality disorders
• Abuse or trauma
• Use of drugs at an early age

Exercise Effects on Addiction

Addiction

The addiction of substances have an effect on the brain and body that stimulates a particular sense. In most cases it is the stimulation of the dopamine receptors in the brain. The stimulation of these receptors induce a pleasant sensation on the brain and stimulates whats known as the 'reward parthway'. How exercise increases such 'happy' feeling is still debated, most speculation is centered around endorphins and neurotransmitters in the brain. After a person has exercised dopamine receptors in the brain are stimulated, if exercise is maintained on a regular program, the stimulation of the dopamine receptors will lower the addictive desire for a particular substance. It has been shown however that exercise mimics the rewards of acute or chronic opiate exposure. Therefore by using exercise as a healthy substitute to substance addiction, the person is able to change the addictive desires for a particular substance,

Depression

Most medications prescribed to people who suffer depression influence the brain by stimulating the dopamine receptors, just like most addictive substances do. As stated above, people who suffer depression can increase levels of these neurotransmitters via exercise. Depression is associated with addiction with 1/3 of people suffering depression experience substance addictions. For more information on exercise and depression visit Exercise as a clinical treatment for depression amongst adolescents.

Anxiety

The effects of exercise on anxiety fall under self-efficacy. Self efficacy is described as belief of ones own ability to reach goals and complete tasks. Under anxiety symptoms this falls generally low. Research has shown however that during exercise pain and fatigue are high when first starting. However as the body develops the adaptions to exercise the pain and fatigue lessen, and self efficacy will rise reducing anxiety symptoms. Exercise will also reduce anxiety symptoms quicker and for longer than other treatments.

Exercise Recommendations

Exercise Type	Specifics	Benefits
Aerobic low - moderate intensity	Cross trainer/stair master, nature walks	Increase blood flow to brain, increases heart strength
Stretching	Yoga, pilates	relieves stress, increases flexibility and strength
Resistance training	Weight programs	Increases muscle activity and size, increases self esteem

Further benefits of exercise as treatment for substance addictions

• Change in Lifestyle
• Positive Change in Health
• Increase in Self Esteem
• Increased Energy Levels
• Reduced Stress
• Increase Social Interaction

Research and Further Reading

* The acute effects of exercise on cigarette cravings

* Exercise - Anxiety, Depression and Stress Sensitivity

* Exercise effects on Mental Health