Can I Work Out While in Rehab?

Physical fitness and regular exercise can do wonders for a person’s well-being, and the same is true for people who are currently in a drug or alcohol rehab program. This also goes both for patients who are looking to maintain their current exercise program and those who are interested in starting a program while going through substance abuse treatment.

Many modern rehab centers now offer fitness programs as a central component of their treatment, as the benefits of exercise in rehab on mental health are numerous and well documented.

Read on to learn more about the many benefits of fitness during addiction recovery and more about how working out in rehab can set a positive tone for long-term recovery and wellness.

Exercise can play a huge role in addiction treatment, with workout benefits for recovery that can range across many areas of a person’s life.

Physical activity in addiction recovery can help people in physical, emotional, and social ways.

Some of the many physical and emotional benefits of exercise in rehab include:

• Weight management
• Immune system boost
• Improved physical strength
• Reduced cravings and withdrawal symptoms
• Better sleep
• Improved self-esteem
• Improved physical health

Exercise can also serve to greatly reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression for people while in rehab.

Participating in group activities or sports can also give people a sense of routine and structure, goals to work towards, and a sense of community, all of which can help to reduce stress further.

Exercise can also play a role in the detoxification and healing process, a period of substance use treatment that is often considered one of the most difficult.

One way that this happens is through sweating, as people are able to expel toxins through sweat as they work out after quitting drugs and alcohol.

Because fitness programs provide many benefits, more and more inpatient and outpatient rehab centers are incorporating them either as an amenity or as part of treatment.

Patients are also typically encouraged to spend their free time participating in activities that keep them active and socializing with others.

Fortunately, no matter what type of exercise program you are looking for in rehab, there is likely to be a treatment facility nearby that can accommodate your needs.

It is common to find a variety of different exercise options in addiction treatment, depending on location and the age groups served. Some of the best exercises in rehab are those that get a person’s heart rate up through movement.

Exercise programs found in rehab include:

• Yoga
• Cardio
• Strength training
• Aerobic exercise
• Weight lifting
• Team sports
• Outdoor activities

Holistic rehab centers offer alternative forms of fitness therapy, such as yoga and meditation, acupuncture and massage, and more.

These types of rehab fitness programs focus on physical fitness and add an additional layer of spirituality or mindfulness.

Individualized treatment plans and workout routines in rehab are essential when starting a fitness program, as people are entering with a wide range of backgrounds and fitness levels.

People will also have different goals in mind. For example, one person may want to lose weight or tone their body while another is simply looking to have fun or socialize in group activities.

Many rehab centers will impose physical activity restrictions of sorts, as the people entering treatment are from varying backgrounds and fitness levels.

Exercise restrictions may be placed on patients depending on the specific type of exercise program and the person’s overall health issues and capabilities.

It also may depend on the stage of recovery that a person is in, as people may be more limited at the start of recovery and during detox.

Some rehab centers will impose limits on strenuous physical activities and intense exercise, as they can be dangerous to people in certain stages of recovery.

Rehab may also limit workouts if it lacks the medical staff to handle fitness-related injuries or if staff members are not trained for such situations.

The on-site medical staff should be able to assess each patient’s physical activity level and guide them to the right workouts and activities.

They should also be equipped to perform first aid and tend to clients in case of medical emergencies, and be well informed on the physical activity guidelines in rehab for the individual facility.

Working out and addiction recovery work hand in hand for many people as they enter a new sober lifestyle.

Working out has several mental and emotional benefits for those in recovery, including boosting memory, reducing stress, improving cognitive function, and reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.

By helping with mood improvement and stress reduction, working out can help to ensure that people stay elevated and in good spirits during rehab.

Working out can enhance physical recovery in several ways, such as by improving sleep quality, raising energy levels, and enhancing a person’s overall well-being.

Improving one’s physical appearance while also working on fitness goals can additionally raise a person’s self-esteem and confidence levels.

One of the greatest exercise benefits in rehab is that it promotes discipline and maintains structure through a fitness routine.

Not only can this help people with valuable skills like time management, but it can also help improve their self-esteem and confidence as well through fitness for mental health recovery.

While the physical benefits of fitness in rehab may be obvious, it should be known that there are several mental health benefits as well.

Physical activity through exercise can reduce symptoms and anxiety and depression, as well as reduce cravings associated with addiction.

This can make it easier for people in addiction recovery to follow through without relapsing, which can be especially difficult during the detox and withdrawal periods.

Working out also releases endorphins, a group of hormones that reduce pain and boost one’s overall sense of well-being.

Fitness also provides the brain with natural dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is associated with pleasure but which is often depleted with heavy drug or alcohol addiction.

It is well known that there is a strong connection between a person’s physical health and mental health and that people can use fitness for emotional recovery.

When a stronger level of mental clarity is achieved through improved physical health, people are equipped to make better decisions both while in rehab and after finishing.

Exercise is often combined with holistic rehab approaches to promote physical health, mind-body wellness, and overall well-being.

Rehab centers that focus on holistic healing usually provide a combination of services incorporating exercise, mindfulness, and meditation.

Forms of exercise and fitness that can be considered holistic are activities like yoga, pilates, massage, acupuncture, and cup therapy.

There are several types of holistic fitness activities that target both physical activity and mental health at the same time. Yoga and Tai Chi are excellent examples of this.

People who participate in these activities regularly often report improvements in both their physical strength and their mental resilience.

Combining physical activity with mindfulness exercises can improve the effectiveness of both simultaneously.

These activities can help keep people focused in the moment during exercise, as well as help them focus on their breathing and remain balanced.

It’s important that every individual has a workout routine that is tailored to them, as everyone has their own unique health history and fitness goals.

Every patient who enters drug and alcohol abuse rehab does so with their own unique background of health conditions and their own unique level of fitness and experience.

With this in mind, exercise routines should also be unique to each individual and incorporate their preferences and goals for fitness and treatment.

When creating a fitness plan during rehab, there are multiple people that you should consult with, including both fitness and medical professionals.

This can help you to ensure that you aren’t participating in any activities or exercises before you are ready for them.

Some people in rehab may have mobility concerns or limitations based on health conditions, and modifications or adaptations should be made for these individuals.

This can mean using modified exercises or limiting weights or repetitions based on what is safe and comfortable for different fitness levels in rehab.

By maintaining nutrition and exercise in rehab, individuals can improve their fitness performance and their dedication to the diet and fitness process as a whole in recovery.

A balanced diet is essential for physical fitness, as healthy eating in rehab can enhance physical performance and support energy levels.

This can help people who are feeling sluggish or unmotivated while in rehab to get moving and find more energy.

Substance abuse can also wreak havoc on a person’s body in different ways, depending on the type of substance abused and the severity of the abuse.

People can combat this by eating foods that promote healing and growth like lots of protein and whole grains.

Since nutrition is so important to recovery and fitness, it is not uncommon to find specialized nutrition plans at some rehabs now.

Specialized nutrition plans can include plant-based options, such as vegetarian or vegan options or plans like keto, which are considered to be beneficial for people in recovery.

Even if you are not at a higher fitness level, you can still find ways to stay active and participate in physical activity during rehab.

If you are at a low fitness level to start with, you will likely want to start slowly with light activities like walking and stretching.

Do not attempt to do more than this until you are comfortable doing so and only after you have spoken with your healthcare provider.

As your body heals and your fitness level improves, you should feel free to progress the levels of your workouts – as long as a medical provider gives you the okay.

You can also set small, achievable goals for yourself in each stage and make sure that you celebrate when achieving your goals.

Motivation is not always easy to maintain when it comes to fitness, and this can be even more true for people who are also working on treating their alcohol and drug abuse at the same time.

A great way to stay active in rehab is to work out with friends or in a group, as you will have others to hold you accountable to.

While people are welcome to exercise however they feel most comfortable, there are proven benefits to participating in group fitness in rehab.

Group classes offer an excellent opportunity for people in rehab to build support networks and find camaraderie.

Group exercises in rehab can include classes such as yoga or pilates or playing group sports together, like basketball.

By working out regularly in a group, you start to build a community of people who share interests and can support one another.

Furthermore, you are all working on similar goals and have multiple things in common through both fitness and addiction recovery, and can even stay connected through aftercare and beyond.

Group exercise in addiction recovery can also help people support one another and encourage each other during difficult challenges.

It can also provide accountability and make people more likely to participate if they know that others are counting on them.

Do not give up if you are interested in a fitness program during rehab and your rehab center doesn’t offer one, as you still have other options.

Even if your rehab facility does not offer a structured fitness program, you can still do light activities on your own to stay active. This can mean activities as simple as taking a daily walk or jog, and doing so outside whenever possible.

Simple, self-guided exercises are those that require little to no equipment and can be done at any time and in a small area even when there is no fitness in rehab available.

These can include exercises like squats, planks, lunges, and push-ups, as well as wall squats and wall push-ups.

You may also want to suggest or advocate for your rehab center to start a fitness program, explaining the many benefits of doing so.

Presenting research on the benefits of exercise for addiction recovery and relapse prevention while advocating for it can be helpful.

You are likely to run into challenges when taking on a fitness regime during an addiction treatment program.

People are sure to face challenges when starting a fitness program in rehab, which can include physical limitations, low energy levels, lack of motivation, and more.

People in rehab may also have a fear of judgment, especially in group activities, as well as problems with negative thought patterns.

For help in overcoming workout barriers in exercise, it can be a good idea to practice mindfulness and use positive affirmations. It can also be helpful to find physical activities that you enjoy and to incorporate them into your daily routine.

It is also important that people set realistic fitness goals for themselves during rehab so as not to put too much pressure on themselves or expect too much.

Along this same line, it can be helpful to break down goals into smaller achievements and also to focus on physical activities that are personally enjoyable.

Having opportunities to work on one’s physical fitness and exercise in rehab for alcohol or drug addiction can make all the difference for some people in achieving a healthy and drug-free lifestyle.

If you need help locating a quality drug or alcohol addiction treatment center for yourself or a loved one that integrates fitness and addiction recovery, RehabNet.com is here to help.

Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of working out while in alcohol and drug rehab and to get started on your own recovery journey today.