“Promising Evidence” Exercise Helps Battle Addiction: New Study

Exercise may be an effective therapy for people with substance use disorders. More than 40 million Americans aged 12 or older had a substance use disorder in the past year, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. A new study finds that adding physical activity to their treatment plan may benefit their physical and mental health.

Researchers reviewed 43 previous investigations and found what they call promising evidence that exercise interventions help reduce the use of alcohol, pot, opioids, and other psychoactive substances. Their analysis also showed a link between exercise therapy and both increased aerobic capacity and decreased symptoms of depression. The most common physical activity used by participants was of moderate intensity three times per week. The authors say that while these findings are encouraging, more rigorous studies are needed.