Exercise and Addiction Recovery | Atlanta Detox Center

Drug and Alcohol Detox Center

Considering the physical and emotional toll that addiction can take on a person, the roles of food, exercise, and drug addiction intertwine in unexpected ways. Traditionally, the focus on exercise during recovery has been to rid the body of substances, like THC stored in fat cells, or to boost mood and reinforce abstinence. Yet, recent studies suggest a deeper connection between physical activity and behavioral health improvement. Through the lens of Atlanta Detox Center, a leading detox facility in Georgia, we navigate the intersection of nutrition, exercise, and addiction recovery, advocating for comprehensive wellness strategies tailored to individual needs.

Food, Exercise, and Drug Addiction: A Strange Combination

Towards the end of drug or alcohol use, many of us might have only worked out how to pass a drug test. We knew that THC from marijuana use was stored in our fat cells, so we’d drink lots of water and burn fat to get it out of our urine samples. However, some studies show that exercise could decrease substance use and reinforce abstinence.¹ Maintaining a healthy diet may increase mood and long-term recovery. Physical fitness as a benefit of exercise is not a new phenomenon.

However, in addition to physical health, exercise greatly improves behavioral health problems. Maintaining healthy fitness in recovery is not the same thing as working out to stop alcoholism, but it can greatly increase your chances of achieving long-term quality recovery. Physical activity while using drugs is not recommended and could be very dangerous due to increased or decreased heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration. Since many drugs and withdrawals often deplete your body of nutrients, leave you dehydrated, and create electrolyte imbalances in your body, exercise should always be discussed with your treatment team to ensure safety.

Can You Be Addicted to Exercise?

Yes, people can experience an addiction to exercise. Physical activity can give people in early recovery from drug addiction a natural high. Exercise “highs” happen when the brain releases endorphins after vigorous exercise, such as from running or doing other forms of cardio.

It is worth noting that there is no such thing as a good addiction. Some people in substance use recovery will develop exercise addictions, during which they will continue to prioritize working out to the point that it makes other elements of their lives unmanageable. While an exercise addiction isn’t as deadly as an addiction to drugs or alcohol, the fallout can be similar.

Symptoms of exercise addiction can include:

A persistent desire to exercise, even when injured or ill.
Neglecting responsibilities or social activities to prioritize exercise.
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when unable to exercise.
Continuing to exercise despite physical or psychological harm.
Having a preoccupation with exercise, and constantly thinking about it.
Having an increased tolerance to exercise and needing to do more to feel the same effects.
Using exercise as a means to cope with stress or negative emotions.
Denying the presence of negative consequences from excessive exercise.

At our Atlanta Detox Center, we provide patients with various wellness services, including on-site visits from yoga teachers and exercise instructors to catered meals. Case managers also help our patients learn about nutrition and map out healthy grocery lists.

Eating Healthier Improves Recovery!

When entering recovery for drug or alcohol addiction, exercise is not the only way you can work towards bettering your health. Learning to eat healthier, balanced meals is one thing you can utilize in early recovery to curb cravings and create a healthier lifestyle. This will also help to repair organ tissues, fight depression, and increase depleted serotonin caused by drug or alcohol misuse. People who misuse alcohol get fifty percent of their daily calories from alcohol consumption, leaving their bodies at high risk of vitamin deficiencies such as calcium and zinc, as well as malnutrition and a weakened immune system.

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in salmon, walnuts, and chia seeds and are proven to improve depressive symptoms and even aid the effects of antidepressants. When people are entering early recovery, they often substitute sugar or caffeine for drugs or alcohol, which can lead to other health problems. The extra consumption of sugar or caffeine may be linked to more intense drug or alcohol-related cravings. Alcohol turns into sugar once it is in the body, which is why many people who are recovering from alcohol addiction crave this substance. However, when you give in to this craving again and again, it does not give your body time to heal. Sugar may cause your mind and body to crave alcohol, which can lead to irritability, anxiety, and depression.

Regardless of whether you misuse alcohol or drugs, it is important for your health and recovery to eat a complex diet made up of carbs, protein, calcium-rich foods, healthy fats, and plenty of water. It is proven that a healthy diet can improve your recovery and your brain function!

Recovery Programs at Our Detox in Atlanta

At our detox centers in Georgia, your daily meals are catered to help improve your health through the detox process. A case manager will help you plan grocery lists that will help aid in your addiction recovery once you leave our care. Our detox near Atlanta offers medically assisted detox for alcohol , prescription drugs , opioids , methamphetamine , and heroin, and more. We also offer exercise classes such as yoga.