August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day
And the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) designates September as Recovery Month
Addiction and substance use problems stem from a number of causes. Read on to learn how the multifaceted practices of yoga are being used therapeutically to support recovery.
In print
These peer-reviewed articles from the International Journal of Yoga Therapy, the scholarly publication of the International Association of Yoga Therapists, sample current research approaches to yoga for recovery, centering substance use disorders and chronic pain:
- “Yoga for Substance Use Disorder in Women: A Systematic Review” offers an excellent summary on the current state of the evidence for the use of yoga for women in recovery. Dr. Jennifer Brooks and her colleagues provide a comprehensive review of randomized controlled trials, concluding that although gender-specific research is lacking, yoga shows promise as a complement to conventional care.
- “Assessing the Acceptability of Yoga Among Patients with and without Chronic Pain Enrolled in a Licensed Opioid Treatment Program,” by Elnaz Ahmadi et al., explores the factors that enhance or inhibit a person’s willingness to try yoga for chronic pain management. Among other findings, the authors note that prior yoga experience increases a person’s willingness to try yoga for chronic pain management. Prior yoga experience also correlates with an increased number of coping strategies.
Through the lens of the philosophy, psychology, and physical practices of yoga and its sister science of ayurveda, Yoga of Recovery: Integrating Yoga and Ayurveda with Modern Recovery Tools for Addiction, by Durga Leela, C-IAYT, considers how individual constitutional types influence addictive behaviors.
Trauma, particularly during childhood, is strongly linked to addictive behaviors, and a number of excellent books also cover the use of yoga therapy to support those dealing with trauma and traumatic experiences.
All of these works illustrate the powerful mind-body benefits of yoga in a variety of recovery situations, highlighting the need for more holistic, integrative, and whole-person care models to support these populations’ complex and diverse needs.
In practice
Y12, founded by Nikki Myers, MBA, C-IAYT, offers resources for the Yoga of 12-Step Recovery, spotlighting relapse prevention and reintegration.
Another example of yoga at work in the field comes from licensed clinical social worker Keelyn Riley, who brings simple therapeutic yoga techniques to an outdoor adventure recovery program.
Many yoga therapists can offer support for those dealing with substance use disorders and addiction. Find an IAYT-certified practitioner here.
I Agree , It allows in achieving physical and mental well – being of a person.