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Yoga and substance use disorders: A narrative review
Siddharth Sarkar1, Mohit Varshney1
1Department of Psychiatry and NDDTC, AIIMS, New Delhi, India.
Asian Journal of Psychiatry
|March 7, 2017
Summary
Yoga may help treat substance use disorders by reducing distress and promoting overall health. This review examines the evidence and mechanisms behind yoga
Area of Science:
- Integrative medicine
- Mental health
- Addiction treatment
Background:
- Yoga is increasingly recognized for its health benefits, including stress reduction.
- Its application extends to mental health conditions, notably substance use disorders (SUDs).
- Existing literature suggests yoga's potential as a therapeutic intervention for SUDs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the existing literature on yoga's efficacy in treating substance use disorders.
- To explore the potential mechanisms through which yoga may benefit individuals with SUDs.
- To discuss the clinical implications and challenges in interpreting yoga research for SUDs.
Main Methods:
- A narrative review of published literature.
- Focus on evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
- Exploration of theoretical mechanisms and clinical applications.
Main Results:
- Presents the current evidence base for yoga in SUD treatment, highlighting findings from RCTs.
- Discusses potential biological and psychological mechanisms of yoga's therapeutic effects.
- Identifies areas for future research and clinical integration.
Conclusions:
- Yoga shows promise as an adjunctive therapy for substance use disorders.
- Further high-quality research, particularly RCTs, is needed to solidify its role.
- Understanding yoga's mechanisms can inform its effective clinical application in addiction treatment.
