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Exercise as Medicine for Addiction Recovery
Katie M Heinrich1, Megan S Patterson2, Beth Collinson1
1Department of Research and Evaluation, The Phoenix, Boston, MA.
Current Sports Medicine Reports
|August 4, 2025
Summary
Exercise significantly aids addiction recovery by fostering empowerment and connection. Integrating diverse physical activities into recovery programs is crucial for long-term well-being and addressing stigma.
Area of Science:
- Addiction Medicine
- Behavioral Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Problematic substance use affects millions, with low treatment access rates.
- Addiction recovery is a complex process involving significant behavior change.
- Exercise offers a promising avenue to support recovery and enhance well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of exercise in addiction recovery, both within and outside formal treatment.
- To highlight the mental, physical, and social benefits of various exercise modalities for sustained recovery.
- To identify recommendations for integrating exercise into addiction recovery support systems.
Main Methods:
- Literature review examining the impact of exercise on substance use disorder recovery.
- Analysis of research on different exercise types (aerobic, strength, mind-body, outdoor).
- Consideration of exercise within formal treatment and community-based recovery settings.
Main Results:
- Diverse exercise forms provide essential benefits for mental, physical, and social aspects of recovery.
- Existing research is more concentrated in formal treatment settings, but community programs are growing.
- Exercise can empower individuals and foster a sense of connectedness during recovery.
Conclusions:
- Exercise is a vital component of addiction recovery, acting as a form of 'medicine'.
- Greater integration of individuals in recovery into exercise programs is recommended.
- Developing inclusive, stigma-reducing exercise communities and exploring diverse exercise benefits are key.
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