Daily exercise helps check drug abuse in any form OXIDATIVE STRESS COMMON
Substance abuse such as alcohol, smoking, illicit drugs is a global health concern. It is also known as drug abuse, in which the user consumes the substance in amounts which are harmful to them.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), substance abuse can lead to dependence syndrome — characterised as behavioural, neurological, and physiological phenomena that develop after repeated substance use and that typically include a strong desire to take the drug, difficulties in controlling its use, persisting in its use despite harmful consequences.
In modern society it is accounting for morbidity and mortality in increasing numbers. 3.8% to 6% of deaths occur annually worldwide as a result of abuse.
Addiction causes a lot of physiological dysfunction, which include reduction in muscle strength, body sensation, loss of visual, hearing functions and cognitive impairment, depression and poor performance, which in turn causes physical, psychological, social and economic burden on an individual and their family.
ROLE OF EXERCISE IN SUB
STANCE ABUSE
The mainstay treatment for the management of addiction disorder is drug therapy, but recent data suggests that this type of intervention possess a lot of side-effects. Physical exercise is an alternative method, which is both pharmacological and non-invasive, with increasing literature supporting its efficacy on physical and mental health.
Recent studies suggest that exercise, in any form, can alleviate symptoms of addiction. The mechanism for this effect being — the release of happy hormones like serotonin and dopamine from the body, which cause euphoria, motivational enhancement and well-being in a manner similar to the addicted drug. Therefore, the need for consuming drugs decreases as the body achieves a certain amount of ‘high’, making the person satisfied.
WHAT TYPE OF EXERCISES SHOULD BE DONE?
Low, moderate, and high intensity long-term fitness-based exercises should be incorporated with emphasis on:
1 Deep breathing exercises to improve the compliance of lungs which may in turn enhance oxygen uptake
2 Aerobic exercises such as walking, running, cycling, swimming to improve cardio-respiratory fitness
3 Strength, flexibility and fitness training for overall conditioning of the body
In conclusion, physical exercise is a healthy, potentially helpful lifestyle change. It should be incorporated into daily routine which may help in reducing, preventing, and/or treating a wide variety of mental and physical health problems commonly associated with substance abuse. Maintaining a regular exercise routine is essential. Hence, research-based physical exercise training with proper dosimetry is a promising adjunctive management technique for substance abuse in various individuals.