*Disclaimer: Please note that parts of this blog have been automatically translated.*
Physical activity reduces immediate cravings for addictive substances. Yet long-term physical activity often does not work in the treatment of addiction, such as smoking1. Why is this?
And more importantly, how can we change this? Research shows that people do not sustain physical activity over the long term. Those people who do continue physical activity are more likely to get rid of their addiction
2. So how do we ensure that people maintain physical activity long-term?
To sustain physical activity in general, it is important to adapt the level (type) of activity to the individual’s desires and abilities. In addition, I believe that within the addiction context, more is achieved when physical activity is used directly to deal with personal addiction sensitivities. Addiction sensitivities are characteristics of a person’s self that reinforce feelings of craving for substances. Some people start using substances because they experience stress or specific negative emotions, while others are particularly triggered by seeing or smelling substances
3.
Therapists can help in understanding these personal addiction sensitivities, through cognitive behavioral therapy, for example. These insights can then be used directly in “if-then plans” that support physical activity. For example, “If I’m stressed, I take an active walk. Or, ‘If I have negative thoughts, I do 10 push-ups’.
Moral of this blog?
When physical activity is used directly and structurally to “quell” personal addictions, a new habit is developed. This new habit replaces the old addictive behavior. This will then lead to changes at the ‘brain level’ as well, reducing addiction sensitivity. This is not only because new responses are learned, but also because physical activity itself can be rewarding. As a result, it partially replaces the rewarding effects of substances. In this way, I hope we can better beat addiction with exercise. The future will (hopefully) tell us!
This blog was written by Dr. Junilla Larsen (Radboud University) for RAD-blog, the blog on smoking, alcohol, drugs and diet.
References
- Noël, X., Brevers, D., & Bechara, A. (2013). A triadic neurocognitive approach to addiction for clinical interventions. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 4, 179.
- Patterson, M. S., Spadine, M. N., Graves Boswell, T., Prochnow, T., Amo, C., Francis, A. N., Russell, A. M., & Heinrich, K. M. (2022). Exercise in the treatment of addiction: A systematic literature review. Health Education & Behavior, 49(5), 801-819.
- Zhou, Y., Feng, W., Guo, Y., & Wu, J. (2023). Effect of exercise intervention on smoking cessation: a meta-analysis. Frontiers in Physiology, 14, 1221898-1221898.
