The therapeutic effects of exercise on drug addiction: a narrative study

Abstract

 Drug addiction is a major public health concern worldwide, affecting millions of individuals and their families.  Despite the availability of various treatments, the relapse rate remains high, highlighting the need for innovative and effective interventions.  Sport and physical activity have been increasingly recognized as a promising adjuvant treatment for drug addiction, but the evidence base is still limited. A comprehensive literature search was performed using major databases (e.g., PubMed  and Scopus Web of Science) Studies were included if they met the following criteria: (a) published in English, (b) examined the effects of sport or physical activity on drug addiction (c)Quantitative results reported. The  effects of exercise interventions on treatment outcomes for individuals with drug addiction have been studied. Sports or physical activities have been identified as most effective for reducing drug cravings and improving  mental health outcomes. The results showed a positive effect of sports psychotherapy on the psychological and mental health of those addicted to  drugs, in addition to improving physical endurance and general quality of life.