However, there is good news! According to Dr. Megan Patterson and her colleagues writing for Sage Journals, “Results affirm that exercise can be a helpful aspect of addiction treatment.” Another study out of the NIH and National Laboratories of Medicine concluded, “The moderate and high-intensity aerobic exercises, designed according to the Guidelines of American College of Sports Medicine, and the mind-body exercises, can be an effective and persistent treatment for those with SUD.”
The bottomline is this: when your regular recovery strategy (group work, therapy, study, prayer, etc.) is paired with consistent exercise, particularly in moments of temptation, the occurrence of relapse diminishes to nearly zero. It’s a win-win - you experience recovery success and your over-all health improves dramatically.
Exercise is the missing link in recovery work.
To jump start your recovery this Spring, we’re hosting the Samson Society Recovery Marathon, Sunday, April 21, 7:00AM CT - 7:00PM CT.
It is a virtual event where you participate on your own or with family or friends in your own neighborhood.
In this case “marathon” doesn’t refer to distance, it is a reminder that recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. You can do an actual marathon in the twelve hours, or a half-marathon, or even walk around the block each of the twelve hours. The distance and intensity is up to you.
At the top of each hour there will be an online presentation on one of the traditional 12 Steps by an expert in recovery, followed by your run or walk for that hour (1-2 miles or 1-2 blocks, your choice), and after that you will sit down to journal your thoughts on that Step in your life. You’ll have some time to rest and refuel to get ready for the next hour. The point is to use exercise as a mind-body glue for your recovery.
12 Steps in 12 Hours.
Some in-person and online Samson Society groups are challenging their whole group to do the event “together.” There will be a chat room provided specifically for the event. If you have questions, check out the FAQ page.
It’s only five weeks away so sign up ASAP!
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