Detoxifying or just detoxing is a common starting point for many people who want to begin down the path to sobriety after suffering from a drug or alcohol addiction. In some recovery centers, detoxing can integrate medications and medical equipment, which is known as medical detox. No matter what it is called or what it involves, detoxing will look a little different for everyone because it should be formed to match the individual’s health and recovery needs. For some people, this could mean that detoxing includes regular exercise.
Does Exercise Rid the Body of Harmful Drugs?
It is important to understand that exercise alone will not make your body expel the remnants of harmful drugs and substances. Many people believe that you can simply “sweat out” addictive substances through exercise and become sober, but this is not true. While sweating is one of your body’s natural processes to remove toxins, it does so in a minimally effective way because sweat is primarily used to cool you down.
If someone has told you that exercise is the only thing you need to do to detox, then they were mistaken. If they told you that it would make a huge or immediate difference, then they were also probably not fully grasping the purpose and methods of detoxification.
How Does Exercise Help with Detoxing?
Given that exercise does not magically force toxic substances out of your body, what does it do during the detox process? For the most part, regular exercise while detoxing will help you as it helps anyone else in that it can improve various bodily functions and your overall mood.
Many people who exercise regularly experience:
- Improved sleep cycles and reduced insomnia or night terrors
- Heightened levels of energy throughout the day
- Even moods without unpredictable swings or changes
The concept of integrating exercise into detoxing is based on the simple premise that if you feel better in your own skin, then you’re better equipped to tackle the day’s challenges, such as fighting substance addiction. As explained, exercise won’t instantly detox you, but it could really help you stay focused on your sobriety.
Detox with Professional Assistance
As excited as you might be to start detoxing and exercising to gain sobriety, it is always recommended that you consult with an addiction recovery professional first. Detoxing can be a rigorous process depending on your overall health, what addictive substance you are fighting, and what withdrawal symptoms you can expect. For some people with underlying health issues, exercising during detox could be a problem, such as someone with cardiovascular problems that might be heightened after quitting an addictive substance. The guidance and support of a professional are difficult to replace in such a situation.
If you live in Georgia, Mount Sinai Wellness Center can help you achieve and maintain sobriety, starting with a safe medical detox program designed with your health in center focus. We can use a variety of treatment methods during and after detox to give you the strongest chance of success. Please contact us now if you think you need our help – we’re standing by!
