Most insurance plans will cover either all or a portion of the treatment.
Navigation:
- Overview
- What Is Fitness Therapy?
- What Happens in Fitness Therapy?
- How Effective Is Fitness Therapy in Addiction Treatment?
- Is Fitness Therapy for Everyone?
- Part of a Comprehensive Treatment Plan
- How Do I Find a Rehab Center That Offers Fitness Therapy?
Overview
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 12 percent of American adults experience mobility issues. Physical health challenges can complicate addiction treatment and recovery, and the pursuit of physical fitness can support recovery in a variety of ways. On a clinical level, appropriate physical activity may help alleviate certain withdrawal-related symptoms and improve overall health. On a behavioral and psychological level, it can boost confidence, provide an outlet for negative emotions, and establish a framework for realistic, incremental goal-setting.
Fitness can also provide a pathway back to healthier, more comfortable living for individuals whose bodies have been affected by years of substance use. Many rehab centers offer fitness therapy as part of their continuum of care to support physical recovery, address individual health needs, and help patients establish healthy routines they can maintain after completing treatment.
What Is Fitness Therapy?
At its core, fitness therapy is an intervention that uses exercise and other physical wellness strategies to improve physical and psychological health. It is designed to reduce stress, build strength, increase energy, improve mobility, and promote overall well-being. The process can be especially beneficial during alcohol and drug addiction recovery because it allows patients to establish structure and routine, focus on incremental improvement, and pursue attainable health goals that can make a meaningful difference in their daily lives and long-term recovery.
Fitness therapy should be tailored to each person’s physical abilities, limitations, and tolerance for exercise. Overly strenuous physical activity can cause or worsen injuries, potentially preventing or discouraging individuals from continuing to prioritize their fitness.
What Happens in Fitness Therapy?
While the structure of fitness therapy programs varies depending on patients’ needs, facility resources, and other factors, these programs generally involve guided exercise and physical wellness techniques tailored to each patient’s specific conditions and abilities. Programs may offer different levels of exercise, ranging from low- and high-impact aerobics to strength training, cardiovascular exercise, yoga, and other activities.
These therapies may be supervised and administered by trained, experienced professionals who provide initial guidance and instruction while helping patients develop the skills needed to exercise independently. This allows individuals to integrate physical activity into their everyday lives after treatment. Fitness therapy can range from mild to more intensive exercise, depending on each patient’s physical capabilities, mobility, and tolerance.
How Effective Is Fitness Therapy in Addiction Treatment?
Research has shown that physical activity can be beneficial in addiction treatment. Exercise may help reduce stress, improve mood, increase energy, and support better sleep, all of which can be particularly valuable during recovery. Appropriate physical activity may also help individuals manage certain types of chronic pain, although exercise should be tailored to their medical needs and physical limitations.
Exercise also stimulates the release of endorphins and influences other brain chemicals associated with mood and well-being, potentially providing a healthy source of enjoyment and emotional relief. Many patients who embrace fitness therapy during treatment continue incorporating exercise into their everyday lives. The education and guidance they receive during their programs can help them prioritize physical fitness in an informed, proactive way.
Is Fitness Therapy for Everyone?
One common misconception about fitness therapy is that it is exclusively for people with prior exercise experience. In reality, fitness therapy can benefit individuals at many different fitness levels and is intended to meet people where they are in their personal health and wellness journeys. It may be especially valuable for individuals who have not consistently prioritized their physical well-being before or during their substance use.
It is important to recognize that fitness therapy is a broad category of treatment that can be adapted to each patient’s needs. For one patient, a low- to moderate-impact aerobic or cardiovascular routine may be the most appropriate starting point, whereas another may benefit from more intensive activities, such as circuit training or weightlifting. Individuals with certain medical conditions, injuries, or withdrawal-related complications may need additional evaluation or modifications before beginning an exercise program.
Part of a Comprehensive Treatment Plan
To provide holistic, patient-centered care that addresses a wide range of physical and psychological health needs, many treatment facilities also offer nutritional therapy and other wellness services. These complementary approaches can help patients establish and maintain healthy routines as they transition into long-term recovery.
Case managers at rehab facilities can help coordinate different aspects of treatment to ensure they complement one another and support each patient’s recovery goals. Fitness therapy may be available through inpatient and outpatient treatment programs, partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), and virtual treatment services, depending on the facility’s resources and available programming.
How Do I Find a Rehab Center That Offers Fitness Therapy?
The quickest and easiest way to find a rehab center that offers fitness therapy is to contact the facility you are considering and speak with an admissions representative. You can also begin your search online by exploring rehab centers in your area that incorporate physical fitness and wellness into their treatment programs.
Addiction treatment may be covered by private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid, depending on the facility, your insurance plan, and the services provided. However, fitness therapy may not be covered as a separate service. It is recommended that you speak with an admissions representative and your insurance provider to verify your benefits and determine which services are covered.
Fitness therapy can provide a pathway toward healthier living, improved physical well-being, and a better quality of life. Find a rehab center that offers fitness therapy using our nationwide directory.
