{"id":14920,"date":"2025-09-25T07:54:43","date_gmt":"2025-09-25T07:54:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/?p=14920"},"modified":"2025-11-02T15:18:23","modified_gmt":"2025-11-02T15:18:23","slug":"fitness-into-recovery-programmes-at-crossroads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/fitness-into-recovery-programmes-at-crossroads\/","title":{"rendered":"How does Crossroads Recovery Centre incorporate fitness into recovery programs"},"content":{"rendered":"<header><div class=\"contained\"><div><div><\/div><div class=\"content\"><h1>How does Crossroads Recovery Centre incorporate fitness into recovery programs<\/h1><a href=\"#recoveryModal\" class=\"btn submit\" data-toggle=\"modal\">Reach out now, we can help<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/header><div id=\"crumbs\" class=\"contained\" data-is-podcasts=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\">Home<\/a>  \/  <\/div><h3 data-date='25 September 2025' class='article-title'>How does Crossroads Recovery Centre incorporate fitness into recovery programs<\/h3><div class='info'><span>25 September, 2025<\/span><span>Articles, News<\/span><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fitness into Recovery Programmes at Crossroads<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Experts think regular&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/fitness-exercise\/ss\/slideshow-7-most-effective-exercises\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">physical activity<\/a>&nbsp;can act as a healthy stand-in for addictive substances. That&rsquo;s because exercise and drugs of misuse work on similar parts of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/brain\/brain-diseases\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">your brain<\/a>. They both activate your reward pathway, which triggers the release of feel-good chemicals like serotonin and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/drugs\/2\/drug-6226\/dopamine-intravenous\/details\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">dopamine<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Studies show it might:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ease withdrawal.&nbsp;<\/strong>Regular exercise can lessen&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/anxiety-panic\/default.htm\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">anxiety<\/a>, depression, and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/balance\/stress-management\/default.htm\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">stress<\/a>. These are common symptoms you might get during recovery that can lead to relapse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Curb cravings.&nbsp;<\/strong>You can get a really strong urge to use drugs when you try to avoid them. Exercise can distract you from cravings or make them less powerful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Replace your triggers.&nbsp;<\/strong>A new exercise routine can give you something to do and build your social network. This might help you avoid people, places, or things that remind you of drugs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Substance use disorders (SUDs), including alcohol use disorder (AUD), are among the most prevalent mental health disorders. Worldwide, up to 15% of individuals are likely to experience a SUD in their lifetime. Approximately 250,000 global deaths per year are attributable to illicit drug use, and 2.25 million are attributable to alcohol use. Furthermore, individuals with SUDs face elevated risks of multiple comorbid mental and physical health problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>some studies have found that individuals who report hazardous levels of drinking also report less physical activity, but others have found the reverse or no relationship between these two risk factors. One study showed that those engaging in physical activity or related behaviors (e.g. planning physical activity) during treatment for substance use report lower substance use than those not engaged in these activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Strengthens Physical Health and Resilience<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Engaging in regular exercise helps rebuild a body often weakened by the effects of drugs and alcohol, enhancing muscle strength, improving cardiovascular health, and stabilizing energy levels throughout the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Exercise repairs and fortifies the body&rsquo;s systems, making them stronger against future stresses and reducing the likelihood of physical relapse. For individuals recovering from substance abuse, the restoration of physical health is a crucial step toward regaining confidence in their ability to care for their bodies without reliance on substances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Exercise activities promote better sleep patterns, which are essential for physical recovery and mental health, and aid in the regulation of body systems disrupted by addiction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When incorporating a fitness routine into one&rsquo;s recovery, it can be helpful to start small and work up from there. Setting a low-pressure schedule for regular physical activity and adding to it over time can be a good way to prevent fatigue and burnout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Drinking lots of water, getting plenty of rest, and being mindful of one&rsquo;s limitations&shy;&mdash;especially when exercising in high temperatures&mdash;are also crucial to healthy fitness routines. But with a consistent and fulfilling exercise plan, recovery can be that much more manageable and rewarding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">References:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/mental-health\/addiction\/exercise-help-addiction-recovery\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/mental-health\/addiction\/exercise-help-addiction-recovery<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC4831948\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC4831948<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/englishmountain.com\/blog\/the-benefits-of-exercise-in-addiction-recovery\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/englishmountain.com\/blog\/the-benefits-of-exercise-in-addiction-recovery\/https:\/\/englishmountain.com\/blog\/the-benefits-of-exercise-in-addiction-recovery\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spectrumhealthsystems.org\/why-exercise-matters-to-addiction-recovery\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.spectrumhealthsystems.org\/why-exercise-matters-to-addiction-recovery\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns alignfull stk-block-columns stk-block stk-15ecff4 stk-block-background\" data-block-id=\"15ecff4\"><style>.stk-15ecff4 {padding-top:80px !important;padding-bottom:80px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-15ecff4-column alignwide\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-20814a2\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"20814a2\"><style>@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.stk-20814a2 {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 calc(60% - var(--stk-column-gap, 0px) * 1 \/ 2 ) !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-20814a2-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-20814a2-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-995140f\" id=\"take-control-of-your-recovery-journey\" data-block-id=\"995140f\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\">Take Control of Your Recovery Journey<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-db8b9a1\" data-block-id=\"db8b9a1\"><style>.stk-db8b9a1 {margin-bottom:40px !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">At Crossroads Recovery Centre, we offer personalised programs to help you maintain your sobriety and navigate life&rsquo;s challenges. Whether you&rsquo;re in Johannesburg or Pretoria, we&rsquo;re here to support you on your recovery journey. Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive addiction treatment services and how we can help you stay on track.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-subtitle stk-block-subtitle stk-block stk-ae1ceec\" data-block-id=\"ae1ceec\"><p class=\"stk-block-subtitle__text stk-subtitle\">Supportive Sobriety Programs in Johannesburg and Pretoria<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-eba4a76\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"eba4a76\"><style>.stk-eba4a76-inner-blocks{justify-content:center !important;}.stk-eba4a76-container{display:flex !important;}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.stk-eba4a76 {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 calc(40% - var(--stk-column-gap, 0px) * 1 \/ 2 ) !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-eba4a76-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-eba4a76-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button-group stk-block-button-group stk-block stk-e3e874a\" data-block-id=\"e3e874a\"><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks has-text-align-right has-text-align-left-mobile stk-block-content stk-button-group\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button stk-block stk-efa0bb2\" data-block-id=\"efa0bb2\"><a class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/pretoria-treatment-centre\/\"><span class=\"stk-button__inner-text\">Johannesburg<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button stk-block stk-7598383\" data-block-id=\"7598383\"><a class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/pretoria-treatment-centre\/\"><span class=\"stk-button__inner-text\">Pretoria<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQs and Answers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. Why is fitness important in addiction recovery?<\/strong><br>Fitness helps reduce stress, anxiety, and cravings while improving mood and physical strength, supporting long-term recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2. How does exercise affect the brain during recovery?<\/strong><br>Exercise releases serotonin and dopamine, chemicals that promote happiness and balance, helping to reduce the urge to use substances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3. What types of exercise are recommended for people in recovery?<\/strong><br>Gentle activities like walking, yoga, or swimming are ideal for beginners. Over time, strength training and cardio can be introduced gradually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>4. Can exercise help prevent relapse?<\/strong><br>Yes, regular exercise helps manage withdrawal symptoms, build routine, and replace triggers, which lowers the risk of relapse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>5. How does Crossroads Recovery Centre use fitness in its treatment plans?<\/strong><br>Crossroads Recovery Centre integrates personalised fitness programmes to rebuild physical health and promote emotional balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>6. Is it safe to start exercising early in recovery?<\/strong><br>Yes, but it&rsquo;s advised to start slowly under professional guidance, stay hydrated, rest well, and avoid overexertion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>7. Does exercise improve mental health during recovery?<\/strong><br>Absolutely. Exercise reduces depression, boosts self-esteem, and improves sleep quality, all crucial for emotional stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>8. Where are Crossroads Recovery Centres located?<\/strong><br>Crossroads Recovery Centre offers programmes in Johannesburg and Pretoria, providing supportive treatment for lasting sobriety.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How does Crossroads Recovery Centre incorporate fitness into recovery programs Reach out now, we can help Home \/ How does Crossroads Recovery Centre incorporate fitness into recovery programs 25 September, 2025Articles, News Fitness into Recovery Programmes at Crossroads Experts think regular&nbsp;physical activity&nbsp;can act as a healthy stand-in for addictive substances. That&rsquo;s because exercise and drugs [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":14923,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,36],"tags":[407,539,494,540],"class_list":["post-14920","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles","category-news","tag-crossroads-recovery-centre","tag-fitness-in-recovery","tag-holistic-health","tag-incorporating-fitness","entry"],"featured_image_urls_v2":{"full":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Fitness-and-recovery.jpg",8495,5663,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Fitness-and-recovery-80x80.jpg",80,80,true],"medium":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Fitness-and-recovery-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Fitness-and-recovery-768x512.jpg",640,427,true],"large":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Fitness-and-recovery-1030x687.jpg",640,427,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Fitness-and-recovery.jpg",1536,1024,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Fitness-and-recovery.jpg",2048,1365,false],"alm-thumbnail":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Fitness-and-recovery-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"post-thumbnail":["https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Fitness-and-recovery.jpg",1568,1045,false]},"post_excerpt_stackable_v2":"<p>How does Crossroads Recovery Centre incorporate fitness into recovery programsReach out now, we can helpHome \/ How does Crossroads Recovery Centre incorporate fitness into recovery programs25 September, 2025Articles, News Fitness into Recovery Programmes at Crossroads Experts think regular&nbsp;physical activity&nbsp;can act as a healthy stand-in for addictive substances. That&rsquo;s because exercise and drugs of misuse work on similar parts of&nbsp;your brain. They both activate your reward pathway, which triggers the release of feel-good chemicals like serotonin and&nbsp;dopamine. Studies show it might: Ease withdrawal.&nbsp;Regular exercise can lessen&nbsp;anxiety, depression, and&nbsp;stress. These are common symptoms you might get during recovery that can lead to&hellip;<\/p>\n","category_list_v2":"<a href=\"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/category\/news\/articles\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Articles<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a>","author_info_v2":{"name":"Sally Paulet","url":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/author\/sally\/"},"comments_num_v2":"0 comments","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14920","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14920"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14920\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14923"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14920"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14920"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ssdev.co.za\/crossroads-old\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14920"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}