It is common knowledge that the Shilpa Shetty-esque curves can well be yours with a professionally guided workout. And those Salman Khan biceps are not that hard to pump up. But did you know one could conquer a cocaine addiction with a good dose of exercise?
A recent study by the Chief of National Institute on Drug Abuse in Australia, Dr Nora Volkow, found that 40 per cent of his sample size battled and overcame marijuana addiction with the help of exercise. Exercise is known to battle alcoholism, nicotine addiction and even help junk-food addicts combat their cravings. An increasing number of youngsters with addiction problems and those trying to give up smoking, drinking and something as harmless as tea and coffee, are hitting gyms in a bid to return to a healthy lifestyle. Checking into the gym is becoming synonymous with checking into rehab to combat an addiction.
Wellness expert Mickey Mehta says, “Exercise can turn the tables around on a bad and unhealthy lifestyle. I have helped chronic drug addicts and suicidal youngsters return to a normal life with the help of exercise.”
If this puzzles you, think again. Exercise takes one’s mind away from things we crave, and the goodness that is felt, spurs one on to well-being as a way of life. Actor Aamir Khan’s trainer, and fitness expert, Satyajit Chaurasia says, “A consciousness is developed when you exercise. One can feel and see the results. You start to understand that your addiction is holding you back from achieving that level of supreme fitness. As a result, a sincere attempt is made to discard all that holds you back and hit the treadmill with a vengeance.”
Hemal Shah, a martial arts trainer who has trained actor Akshay Kumar, says, “Exercise flushes out the toxins that make one lethargic, depressed or disinterested. When such a person exercises, not only are these harmful toxins expelled, but hormones like endocrine and adrenaline are also released. These hormones boost an addict’s confidence and gives him that ‘feel good factor’. Consequently, the dependency on an external source for happiness decreases. “The addict is liberated of his need to consume drugs, when he or she starts to feel good about themselves with exercise,” quips Mickey Mehta.
Akhil Kumar (name changed on request) was battling alcoholism at the age of 24. “My sleeping patterns were out of sync and I would eventually consume more alcohol to fall asleep. I was looking for a way out and when my counsellor suggested exercise as an option, I jumped at the idea.” Today, two years on, Akhil leads a normal life and is married and happy.
Mickey Mehta, who advises aahar (food), vihar (exercise) and vishram (rest), coupled with meditation and breathing for a healthy life, says about exercise as a method to combat addictions, “Exercise for de-addiction is a lifestyle choice and the results are long-term. You are saturated with wellness and a need to return to bad habits never arises.”