Addiction fundamentally changes how a person behaves and thinks. Priority changes and self-care can sometimes be neglected in some ways. Recovery not only focuses on helping a person rid themselves of the mind and mood-altering substances but
also prioritises helping a person obtain a sense of normal functioning.
Addiction can be largely fueled by mental and emotional experiences. Self-medication is common and substances are often used as a means of escape from the stresses of daily life. Without the ability to use drugs and alcohol, a person in treatment must learn new, healthy ways to cope with the inevitable difficulties they will eventually face. Yoga and meditation provide an avenue for releasing tension and stress while strengthening the mind and body. The benefits of yoga and meditation improve recovery outcomes and help establish behaviours that support sobriety throughout life.
Yoga
There are countless benefits that yoga can have on a person. Even a beginner can benefit from things like breathing exercises, movement sequences and postures designed to stretch and strengthen the body.
Some benefits of yoga that people might have are: 
- Increased flexibility
- Improved strength
- Muscle toning
- Weight loss
- Increased energy levels
- Improved respiration and circulatory health
- Strengthened athletic ability
For people who experience back pain or any chronic disease, yoga can help in relieving the pain. It is also known to reduce blood pressure. Many of us might experience stress or anxiety; yoga can help. Sometimes, or maybe every time, yoga might be paired up with meditation because it helps to relax the mind and encourages people to dive deep into their thoughts.
Through focused breathing patterns and concentration, the body would improve its awareness helping people around the world to be more aware of their physical and mental needs.
Meditation
Meditation has numerous benefits that help many overcome stressors and triggers that can cause relapse. Some of these benefits include:
- Reduced stress levels
- Less anxiety
- Increased self-awareness
- Improved attention span
- Improved quality of sleep
- Reduced pain
- Decreased blood pressure
Specifically in addiction recovery, meditation can improve control over impulses and thoughts that trigger addictive behaviours. Meditation can help strengthen willpower, control compulsions and allow people to have a better understanding of their thoughts and emotions that can drive addiction. Because meditation requires a person to redirect their thoughts, many find that they are able to reduce the impulses that drive dependencies and habits.
While yoga and meditation alone will not stop addiction, they can provide many with the tools needed to strengthen their experiences in recovery. Many people find early in recovery that they have much more time on their hands. Cutting off relationships with substance-abusing peers and no longer having substance abuse as a means of occupying their time, can leave many people experiencing boredom, anxiety, and other emotions that can trigger relapse. The development of healthy interests and activities can help pass the time and motivate those in treatment.
Yoga and meditation promote physical and mental health in a way that improves recovery outcomes. Not only does it help restore a person’s connection with their inner self, but it also helps them restore relationships with others. Improved mental and physical functioning can help provide the clarity of mind needed to focus on the most important aspects of recovery. It can also help restore a sense of identity that enables a person to move forward in developing a life not dependent on the use of substances to feel normal. Best of all, it can be practised anywhere and at any time, alone or in groups, allowing a person to make time to self-reflect and become part of a supportive community.
