Yoga: A Holistic Approach to Addiction Treatment and Recovery

Abstract

Yoga is increasingly becoming a strategy for wellness in the United States. A 2016 survey found that nearly 37 million Americans practice yoga and an additional 12 million say they intend to try it in the coming year. Yoga is also being studied as an intervention for a number of physical and behavioral health disorders. This short report examines yoga’s utility as a treatment or adjunctive tool for addiction recovery. Because addiction is characterized as a biopsychosocial-spiritual disorder and yoga is a holistic practice focusing on the integration of body, mind, and spirit, It is logical to test yoga's efficacy on the treatment and recovery of addiction. Yoga’s positive effect on craving and negative mood states make it a promising modality for addiction recovery.