by Helen Dudley

Addiction is a growing problem in America, with the use of tobacco costing the nation approximately $295 billion a year, alcohol $224 billion and illicit drugs, $193 billion. Drugs take countless lives, causing unbearable heartache for the friends and family of those affected. Despite the high numbers of addicted persons, only a small proportion seek help. Those that do, can fall prey to relapses and discussions about addictions and disorders in modern day forums, show that more than one stay in a rehabilitation centre is often necessary for recovery. Stress is one of the biggest stumbling blocks to drug recovery. Therefore, specialists across the globe are constantly on the lookout for new ways to reduce stress during both inpatient and outpatient treatment. Some of the most popular natural therapies for stress reduction during addiction recovery include yoga, mindful meditation. Tai-Chi and other holistic exercise regimes, as well as art therapy, music therapy, and horticultural therapy and Nature experiences. What these therapies have in common, is their powerful ability to lower levels of stress hormone, cortisol. This hormone is triggered into action during the ‘fight or flight’ response. When we are faced with a tense situation, the presence of cortisol prompts us to face our stressor or, all too often, to flee, even when there is no real threat of danger. For those recovering from addiction, the temptation to take refuge from stress and tension in drugs, can be overpowering. Therefore, it is vital to keep stress levels down. Spa visits and massage in particular, also wield numerous benefits to those in recovery. Therefore, many leading rehabilitation centres are ensuring that massage is part of their clients’ road to recovery. Once patients are well enough to continue receiving treatment on an outpatient basis, they are often referred to spas specialising in relaxing water and massage treatments. Some of the many benefits of spa visits include:

* Spa treatments curb stress: Various studies have shown that treatments such as massage lower stress, improve the mood and increase vitality. One interesting study on children with mild-to-moderate juvenile arthritis, showed that when parents massaged them for just 15 minutes a day for 30 days, the children’s stress levels plummeted and they also felt less pain. This finding is interesting for those in addiction recovery, since many turn to prescription drugs as way of self-medicating against pain. Other natural ways to lower stress, anxiety and pain are yoga, guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation and mindful meditation.

* Spa massage reduces aggression: One fascinating study published in the  Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, looked at the effect of massage on stress, anxiety and aggression in young adults receiving psychiatric care in an inpatient unit. The youths received a 20-minute massage daily for seven weeks. At the end of the study period, results showed that cortisol levels had significantly dropped. Improvements were also noted in so far as aggression, anxiety and depression were concerned.

* Massage lessens symptoms of depression: Depression is another big obstacle for those in addiction recovery, since being sober forces them to face many issues they may have side-stepped through their drug use in the past. One study carried out on patients suffering from chronic fatigue, found that massage led to lesser symptoms of depression and anxiety and caused dopamine (`feel-good hormone´) levels to rise.

The ability of massage and other spa treatments like aromatherapy (with the use of lavender oil) and Oriental therapies to relieve stress, boost the mood and energise us, has made these treatments popular not only for addiction recovery, but also for a host of conditions, including breast cancer recovery (where it is used to help women overcome fatigue and anxiety), asthma and digestive disorders. The unique sensation of caring and closeness that ensues when we are cared for by a trained therapist, can provide the calm and inspiration we need to keep going even in the toughest times… and there is no doubt that overcoming addiction is a big but not impossible hurdle to overcome.

Further reading:
Recovery.org,  Addictions and Disorders, accessed May, 2015.
Drugabuse.gov,  Trends & Statistics, accessed May, 2015.
Researchgate.net,  How does stress increase risk of drug abuse and relapse?, accessed May, 2015.
LeslieKenton.com,  Exercise & Transformation, accessed May, 2015.
Mayoclinic.org,  Massage: Get in touch with its many benefits, accessed May, 2015. Besthealthmag.ca,  Six Surprising Benefits of Massage Therapy, accessed May, 2015. Usatoday.com,  More potential benefits of massage therapy, accessed May, 2015.