The effect of regular exercise on self-esteem in addiction

Abstract

Objective: Alcohol or any illicit substance addiction known to be an increasing problem in Turkey is very disturbing the mental and physical health, safety and quality of life of a person. The addiction that causes serious deterioration in many areas of patients' lives is also quite challenging. Primer treatment is done by pharmacological methods. In addition, treatment is supported by psychosocial methods. Our study, we aimed to examine the contribution of regular exercise, which is thought to be useful in the treatment of many psychiatric disorders, to effect of regular exercise on self-esteem, body sense and social adjustment. Methods: We conducted our study in two different AMATEM (Alcohol Substance Abuse Research and Treatment Center) clinics, in the Tokat and Elazig Mental Health and Diseases Hospital. During the one month period, the patients in the Tokat center were hospitalized for one hour each day: the course was started with dynamic stretching, three days with aerobics, two days with plates training and finally with static stretching. In the other clinic, only medical treatment was applied. Physical Sensation Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Social Adjustment Self-Assessment Scale were applied at the beginning and end of the illness treatment. Results: In our study, the Body Sense Scale and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Social Adjustment Self-Assessment Scale Scores decreased after treatment in both groups. With the use of medical treatment, the Body Sense Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Social Adjustment Self-Assessment Scale Scores are expected to decrease. However, in the group that included the treatment with the treatment, this decrease occurred only at a higher level than in the group treated with medication. There was a statistically more decrease in the mean score of the scale compared to the group receiving only medication in the group with regular exercise. Conclusion: Regular exercise attachment in addiction treatment may have positive effects on therapeutic response. However, in order to achieve more reliable results, it is necessary to plan and implement larger sample groups and longer working hours.