Several types of Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) treatment includes physical exercise as an add-on recovery. This review summarizes research on sports and physical exercise as an adjunct to SUDs treatment with the misuse of illegal drugs. Twenty peer-reviewed papers that met the inclusion criteria for representing cross-sectional, intervention and, review studies were considered. Descriptives for each category are presented as well as synthesized findings regarding outcomes and preferences of patients with SUDs, regarding physical exercise programs. Further, the studies are discussed in terms of quality, quantity, and positive outcomes of physical activity for patients with SUDs. Finally, information regarding the design of sports and physical exercise programs is critically presented and discussed.

Keywords: physical exercise, SUDs, intervention development.

Authors:
Hassandra Mary, Assistant Professor of Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Greece.
maryhassandra@gmail.com

Panagiotounis Fotis, Department of Education, Therapy Centre for Depended Individuals (KETHEA), Greece
panagiotounisfotis@gmail.com

Theodorakis Yiannis, Professor of Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Greece
theodorakis@pe.uth.gr

Read the article here: Empowering substance use disorders treatment through physical exercise. an overview of studies