Exercise as an Adjunctive Treatment for Substance Use Recovery

Abstract

Historically, the access and maintenance of treatment for addiction and/or substance use disorders is subpar at best.  This is, in part, due to the stigma that addiction is a moral failing as opposed to a disease.  Due to misunderstandings of the nature of addiction, treatment has been siloed from both medical and mental healthcare (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], this has resulted in several challenges, including access (e.g., identifying clients in need and getting them the appropriate level of care), maintenance of treatment, relapse prevention, and wrap-around care. The state of addiction treatment in the United States is lacking.