Exercise: Addressing Stress in Relapse Prevention for Substance Use Disorders
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Psychiatric |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Psychiatry / Psychology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - Any |
| Updated: | 4/6/2019 |
| Start Date: | April 2013 |
| End Date: | March 2019 |
Relapse contributes significantly to the chronicity of substance use disorders, one of the
most costly medical/mental health problems facing our nation. The incorporation of exercise
into relapse prevention efforts will address stress, a critical factor in relapse, provide
other health benefits, and improve overall quality of life. Combined, these changes will
reduce the risk of relapse to substance use while also lessening the burden of this
psychiatric disorder upon society
most costly medical/mental health problems facing our nation. The incorporation of exercise
into relapse prevention efforts will address stress, a critical factor in relapse, provide
other health benefits, and improve overall quality of life. Combined, these changes will
reduce the risk of relapse to substance use while also lessening the burden of this
psychiatric disorder upon society
About half of all individuals who receive treatment for substance use disorders (SUD) relapse
within a year. Stress and an individual's biological response to it are significant
predictors of relapse. Thus, interventions that decrease stress and normalize an individual's
biological response to stress are desperately needed. Exercise decreases stress and improves
the body's regulation of stress. The proposed project will utilize exercise as a novel
relapse prevention intervention with individuals who have recently completed inpatient SUD
treatment. This project will evaluate the efficacy of a motivational intervention for
exercise in a randomized clinical trial of 150 SUD patients beginning Aftercare treatment at
the VA St. Louis Health Care System. Participants will be randomized to one of two
interventions: (1) standard care (SC), or (2) standard care plus a motivational intervention
targeting exercise that lasts for six months. Participants are followed every three months
for one year. Results from this study will advance exercise as a new strategy for enhancing
stress regulation and prevention of relapse in SUD populations.
within a year. Stress and an individual's biological response to it are significant
predictors of relapse. Thus, interventions that decrease stress and normalize an individual's
biological response to stress are desperately needed. Exercise decreases stress and improves
the body's regulation of stress. The proposed project will utilize exercise as a novel
relapse prevention intervention with individuals who have recently completed inpatient SUD
treatment. This project will evaluate the efficacy of a motivational intervention for
exercise in a randomized clinical trial of 150 SUD patients beginning Aftercare treatment at
the VA St. Louis Health Care System. Participants will be randomized to one of two
interventions: (1) standard care (SC), or (2) standard care plus a motivational intervention
targeting exercise that lasts for six months. Participants are followed every three months
for one year. Results from this study will advance exercise as a new strategy for enhancing
stress regulation and prevention of relapse in SUD populations.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Undergoing residential substance use disorders treatment at VA St. Louis Healthcare
System
- Age 18 or older
- English speaking;
- Substance dependence
- Recent substance use
- Does not have high blood pressure
- Documented physician clearance to undergo exercise testing & exercise
- Plans to begin Aftercare at the clinic within the next two weeks
Exclusion Criteria:
- Severely disruptive behavior
- Serious uncontrolled psychiatric disorder
- Medical history in the past 6 months that contraindicates exercise
- Pregnancy, plans to get pregnant in the next six months.
- Currently breastfeeding
- Obese - class II
- Currently taking corticosteroids or hormonal contraceptives
- In recovery for pathological gambling
- Opiate dependence.
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