Effects of adjuvant yoga therapy on craving and perceived stress in alcohol dependence syndrome: A randomized control study

Abstract

Alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS) is a global health concern that causes a significant disease burden, with harmful alcohol use responsible for 2.5 million deaths annually. Stress is a known trigger for alcohol relapse, and effective management of stress can improve treatment outcomes in individuals with ADS. This randomized control study evaluated the effects of adjuvant yoga therapy on craving and perceived stress in 80 individuals with ADS undergoing deaddiction treatment. The yoga group received yoga therapy three times a week for 2 months in addition to medical management, while the control group received standard medical treatment. The Alcohol Craving Questionnaire and Perceived Stress Scale were administered before and after the study period. The yoga group had significantly lower levels of alcohol craving (P < 0.001) and perceived stress (P < 0.001) as compared to the control group. Changes in those receiving additional yoga were more pronounced, and the intergroup differences were highly significant. Yoga induces a sense of self-discipline and relaxation, which may have contributed to these positive changes. Yoga therapy may be a valuable adjunct to deaddiction therapy for individuals with ADS, offering a cost-effective and safe nonpharmacological modality to reduce craving and perceived stress. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of yoga therapy on alcohol craving and stress in individuals with ADS.