‘Yoga is a way of life’ exploring experiences of yoga as a treatment for substance use: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

IF 1.2 Q3 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL

Counselling & Psychotherapy Research Pub Date : 2024-09-01 DOI:10.1002/capr.12817

Nicole M. Miller

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Abstract

Introduction

Yoga is a form of complementary medicine for substance use disorder (SUD). Randomised controlled trials involving yoga for the treatment of SUD have found that yoga practice reduces the risk of relapse and improves mood and well-being for people undergoing treatment for SUD; however, the lived experience of yoga practice involving the benefits of reducing SUD is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the in-depth experience of yoga to inform the treatment of SUD.

Methods

Five semi-structured interviews explored experiences of yoga among people with a prior history of substance use. Four out of the five participants reported prior use of alcohol, and one reported the use of ‘GBL’ and methamphetamine. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Results

The analysis resulted in three final Superordinate themes: (1) growing awareness of the body, mind and emotions; (2) yoga opens a positive way of life; and (3) blending the worlds of yoga and 12-step recovery. Yoga was reported to enhance awareness of muscle tension, reduce physical stress, increase positive emotions and build tolerance to negative emotions. The integration of the eight-limb philosophy of yoga, notably withdrawing of the senses, helped combat internal cues and triggers (negative thoughts and emotions) for relapse. Yoga was reported to be compatible with an abstinence-based lifestyle found in 12-step mutual aid programmes and helped extend social networks to support long-term abstinence.

Conclusions

The experience of integrating the eight-limb philosophy to support abstinence and the asana practice helped participants to reduce cue reactivity. Yoga appeared to enhance interoceptive awareness, which is useful for reducing physical stress related to triggers for relapse, making yogic practice a valuable tool to integrate within mainstream group and individual relapse prevention programmes. Therefore, programmes and health policymakers may want to consider treatments that integrate yogic practices to enhance and support long-term abstinence for SUD.

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瑜伽是一种生活方式"，探索将瑜伽作为药物使用治疗方法的经验：解释现象学分析

导言：瑜伽是一种治疗药物使用障碍（SUD）的辅助药物。有关瑜伽治疗药物滥用性精神障碍的随机对照试验发现，练习瑜伽可降低复发风险，并改善接受药物滥用性精神障碍治疗者的情绪和身心健康；然而，人们对练习瑜伽对减少药物滥用性精神障碍的益处还一无所知。本研究旨在探讨瑜伽的深度体验，为治疗 SUD 提供参考。方法通过五次半结构式访谈，探究曾有药物使用史的人练习瑜伽的经历。五名参与者中有四人曾酗酒，一人曾使用过 "GBL "和甲基苯丙胺。采用解释现象学分析法对数据进行了分析。结果分析得出了三个最终的超级主题：(1) 对身体、心灵和情感的认识不断提高；(2) 瑜伽开启了一种积极的生活方式；(3) 瑜伽世界与 12 步康复法相融合。据报告，瑜伽能增强对肌肉紧张的认识、减轻身体压力、增加积极情绪和建立对消极情绪的耐受力。瑜伽八肢哲学的融合，尤其是感官的抽离，有助于消除导致复吸的内部线索和诱因（消极思想和情绪）。据报告，瑜伽与 12 步互助计划中以戒断为基础的生活方式相一致，并有助于扩展社会网络，支持长期戒断。结论将支持戒欲的八肢哲学与体式练习相结合的经验有助于参与者降低线索反应性。瑜伽似乎增强了感知间意识，这有助于减轻与复吸诱因有关的身体压力，使瑜伽练习成为一种宝贵的工具，可纳入主流的团体和个人复吸预防计划中。因此，计划和健康政策制定者可能会考虑采用结合瑜伽练习的治疗方法，以加强和支持长期戒断药物滥用。

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来源期刊

Counselling & Psychotherapy Research PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL-

CiteScore

4.40

自引率

12.50%

发文量

期刊介绍： Counselling and Psychotherapy Research is an innovative international peer-reviewed journal dedicated to linking research with practice. Pluralist in orientation, the journal recognises the value of qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods strategies of inquiry and aims to promote high-quality, ethical research that informs and develops counselling and psychotherapy practice. CPR is a journal of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, promoting reflexive research strongly linked to practice. The journal has its own website: www.cprjournal.com. The aim of this site is to further develop links between counselling and psychotherapy research and practice by offering accessible information about both the specific contents of each issue of CPR, as well as wider developments in counselling and psychotherapy research. The aims are to ensure that research remains relevant to practice, and for practice to continue to inform research development.