Yoga & Addiction: Practice as a Complementary Therapy

for Reducing Anxiety and Cravings in the Acute Inpatient SettingKristen Frick, BSW; Lori Harris, BSN, RN-BC; Jennifer Barut PhD(c), RN-BC

BACKGROUND RESULTS

METHODS

BARRIERS/LIMITATIONS

REFERENCES

References available upon request.

• As the sole investigator, my ability to adequately expose participants to Yoga during their stay

is limited due to:

• Short length of patient stay (approximately 5-7 days)

• Acute illness/fatigue that often accompanies the first few days of detox

• My availability/schedule

• The sensory room, a quiet, private and comfortable space, was the original site in mind to

practice Yoga. However due it its frequent use by patients on all units of the hospital, its

availability was unpredictable and inconsistent.

• The change of location to the gym combined with the need to accommodate unit schedules

and required safe staffing leg Yoga to be offered in the evening in addition to (rather than

instead of) standard fitness.

• These changes have lengthened the estimated data collection period and increased the

minimum required number of participants.

“That was really cool. Very relaxing. I could fall asleep!”

“I have had lower back pain for years, I don’t feel it at all right now. I think

this could really help me…”

“That breathing really does work to calm you down. I’ve never felt like that

before, it’s almost like a high.”

“This was helpful, thank you. I truly wish you could have been around more

to do this during my time here.”

• The practice of Yoga, which involves breathing techniques, physical postures and mindful

attention to one’s mental/emotional state, has many proven benefits including:

• Reduced stress, anxiety and depression

• Reduced cravings

• Relief from chronic pain

• Improved sleep patterns

• Enhanced overall feelings of happiness and well-being

• Improved impulse control

• Perceived feelings of community and belonging

• Because of these benefits, and increasing focus on a holistic “mind-body” approach to

recovery from addiction, Yoga is widely supported by existing literature as an effective and

sustainable complimentary therapy for recovering substance dependent patients.

• As a result of the numerous unpredictable variables involved such as personal history,

demographics and individual biases toward Yoga, it has been difficult to determine thus far

why exactly it is effective in recovery from substance abuse.

PURPOSE

This study aims to further isolate Yoga as a recovery tool and answer

the question: Does a Yoga practice, when compared to other forms of

fitness, more significantly reduce levels of cravings and anxiety in

dual-diagnosis patients undergoing detox in an acute inpatient

setting?

• At Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital (VPH) on the Dual-Diagnosis unit an hour of “fitness time”

already exists as part of the patient’s daily schedule.

• For the duration of the study, participating patients will have three options in terms of fitness:

go to the gym, opt out and stay on the unit or participate in a Yoga practice. They may

choose freely how they engage in fitness each day, independent of what they had chosen

previously. Their daily activity is tracked both by the primary investigator and electronically

as part of their medical record.

• Criteria for eligibility to participate in this study are only that a patient be admitted for detox

on the Dual Diagnosis unit at VPH.

• Once a patient consents to participate, they will be asked to fill out two pre-surveys within 24

hours of their admission that assess their level of cravings and anxiety over the past week.

Patients will then complete the same surveys on the day of this discharge for comparison

and evaluation in conjunction with their fitness choices.

1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD -7) Scale: This 7 question survey was slightly

modified to fit the week long average length of patient stay. It is self-administered

and used as a screening tool to measure for severity of anxiety.

2. PENN Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS): This 5 item survey was also slightly

modified to include cravings for substances other than alcohol. It is self-

administered and used to assess frequency, intensity and duration of craving and

one’s ability to resist drinking/using.

• Data collection is currently in progress, but verbal and written feedback from patients thus far

has been positive.

• Some participating patients have had experience with Yoga, but for most this is their first

opportunity to try it. Participants from both backgrounds have thus far approached it with

curiosity and open-mindedness.

• Participants of a wide range of ages, health issues and abilities have shown up to practice Yoga

together and were able to do so successfully by using slight adjustments and modifications.

• During the practice, both seasoned and brand new “Yogis” have been able to create and

maintain an atmosphere of respect, serenity and deep focus. From the perspective of a Yoga

teacher this is very impressive as the ability to sit quietly and draw one’s attention inward is

generally quite challenging for most people.

• Along with instruction of breath and physical poses, patient’s are reminded to remain “tuned-

into” or aware of their thoughts and emotions throughout the experience without making them

right or wrong, good or bad.

• Participants are also encouraged to reflect on some core principals of Yogic philosophy such as

self-worth, acceptance and love. Interestingly, many Yogic principals can be found within the

framework of Alcoholics Anonymous and other related organizations.