weight lifting during withdrawals?

[ronny3]

Hello docter, well im am at the very end of day 4 if my sobriety from opiates.  I actually did some cardio earlier and i felt great from it, those endorphins really help.  Well my question is do you think i can start with weight training, if i do a light session?  I am a personal trainer, but i stopped working out afew months ago because of my addiction and want to get back into as soon as possible, even if its really light.  After feeling how cardio made me feel i want to see if i can do this too as long as its in moderation.

Im still having withdrawals and its still pretty strong, do you think its safe to do?

thank you so much, Ron

[J T Junig, MD PhD]

Good advice from flmagi!  Exercise feels impossible to most people during opiate withdrawal, but if you can do it, it will certainly help you get your energy back more quickly.

As for safety, I assume we are talking about withdrawing from opiates here-- and in that case I would say that yes, go ahead with your weight training.  I would be concerned only by the fact that you have been away from it for awhile-- as I'm sure you know, there is risk of injury if you start back too aggressively... so take it slow, as you would any return to weights after a prolonged absence.  

I would be more concerned about exercising during withdrawal from benzodiazepines or alcohol, as seizures are a concern during those withdrawals.  I could see where vigorous exercise could lower the seizure threshold a bit through the release of excitatory substances into the bloodstream that occurs with vigorous exercise.

Good luck with your sobriety!

[SmartYetStupid]

That's it.  I'm going to take my dog to the local park and walk all the trails (about five miles).  My dog will love me again and I will feel better.  

Thanks!!!!  

[flmagi]

Ronny, I'm not the doctor (I think you know that, lol), But I just wanted to tell you, I've been on the addiction forum for over a year and any of the people that started exercising early (or at all), Felt better, much sooner than the rest. Seems the more exercise the quicker you will get all those brain and body functions back in order. Others just find it to difficult to even move.
Congrats to you! You're gonna be one of the feeling good faster people.
And Big Congrats on 4 days! Keep it up.