A Progressive Addiction Recovery Approach

Abstract Addiction is a complex chronic disease that plagues our society today. Understanding addiction requires a deep understanding of the relationship between the brain, mind, body, soul and others; in turn, its solution requires the same. Current research has made much progress and replaced the previous biomedical model for health and well-being with a biopsychosocial model. This same multi-dimensional approach is beginning to be applied to addiction recovery; however, there is much opportunity for progressive treatments to incorporate new components into current intervention models. Although there have been some studies to research the effects of the psychological component to recovery, other studies to research the effects of physical activity on recovery, those that research the effects of social support, and still others to study the effects of nutrition on recovery, there are little to none that have incorporated them in one treatment plan for the study of its efficaciousness. Psychology, physical activity, nutrition and social support systems are topics of review in this paper for the purpose and support of developing progressive approaches to addiction recovery. The research is promising for combining these four components in order to enhance the current social models that have already shown some success. Keywords: biopsychosocial, holistic, addiction, recovery, substance use, psychology, physical activity, exercise, nutrition, health, well-being, social support system