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Exercise as a Sex-Specific Treatment for Substance Use Disorder

  • Women and Addictions (CM Mazure and Y Zakiniaeiz, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Addiction Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Exercise is a promising treatment for substance use disorder that may reduce withdrawal symptoms and prevent relapse. In this review, we discuss recent evidence from clinical and preclinical studies for its efficacy, from a behavioral to a molecular level, in order to understand the exercise conditions that lead to beneficial effects. We also highlight the few recent findings of sex-specific differences.

Recent Findings

Clinical and preclinical findings show that exercise decreases withdrawal symptoms, including craving, in both males and females. Evidence from clinical studies support the efficacy of exercise to prevent relapse to smoking, although further research is needed to examine sex differences, establish long-term efficacy, and to determine if effects extend to other substance use disorders. Preclinical findings also support the potential utility of exercise to prevent relapse with evidence suggesting that its efficacy is enhanced in males and mediated by blocking drug-induced adaptations that occur during early abstinence.

Summary

Sex differences and timing of exercise availability during abstinence should be considered in future studies examining exercise as an intervention for relapse. A better understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the efficacy of exercise to reduce withdrawal symptoms and prevent relapse is needed to guide its development as a sex-specific treatment.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Acknowledgements

Wendy J. Lynch and Jean Abel are supported by grants (R01: DA039093 and DA024716) from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Mark A. Smith is supported by grant DA031725 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Virginia, P.O. Box 801402, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA

    Wendy J. Lynch

  2. University of Virginia, P.O. Box 801402, Charlottesville, VA, 22904-1402, USA

    Jean Abel

  3. Davidson College, Box 7136, Davidson, NC, 28035, USA

    Andrea M. Robinson & Mark A. Smith

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  1. Wendy J. Lynch
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  2. Jean Abel
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  3. Andrea M. Robinson
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  4. Mark A. Smith
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Correspondence to Wendy J. Lynch.

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Wendy J. Lynch, Jean Abel, Andrea M. Robinson, and Mark A. Smith declare they have no conflict of interest.

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Lynch, W.J., Abel, J., Robinson, A.M. et al. Exercise as a Sex-Specific Treatment for Substance Use Disorder. Curr Addict Rep 4, 467–481 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-017-0177-4

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