Effect of a Series of Yoga Exercises on the Level of Craving for Drugs, Mental Health, and Depression among Addicts during Rehabilitation Period

Background and Purpose: The purpose of using low-cost and accessible preemptive methods such as yoga exercises may enhance mental health among addicted men and prevent their affliction with mental disorders. This study was conducted to examine effect of yoga exercises on the level of craving for drugs, mental health and depression among addicts during rehabilitation period. Materials and Methods: The present study was of semi-experimental type, and the population included all clients at therapeutic society center of Mashhad city. 40 individuals among them were selected as the research sample in a targeted way; then they were divided into two groups, namely yoga exercises group (20 individuals) and control group (20 individuals). Data collection tools included Beck depression questionnaire-2, mental health questionnaire, and cravingbeliefs questionnaire. The experiment group enrolled in yoga exercise program for 3 sessions of 45 minutes every week, for 8 weeks. Data analysis was done through descriptive statistics and variance analysis in repetitive scales and correlated t. Findings: results of variance analysis in repetitive scales showed that there is a significant difference between control group and yoga group in variants of depression (P=0.046), craving for drugs (P=0.001), and mental health (P=0.001). Results also showed that there is a significant difference between pretest and posttest of yoga exercise group in variants of depression (P=0.0001), craving for drugs (P=0.0001), and mental health (P=0.0001). Conclusion: Regarding the results of this study it is concluded that yoga exercises can reduce depression and craving for drugs, and enhance mental health among addicts during their rehabilitation period because of change in brain waves, increase in blood circulation, and harmonization of the body and soul.