The Effects of Sensory-Enhanced Yoga® on Reducing Trauma Symptoms in Individuals with Substance Use Disorder

Abstract

Substance use disorder has a major functional impact on an individual’s well-being. Addiction becomes a major role, and everyday routines focus on seeking and using drugs. Substance use disorder has been seen to have a relationship with trauma. Trauma and substance use disorder overlap because commonly trauma survivors seek out psychoactive substances as a way to self-medicate due to traumatic distress and those who heavily use substances are more easily victimized. Both of these conditions have a functional impact on an individual’s life skills. The goal of occupational therapy practitioners is to help clients identify and implement healthy habits, rituals, and routines to support a wellness lifestyle by addressing barriers and building on existing abilities. Yoga has been accepted by the occupational therapy profession as an evidence-based treatment modality that can be included in the therapeutic process as a preparatory or purposeful activity. Sensory strategies have been part of occupational therapy for decades. By incorporating sensory strategies in interventions occupational therapy practitioners have been able to help individuals with trauma manage self-regulation difficulties, which can interfere with participation in daily activities and meaningful roles and routines. The focus of this research is to identify if utilizing Sensory Enhanced Yoga can be an effective coping strategy for reducing trauma symptoms and improving self-perceived competency in roles and routine of those in recovery from substance use disorder.