Over the years I have met a handful of Jiu Jisu practitioners who praised the benefits of Jiu Jitsu in aiding in their recovery efforts or curbing bad habits from everything from alcohol to cigarettes and even hard drugs. I for one, know that once I started training Jiu Jitsu regularly, I no longer had the time or desire for some of my old habits which included frequenting bars and drinking beer multiple nights per week. Those habits did not seem to be conducive to me performing well on the mats and the more I fell in love with training, the more I preferred to be on the mats sweating on any given night than in a bar drinking. That’s why it’s no surprise to me that Jiu Jitsu can definitely aid in helping kick a substance addiction.
Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences. Substance use disorder can wreak havoc on an individual’s physical health, mental wellbeing, relationships, and overall quality of life. The road to recovery from addiction can be daunting and fraught with obstacles. However, the discipline of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), with its unique combination of physical, cognitive, and social components, can offer valuable support in this journey.
Understanding Addiction
To understand how Jiu Jitsu can help in addiction recovery, we first need to delve into the nature of addiction. Addiction is much more than a lack of willpower; it is a disease that affects both the brain and behavior. Long-term substance use can lead to changes in the brain’s structure and function, particularly in areas related to reward, stress, decision-making, and memory.
The Jiu Jitsu Way
Jiu Jitsu is not just a martial art; it’s a physical workout, a strategy game, a form of mindfulness, and a social activity, all rolled into one. Here’s how this multifaceted discipline can aid in the recovery process:
1. Reclaiming the Body
Substance abuse often leads to neglect of physical health. The regular physical exertion in Jiu Jitsu not only improves physical fitness but also cultivates a sense of respect for the body. It helps individuals understand their body’s capabilities and limitations, promoting a healthier relationship with their physical selves.
2. Natural Highs
Physical exercise, like that involved in Jiu Jitsu, stimulates the release of endorphins – neurotransmitters that produce feelings of pain relief and euphoria. This natural ‘high’ can serve as a healthy replacement for the artificial and harmful ‘high’ derived from substance use.
3. Mindfulness on the Mats
Jiu Jitsu requires complete mental engagement. Whether it’s a drilling session or a roll, practitioners need to stay present, focused on their movements and their opponents’. This is mindfulness in action, providing a temporary reprieve from cravings or ruminations about substance use.
4. Building Resilience
Recovery from addiction is a journey filled with setbacks and challenges. Resilience, the ability to bounce back from adversity, is therefore a vital skill in this journey. In Jiu Jitsu, every sparring session, every tap, is a lesson in resilience. Each time a practitioner gets back up after a defeat, they’re building their capacity to handle setbacks – a skill that’s invaluable in recovery.
5. A Sense of Achievement
Mastering a new technique, progressing in belt ranks, or just managing to stay on the mat for a minute longer than before – Jiu Jitsu is filled with measurable achievements. These successes can boost self-esteem and self-efficacy, countering the feelings of worthlessness and helplessness often associated with addiction.
6. The Power of Community
A strong support network is critical in the recovery process. The Jiu Jitsu community, with its ethos of respect and mutual aid, provides this much-needed support. The camaraderie on the mats can help combat the isolation that often accompanies addiction.
Jiu Jitsu: An Adjunct to Traditional Therapy
As a Jiu Jitsu practitioner and someone who has worked as an addiction’s counselor, I know that while the benefits of Jiu Jitsu in addiction recovery are compelling, it’s important to know that it’s not a standalone treatment. It should be seen as a complementary tool, used in conjunction with traditional treatment such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, Motivational Interviewing, medication, and support groups.
As you can see, the discipline of Jiu Jitsu offers more than just physical strength and self-defense skills. It provides a holistic approach to well-being that can support the journey from addiction to recovery. It’s a path that challenges and rewards in equal measure, fostering physical health, mental resilience, and social connection.
In the fight against addiction, every tool matters. And for many, Jiu Jitsu could be a powerful tool – a discipline that not only helps them combat addiction but also equips them with skills and principles that enrich their lives. As Helio Gracie, one of the founders of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, said, “Jiu Jitsu is personal efficiency to protect the weaker, which anyone can do. It is the force of leverage against brute force.” Perhaps, in the context of addiction recovery, it’s the leverage of discipline, resilience, and community against the brute force of addiction.
Grappling with Jiu-Jitsu 