Effect of yoga practice on happiness: a comparative study among those recovering from drug dependence
Department of Yogic Sciences, Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India
Department of Physical Education Pedagogy, Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India
Department of Yoga, Manipur University, India
Alcohol Drug Addict 2025; 38 (4):
Introduction
Globally, substance abuse remains a significant public health concern. Yoga, a holistic discipline integrating physical posture, breathing control and mindfulness practice, has been recognised for its role in promoting overall well-being.
Happiness is critical component of mental health, as empirical evidence indicates that those with higher levels of happiness exhibit greater energy, resilience, creativity and concentration while experiencing lower incidences of disease compared to those with depression. This study aims to explore the potential benefits of yoga practice in enhancing happiness among those recovering from drug dependence.
Material and methods
A randomised controlled trial was conducted on 60 drug addicts in rehabilitation at a drug rehabilitation centre in Shimla,
Himachal Pradesh. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: Experimental group 1 (Asana group), Experimental group 2 (Pranayama group), Experimental group 3 (combined Asana + Pranayama group) and a Control group, each consisting of 15 participants. The programme lasted 12 weeks, with sessions of half an hour held three times per week. A one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was utilised to identify the most effective training programme for promoting happiness in the group.
Results
The estimated mean happiness value was highest in the Asana + Pranayama group (5.107), followed by Pranayama (4.941) and Asana (4.792), all with low standard errors and tight confidence intervals. The Control group had significantly lower mean of 3.391, highlighting the interventions substantial impact on increasing happiness.
Disscusion
Findings of this study align with previous research emphasising yoga’s mental and emotional benefits. The study suggests that combined Asana and Pranayama practice most effectively enhance happiness, with Pranayama alone also contributing significantly to emotional regulation and well-being. An interdisciplinary approach, integrating yoga and meditation with conventional treatment methods was also proved effective by our research.
Conclusions
This study suggests that various yoga practice affect happiness, with combined breathing practice leading to greater increases in happiness compared to single trainings or no training at all.
Keywords
Yoga, Drug Addicts, Happiness, Mental Health
