BACKGROUND: Most individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) do not seek treatment. Stigma and the desire to self-manage the problem are likely explanations. Exercise is an emerging treatment option but studies in non-treatment seeking individuals are lacking. We compared the effects of aerobic exercise, yoga, and treatment as usual (phone-based support) on alcohol consumption in non-treatment seeking adults with AUD.

METHODS: Three-group parallel, single blind, randomized controlled trial. 140 physically inactive adults aged 18-75 diagnosed with AUD were included in this community-based trial. Participants were randomized to either aerobic exercise (n = 49), yoga (n = 46) or treatment as usual (n = 45) for 12-weeks. The primary study outcome was weekly alcohol consumption at week 13 (Timeline Follow-back).

RESULTS: A significant decrease in weekly alcohol consumption was seen in all three groups: aerobic exercise, yoga group and TAU. The between group changes were not statistically significant at follow-up. Per-protocol analyzes showed that the mean number of drinks per week reduced more in both TAU and yoga compared to aerobic exercise.

CONCLUSIONS: Participation in a 12-week stand-alone exercise program was associated with clinically meaningful reductions in alcohol consumption comparable to usual care (phone counseling) by an alcohol treatment specialist.