In 2023, Hao Li and a team from China reviewed 22 randomized trials with 1,537 people battling substance use disorder. They explored how light, moderate, and high-intensity workouts like walking, jogging, or weight lifting reduce withdrawal symptoms such as cravings, depression, anxiety, and insomnia during detox.

A systematic review and meta-analysis from the University of New South Wales (2021) examined 58 studies with 3,000 beginner participants and found that pure strength training alone led to around 1.4% total body fat loss—almost identical to what you’d see from cardio.