Cold Water Therapy for ADHD & Addiction Recovery

A Natural Reset for the Mind and Body

At the Grange Addiction Centre in Cape Town, cold water therapy has become a powerful, science-backed tool in treating individuals with ADHD, autism, and addiction. Reinier Naude, a psychologist with a background in sport science and professional swimming, integrates cold immersion techniques with traditional therapy to offer clients a natural and effective way to regulate their emotions, reduce stress, and enhance mental clarity.

What Is Cold Water Therapy?

Cold water therapy, also known as cold water immersion (CWI) or ice bathing, involves exposing the body to cold temperatures—typically by plunging into cold water. This sudden exposure activates the body’s stress response, triggers key neurochemical changes, and trains the nervous system to adapt more efficiently to stress.

Why Cold Water Therapy Works for ADHD and Addiction

ADHD is linked to dopamine deficiency—a neurotransmitter responsible for pleasure, motivation, and focus. This deficiency often leads individuals to seek external stimulation, including addictive substances, in an attempt to self-regulate. Cold water immersion naturally boosts dopamine levels—Czech research suggests up to a 250% increase—making it a powerful, drug-free intervention.

For individuals in addiction recovery, cold water therapy offers an immediate and intense sensory experience that can override cravings, reduce emotional distress, and promote mindfulness. The act of plunging into cold water forces the mind into the present moment, breaking habitual thought patterns and compulsions.

Cold Water Therapy and the Autonomic Nervous System

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) governs our body’s unconscious responses and has two key states:

• Sympathetic (Fight or Flight): Alertness and arousal
• Parasympathetic (Rest and Digest): Calm and recovery

People with ADHD often linger in the parasympathetic state, leading to low motivation, inattentiveness, and difficulty initiating tasks. Cold immersion jolts the system into the sympathetic state, increasing alertness and mental focus. When paired with breathwork, clients can train their nervous system to fluidly transition between stress and calm—building long-term emotional resilience.

Hormonal and Cognitive Benefits

The benefits of cold water immersion go far beyond temporary discomfort:

• Norepinephrine Boost: Up to 530% increase, enhancing focus and energy
• Endorphin Release: Natural mood elevators reduce anxiety and depression
• Cortisol Reduction: Helps manage chronic stress
• Improved Sleep: Better regulation of sleep patterns and quality
• Inflammation Reduction: Supports brain health and emotional balance
• Enhanced Cognitive Function: Improves attention span, clarity, and memory

Mindfulness and Craving Disruption

One of the most transformative aspects of cold therapy is its ability to interrupt addictive patterns. During immersion, survival instincts take over. The focus narrows to breathing and enduring the cold—pulling attention away from cravings, anxiety, or compulsive behaviors. This deep, embodied mindfulness creates a natural “reset” that many clients describe as the highlight of their therapy.

Safe and Structured Cold Exposure

At the Grange Centre, cold water therapy is conducted under expert supervision. Breathwork techniques are integrated to help clients regulate their response to the cold, gradually training the nervous system for resilience. The goal isn’t endurance, but comfort within discomfort—a threshold that signifies nervous system adaptation.

Tailored for ADHD, Autism, and Addiction Recovery

Cold immersion therapy is particularly effective for clients with ADHD and autism, who often face challenges with sensory regulation and emotional overload. It provides:

• Emotional regulation after intense therapy sessions
• A physical and mental “reset”
• Improved focus and lowered impulsivity
• Greater body awareness and control

Final Thoughts: More Than a Therapy—It’s Training for Life

Cold water therapy, especially when combined with controlled breathwork, is more than a treatment—it’s a nervous system training method. It empowers clients to take an active role in their healing, develop stress resilience, and reconnect with their own capacity for change.

At the Grange Addiction Centre, we regularly use these techniques with clients—especially those navigating ADHD, autism, or addiction recovery—with overwhelmingly positive results.