Racing For Recovery

Racing For Recovery is the growing idea that drug addiction and alcoholism can be cured by focusing one’s energies towards something positive.

Eddie Freas tell CNN that "I feel better when I'm working out,It does wonders for the mind. The reason I started running -- it was a switch that went off in my head. I started feeling positive and feeling great about myself."

It is true that dopamine levels can be increased by strenuous physical activity, but is simply ‘getting your fix’ in a healthy way actually healthy for you in the long run?

Freas admits to trying Alcoholics Anonymous and rehab but says the institutions did nothing to cure his drug addiction – perhaps that is because of AA’s non-belief in the ability of a true addict to get cured; they look at it as a disease that, like cancer, can only go into remission.

In any case, Freas is sober today and has gotten there by doing something he loves – that much is commendable. Whether or not this strategy will better his quality of life or keep him sober over time has yet to be seen.

The trick apparently isn’t just to exercise, but to find something –anything, that will help focus your addictive personality towards something positive.

Related: HOW TO GET FIT - WHERE TO START?