http://www.telegraph.co.uk/…-running-addict.html
“Confessions of a running addict” – As scientists report that excessive exercise could be as addictive as heroin, a running addict speaks out.
65 views and not a response…hmmm. I wonder if this hits too close to home.
IMHO, there are alot of parallels between exercise, particularly endurance training and other types of compulsive behavior like gambling, sex, eating, drug use, etc. In fact, exercise is usually including on the list of common compulsions.
The question really is whether the behavior in question negatively impacts other areas of the person’s life. I’m sure we can all speak to examples of where exercise or triathlon training has come at the expense of work, family or something else.
… I’m sure we can all speak to examples of where exercise or triathlon training has come at the expense of work, family or something else.
does posting here on company time count?
I was asked recently by a licensed therapist type whether I was addicted to exercise.
I suppose it is possible, but having lived in close proximity to substance addiction…I don’t think so. I don’t think it is even remotely the same…at least for me. But I am not an addictive personality. The mileage might vary for someone with an addictive personality. I have seen substance abusers who have gotten clean and now live a life some might say is ruled by exercise.
I doubt it for most of us…despite the long hours we devote to the sport. I put in 40-60 hours a week at work too…I don’t see anyone accusing me of being addicted to work.
Wow, that article really struck a chord, I’m done with running, biking, swimming, all of it. Tomorrow I start shooting heroin.
Probably not far from the truth. My wife know better now. If I miss my workout then I get antsy and often she says, “just go ride and get it out of your system.”
Nonetheless, a better addiction than cocaine, TV, or porn.
I don’t know anything about the addiction part, but I did get to see Running the Sahara last winter when it was shown in Greensboro NC. That was pretty epic! The movie was good, but didn’t make me want to go replicate the event any time soon. Did that ever come out on DVD?
Since I have never experienced “trembling, writhing and teeth chattering” described in the artivcle, then no, I must not be an addict.
I **have, **however, gotten fat when I didn’t exercise.
This isn’t news to me and I’m surprised it took “researchers” to reveal this. I hope the UK taxpayers didn’t have to pay too much for it.
I was a 2 1/2 pack per day smoker and an alcoholic before I got into cycling in the mid-90s. I thank God that I became addicted to cycling on the very first club ride a church friend invited me on. I’d tried quitting the cigarettes and the alcohol many times before. Until I had an interest in becoming a better cyclist and saw those things as obstacles, I was never successful. My wife and I have called it my “replacement addiction” since the day it grabbed me.
Cycling has almost killed me a few times, but I’m quite confident that, had I stayed on the path I was on before I acquired that addiction, I’d have been dead years ago.
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I’ve discussed this several times with a triathlete friend who is a substance-abuse counselor. He thinks exercise can be an addiction, but if it is, I think it is a mild addiction that can’t be compared to heroin. What are the negative societal impacts of excessive exercise? There are some, but they are minor compared to the negative societal impacts of addictions to drugs, alcohol, food, sex or gambling.
I definitely think exercise can be a compulsion with negative impacts on health and relationships, but so can work and any avocation.
I choose my addictions carefully.
If Ironman is my addiction, and I have been to Hawaii for it, then so be it. If I have to spend my money on bikes instead of drugs, abortions, porn and rehab… so be it.
Just be glad you arent addicted to formula 1. close on 100% of those guys never get to be close to the real thing in their addiction. We can all swim, bike and run today.