Addictions may present in many different forms, ranging from a chemical dependency on nicotine, alcohol or illicit drugs, to an unhealthy behavioral compulsion such as excessive gambling or sexual activity. Physical exercise is believed to be helpful in combating both chemical and behavioral addictions, via the physiological and behavioral changes brought about in a regular exercise regimen. All types of addiction should be taken seriously, and you should not attempt to self-diagnose or self-treat -- consult your doctor for medical advice before starting a new exercise schedule, or if addiction concerns you.
Marijuana Dependence
A March 2011 study by researchers at Vanderbilt University indicates that physical exercise may help decrease marijuana use and cravings in people who are regular, heavy pot smokers. This study examined four males and eight females who were defined as dependent upon or addicted to cannabis. Regular treadmill exercise was found to decrease a participant's use of cannabis -- and his craving to use the drug -- by more than 50 percent over a two-week period.
Sleep Patterns
Exercise may be beneficial in the treatment of alcohol addiction or alcohol abuse, according to a study published in the September 2010 issue of the journal "Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research." This study indicated that exercise can help combat addiction through regulation of circadian rhythms or sleeping patterns. Regular exercise was found to increase quality and quantity of sleep, reducing cravings for alcohol in individuals with alcohol abuse problems. The lead researcher on the study, J. David Glass of Kent State University, indicates that alcohol abuse commonly disrupts daily patterns of eating and sleeping. Regular exercise can restore more normal sleeping and eating patterns, thereby breaking the cycle of alcohol abuse.
Nicotine Dependence
According to MayoClinic.com, exercise can be helpful in combating withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting smoking. For many smokers, a powerful chemical addiction to nicotine makes quitting difficult. However, if you exercise regularly after quitting smoking, the severity and regularity of nicotine withdrawal symptoms can decrease. Additionally, regular exercise can help you avoid the weight gain that many smokers experience after quitting.
Addiction to Exercise
As of March 2011, evidence was growing that compulsive over-exercising can represent a form of addiction. In a 2008 literature review regarding exercise addiction, Hungarian researchers specializing in addiction studies indicated that professional recognition of exercise addiction is growing. Exercise addiction is a behavioral addiction -- like gambling or sex addiction, for example. It commonly manifests in individuals suffering from eating disorders such as bulimia or anorexia nervosa, but may also be present in individuals without an eating disorder. Excessive, compulsive exercise may have negative effects on your health and overall quality of life.
References
- Vanderbilt University; Vanderbilt Study Shows Exercise Can Curb Marijuana Use and Cravings; March 4, 2011
- Psychiatry Hungarica; Exercise Addiction: A Literature Review; Z. Demetrovics, et al.; 2008
- Medical News Today; Exercise May Be An Effective And Nonpharmacologic Treatment Option For Alcohol Dependence; J. David Glass, Ph.D. and Alan M. Rosenwasser, Ph.D.; June 22, 2010
- MayoClinic.com; Nicotine Dependence: Lifestyle and Home Remedies; Mayo Clinic Staff; Nov. 23, 2010
