Running is a substance-free pleasure that supports addiction recovery

ottawa: (the conversation) addiction affects about one in five canadians in their lifetime. opioid addiction has driven overdose crises, raising urgent questions about treatment. traditional approaches often fall short; some provinces even consider forced treatment.exercise, particularly running, offers an alternative. it's a substance-free pleasure that can boost mood, reduce cravings, and protect against relapse. running groups for people in recovery exist, but research has focused mostly on clinical settings, leaving gaps about real-life experiences.to explore this, we ran alongside 11 people who had lived with addiction and used running in recovery. participants, aged mid-30s to mid-50s, had been in recovery for at least three years, most from alcohol addiction.key findings:gradual shift: lives centred on substances were slowly reorganised around running. initially motivated by weight loss, participants sometimes used substances while training. over time, running goals took priority, improving sleep, nutrition, and reducing substance use.community: running eased loneliness and stigma. group runs fostered friendships without addiction-related judgment, offering belonging and purpose.body connection: many recalled childhood sports joy and rediscovered it through running, shifting focus from substances to movement.recovery often began with the body. running gave participants structure, community, and hope—a finish line they could strive toward.