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[taxwonk]

Originally posted by nononono
A lot of addicts are high-intensity people, needing greater-than-average physical and other stimulation. I would guess that the running meets at least some of these needs, allowing an opportunity to channel excess energy, focus on a goal that is incompatible with substance abuse, experience the psychological reward of having done something demanding, reorienting the mind to taking care of the body and experiencing how that feels, having a sufficiently intense experience to want to avoid doing other things and to focus on this (both the physical exertion itself and the natural chemical release), and just something both to fill time and to care about instead. Someone in recovery from addiction deals with it as a lifelong proposition, so having proper outlets is key.

Addictive personalities tend not to change. That's why AA and NA meetings are always characterized as being fueled by coffee and cigarettes. An addiction to running is certainly better than a two pack a day habit.