Dear Heather,
My son has struggled with drug use over the last two years and while we have tried to get him into rehabilitation programs before and more to help him to quit, we’ve not been successful. Recently after running away and getting hooked again, he came home and said that he’s done with drugs for good. He’s been exercising regularly, running four and five miles a day.
At first, I wasn’t sure if he really was doing it and I hate to admit it, but I’ve followed him and so has his father on many occasions and he’s doing it – he’s exercising and running and though we are trying to get him into a counseling program of some kind, he’s insisting that running is his treatment program and that’s why he is doing it.
I’m terrified of expressing too much disbelief or letting my own lack of faith dissuade his progress. He’s been clean for 12 weeks now, but we’re basing that only on what he is saying and we have no evidence to the contrary – he’s even gotten into the habit of calling us when he is out and checking in two and three times in an evening – I know he’s trying to reassure himself as much as us – you may not be the right person to ask this to, but as parents, we’re worried and we want to make sure he’s getting all the right help – is exercise a good therapy for his drug addiction? Should we keep pushing for more?
– Just a Mom in Albany
Dear Just a Mom,
I kept your letter for a few weeks during our break because this is a really big question and I wanted to give it the best answer I could. I did some research into the answer and while I can’t give you a definitive yes or no, I think I may be able to give you some confidence.
First and foremost, if your son isn’t doing drugs right now that’s always a positive step forward. You don’t want to stop encouraging him – either in his exercise activities or in seeking more help when he is ready for it. Most counseling programs are not going to benefit him unless he wants the benefits himself. It’s important to recognize that while you are mom and you are a strong support for him, you might consider getting into an Al-Anon Program for yourself and your husband, families of drug users and former drug users can use support to.
Now, that being said, according to a local pediatrician here, there are some medical studies that support exercise as part of an overall treatment for addiction. People who exercise regularly are less likely to indulge in alcohol and drugs because it hampers their physical performance. Many treatment programs will employ exercise to help recovering individuals to repair their bodies and to help reduce cravings.
Exercise can significantly reduce a craving for cigarettes and other addictive substances including drugs and alcohol. There was one study that was done about an exercise called qigong that requires structured breathing and meditation and how it helped heroin addicts succeed in defeating their dependence.
So I think exercise may be helping your son and the best thing you can do is continue to be there for him and to be supportive. He may very well want to get more support and help at a point in the future. I wish you and your husband the very best of luck and to your son as well.
Check out more fitness questions and answers in previous Dear Heathers.
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