Dr. Joel Nathan
04-08-2009, 11:13 PM
As an addiction med doc who has been detoxing people for 20+ years, I have found one question very central to why certain people are more prone to addiction.
I ask all my patients, “What sport do you play now or did you play when you were in school.” Almost to a man (or woman) they did indeed excel at a sport. In later life they can also become business jocks, traveling constantly, wheeling and dealing, working with millions of dollars and taking risks that sometime lead to longer-term gain. The structure and discipline of sports keeps people focused on a healthy life style.
So why’s this important? It’s because when a jock feels his endorphins, they feel better than the average Joe and when they use drugs, they feel much better than the average Joe. Many jocks get into careers that are physical in nature or have risk takng (iron workers, movers, sheet metal workers ( the most fun loving guys, I've me), firemen, police officers., for example.)
What's your experience in this aspect of your life?
Should this fit your description, you need exercise as part of your life to substitute for your drug of choice. Making lifestyle changes will be more easily done if you have the structure and determination that an athlete has.
I don’t know yet if people into certain sports are more susceptible to addiction issues than others.
What’s your sport? It could be an answer that helps get you back to your old self.
Regards,
Joel
I ask all my patients, “What sport do you play now or did you play when you were in school.” Almost to a man (or woman) they did indeed excel at a sport. In later life they can also become business jocks, traveling constantly, wheeling and dealing, working with millions of dollars and taking risks that sometime lead to longer-term gain. The structure and discipline of sports keeps people focused on a healthy life style.
So why’s this important? It’s because when a jock feels his endorphins, they feel better than the average Joe and when they use drugs, they feel much better than the average Joe. Many jocks get into careers that are physical in nature or have risk takng (iron workers, movers, sheet metal workers ( the most fun loving guys, I've me), firemen, police officers., for example.)
What's your experience in this aspect of your life?
Should this fit your description, you need exercise as part of your life to substitute for your drug of choice. Making lifestyle changes will be more easily done if you have the structure and determination that an athlete has.
I don’t know yet if people into certain sports are more susceptible to addiction issues than others.
What’s your sport? It could be an answer that helps get you back to your old self.
Regards,
Joel