Cycling to recover from alcohol and drug abuse?
12-08-22, 03:33 AM
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Well...I'm an alcoholic in long-term recovery, an addict who found alcohol to be the best of all drugs. A good number of the men on my dad's side of the family have problems with the booze. I've been sober now for 7 1/2 years. I was quite addicted: it was much easier for me to quit smoking than drinking.
Cycling has been a huge part of my recovery. When I first got sober, I had problems sleeping...so a few nights a week, I stayed up all night and then rode to work (33 miles). If I had a bad day or whatever, I rode my bike. When my dad was battling cancer, then eventually died, I rode my bike - and got through it all without booze. During the 9 months or so that I didn't ride my bike, I was a hot mess. Cycling helps me kill off some of that anxiety, anger, and fear that I used to kill off with alcohol.
Along the way, I discovered that riding my bike fast, long, and hard gives me a buzz. I feel good after putting down a few hills, and I feel high somewhere around the 3-4 hour mark. The more I push it, the more I get the buzz. I actively seek the feeling. It's a replacement addiction, and I will readily admit this. Just like with alcohol, I don't want to stop until I'm passed out. The difference is that with cycling, I can and do.
Cycling alone is not enough for me to abstain from alcohol, but it helps. It's a big part of my action steps for maintaining sobriety, which includes treatment for biologically based mental health issues, therapy, helping those in need, and actively trying to be a bit better each day.
Cycling has been a huge part of my recovery. When I first got sober, I had problems sleeping...so a few nights a week, I stayed up all night and then rode to work (33 miles). If I had a bad day or whatever, I rode my bike. When my dad was battling cancer, then eventually died, I rode my bike - and got through it all without booze. During the 9 months or so that I didn't ride my bike, I was a hot mess. Cycling helps me kill off some of that anxiety, anger, and fear that I used to kill off with alcohol.
Along the way, I discovered that riding my bike fast, long, and hard gives me a buzz. I feel good after putting down a few hills, and I feel high somewhere around the 3-4 hour mark. The more I push it, the more I get the buzz. I actively seek the feeling. It's a replacement addiction, and I will readily admit this. Just like with alcohol, I don't want to stop until I'm passed out. The difference is that with cycling, I can and do.
Cycling alone is not enough for me to abstain from alcohol, but it helps. It's a big part of my action steps for maintaining sobriety, which includes treatment for biologically based mental health issues, therapy, helping those in need, and actively trying to be a bit better each day.
12-08-22, 06:27 AM
#27
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I, also, have been alcohol free for over 7 years. I have been a road cyclist for about 50 years. I have no doubt that bicycling played a big part, still does, in my staying that way. That includes acquiring tools and learning how to do the work on my bikes. The mental aspect of cycling is just as important as the physical aspect, maybe more. One caveat, for me, that means riding outdoors. Pedaling indoors does not give me the same level of mental release, or as big of a boost.
12-08-22, 10:07 AM
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I, also, have been alcohol free for over 7 years. I have been a road cyclist for about 50 years. I have no doubt that bicycling played a big part, still does, in my staying that way. That includes acquiring tools and learning how to do the work on my bikes. The mental aspect of cycling is just as important as the physical aspect, maybe more. One caveat, for me, that means riding outdoors. Pedaling indoors does not give me the same level of mental release, or as big of a boost.
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12-08-22, 11:46 AM
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Drinking quit me about 5 years ago.
Cycling is very good for my mental health. Whether free riding or cranking on an interval, I'm completely focusing on the here and now.
On the other hand, fooling around on old French bikes allows for a lot of ruminating. 😉
Cycling is very good for my mental health. Whether free riding or cranking on an interval, I'm completely focusing on the here and now.
On the other hand, fooling around on old French bikes allows for a lot of ruminating. 😉
12-08-22, 12:11 PM
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My heart and best wishes go out to all that are struggling, or are in remission. You are and have climbed mountains higher than I can imagine.
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Last edited by rsbob; 12-08-22 at 12:21 PM.
12-08-22, 01:27 PM
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This was the first, serious, respectful, heart-felt thread until your unnecessarily post. If this was an attempt at humor, you missed the mark,
My heart and best wishes go out to all that are struggling, or are in remission. You are and have climbed mountains higher than I can imagine.
My heart and best wishes go out to all that are struggling, or are in remission. You are and have climbed mountains higher than I can imagine.
Agreed whole heartedly on the second part of your post. Having known enough people in recovery or who should be in recovery I know it is a tough thing to beat.
12-08-22, 02:09 PM
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Like nobody on BF has made a career of starting stupid threads.....
12-08-22, 07:02 PM
#33
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12-09-22, 09:01 AM
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To recover from drug abuse, cycling would seem to be one of the least boring ways to do it!!!
12-09-22, 09:42 AM
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I am the not-so-proud owner of a ticket. D.U.I. on a bicycle, in 1996 or so. Cycling didn't replace alcohol and drugs, it enabled them. My breaking point was waking up on the bathroom floor of a gas station in my own puke.
The clerk knew me and let me sleep it off. I was mortified when I had to leave that bathroom stinking of puke/alcohol and piss.
That was it.
I am an alcoholic. I am 23 years sober. 29 years for that white crap.
The clerk knew me and let me sleep it off. I was mortified when I had to leave that bathroom stinking of puke/alcohol and piss.
That was it.
I am an alcoholic. I am 23 years sober. 29 years for that white crap.
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12-09-22, 10:36 PM
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Howdy folks, I'm also an alcoholic and addict. I put down the booze on 9-18-92, and recently realized, that I completely missed my 30th AA birthday, lol. 🙄
I really struggled with it, in the beginning (about the first 10 years), because of coming from a pretty dysfunctional family.
I really wanted to be normal, but didn't really know what normal was. Guess what? There's no such thing. 😒 So don't waste your time trying to "fit in" or live up to any expectations, your own or anyone else's. Just get rid of your bad habits, and fill the void with some good habits.
As far as meetings go, there's a lot of good stuff, and a lot of crap. Just take what you need, and leave the rest.
Bicycle riding took me quite awhile to get into, because I was dumb enough to hang onto my tobacco habit for several more years, after I put down the booze. I finally quit that, when Seattle raised the taxes on tobacco like crazy, back in the early 2000s. I "could" still afford it, but my resentment against the government let me quit, just to spite them, lol. 🤔😉
Anyways, I'm still a pretty sick puppy, but a lot healthier, without all that mess.
If I can do it, y'all can too. ✌️😎✌️
I really struggled with it, in the beginning (about the first 10 years), because of coming from a pretty dysfunctional family.
I really wanted to be normal, but didn't really know what normal was. Guess what? There's no such thing. 😒 So don't waste your time trying to "fit in" or live up to any expectations, your own or anyone else's. Just get rid of your bad habits, and fill the void with some good habits.
As far as meetings go, there's a lot of good stuff, and a lot of crap. Just take what you need, and leave the rest.
Bicycle riding took me quite awhile to get into, because I was dumb enough to hang onto my tobacco habit for several more years, after I put down the booze. I finally quit that, when Seattle raised the taxes on tobacco like crazy, back in the early 2000s. I "could" still afford it, but my resentment against the government let me quit, just to spite them, lol. 🤔😉
Anyways, I'm still a pretty sick puppy, but a lot healthier, without all that mess.
If I can do it, y'all can too. ✌️😎✌️
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12-12-22, 11:29 AM
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I'm not an addict, but I have a loved one who is.
Cycling has had no effect on their addiction. It has not improved, nor has it worsened, their recovery.
Cycling has had no effect on their addiction. It has not improved, nor has it worsened, their recovery.
12-12-22, 11:42 AM
#38
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FWIW the latest Adventure Cyclist is all about dealing with mental health issues, including addiction, through bicycling.
For some reason the ads don't mention such issues and focus on the cycling.
For some reason the ads don't mention such issues and focus on the cycling.
12-12-22, 11:53 AM
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I see mention of zombie thread. Kind of fits for this topic. Just when you thought you had it beat.
12-12-22, 12:04 PM
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When I think about it I realize that I quit just about anything that interfered with my activities, except food. Drinking? Caused me to slow down and have longer recovery times so forget that. Smoking? No way, I need my air. Illegal drugs? No Way, military piss tests made that kinda stuff a career decision. Prescribed drugs? Pain killers, close call after breaking several vertebra in a bicycle back injury, but as soon as I found myself popping a Tramadol before a ride, fugitabout it! There are a few things I am addicted to. One is my massage chair. I drag myself over to it for at least 30 minutes each morning and then a few more times before bed. My back brace, yep at least 8 hours a day mostly at night. And Rats... I just love sweets... Ha
Doing a study on the use of bicycling is a good idea. There are many aspects of cycling that assist in recovery. I read a good publication years ago on a Motorcycle Group (Gang) that was sober and toured the country. I think it was in the VFW magazine about 5 years ago. The article identified seven important aspects helping with recovery. The most important being social support. You should look it up for comparisons.
I have associated with many, many successfully recovered addicts. My personal observation is that the successful ones have a founded belief in a higher power and are always active, both physically and socially...
Just realized this post started 5 years ago... Wonder what he published?
Doing a study on the use of bicycling is a good idea. There are many aspects of cycling that assist in recovery. I read a good publication years ago on a Motorcycle Group (Gang) that was sober and toured the country. I think it was in the VFW magazine about 5 years ago. The article identified seven important aspects helping with recovery. The most important being social support. You should look it up for comparisons.
I have associated with many, many successfully recovered addicts. My personal observation is that the successful ones have a founded belief in a higher power and are always active, both physically and socially...
Just realized this post started 5 years ago... Wonder what he published?
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12-12-22, 02:32 PM
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“Days of Wine and Roses” was on TCM last night. Definitely worth watching if you’ve never seen it. The greenhouse scene is powerful.
12-13-22, 06:35 AM
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I made my own beer and mead for 25 years. I was really into it, all grain, judged beer comps, etc. I kept three beers on tap for my friends and I. I rode my bike as well thinking that it mitigated the two twenty ounce beers/night that I drank. I went to the doctor for a check up in January and he presented me with "the numbers". It was like someone pulled down a huge electrical lever. I'm done. I've been getting rid of my equipment. The weight is coming off. I will now pour my thoughts and efforts into cycling until I cant any longer.
Last edited by boozergut; 12-15-22 at 08:17 AM.
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12-13-22, 06:55 AM
#43
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Learning healthy habits to replace destructive ones is part of a solid rehabilitation plan in treatment of all addictions.
It is also great for mild/moderate depression/anxiety.
I start getting agitated if I cannot get out for a ride/hike 2-3 times per week.
It is also great for mild/moderate depression/anxiety.
I start getting agitated if I cannot get out for a ride/hike 2-3 times per week.
12-13-22, 12:39 PM
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12-13-22, 06:18 PM
#45
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Cycling, or even running, seems to be an excellent antidote for a variety of concerns. It could be a bad relationship, a stressful job, pervasive anxiety, uncontrollable life circumstances and (you fill in the blank). As all of us know, exercise has proven benefits, both mental and physical. Even if the activity is only temporary, it provides something to look forward to in the future and a reprieve. It may also allow you to eat just a bit more guilt free.
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12-13-22, 08:34 PM
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