Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-6-2020

Publication Title

Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment

Volume

14

First page number:

1

Last page number:

8

Abstract

While emerging studies have demonstrated the benefit of exercise in Substance Use Disorder (SUD) recovery outcomes, lack of motivation to engage in exercise has been indicated as one of many perceived barriers that contribute to low recruitment and adherence rates in SUD treatment. The current study aimed to explore participants’ perceptions of attending a supervised exercise program (boot camp workouts, walking/running practice, and a race event) while in treatment for SUD. A total of 109 participants were recruited to a 14-week exercise training program and 61 chose to participate in, and completed, a race at the close of the program. Interviews were conducted during weeks 6 through 14 and data were examined using Thematic Analysis. Three main themes were identified: (1) pushing forward recovery through running, (2) gaining a sense of achievement by crossing the finish line, and (3) building a sense of belonging in the program. Implications for SUD recovery programs are discussed.

Keywords

Supervised Exercise Program; Boot Camp Workouts; Substance Use Disorder; Relapse Prevention

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Mental and Social Health | Substance Abuse and Addiction

File Format

pdf

File Size

1.654 KB

Language

English

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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