Get 20M+ Full-Text Papers For Less Than $1.50/day. Start a 14-Day Trial for You or Your Team.

Learn More →

Can CrossFit aid in addiction recovery? An exploratory media analysis of popular press

Can CrossFit aid in addiction recovery? An exploratory media analysis of popular press CrossFit has been popularized for the high intensity workouts it provides and the sense of community it facilitates; however, its potential as an adjunctive treatment for addiction is unknown, as is has not been published in traditional peer-reviewed literature. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the potential for CrossFit to benefit individuals in addiction recovery.Design/methodology/approachA search was conducted using the search terms “CrossFit,” “addiction” and “addiction recovery.” A tool was created to categorize key information within articles such as type(s) of addiction described, mention of support/community, main narrative type (personal story, information about a treatment centers, etc.), mental health described as a comorbidity, and if the exercise program(s) was(were) used to prevent, sustain or support recovery.FindingsNearly half of the articles reviewed (48 per cent) described personal stories related to using CrossFit as a means to overcome addiction, and 26 per cent were about CrossFit gyms targeting addiction recovery. A key finding was that 62 per cent of all articles mentioned the community and social component of CrossFit as an important mechanism of the recovery process. Finally, 33 per cent of articles recognized mental health as a comorbidity to addiction and therefore also proposed CrossFit as a suitable way to improve mental health.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough this was a review of gray literature, the findings reveal how CrossFit may be an innovative approach for supporting addiction recovery.Practical implicationsThe potential benefits identified in the articles demonstrate the positive impact that CrossFit may have on recovering addicts. Empirical research is needed to objectively study the impact of key aspects that CrossFit can provide to individuals overcoming addiction.Originality/valueThis study provides an example of how anecdotal evidence of addiction recovery can be used for analysis, thus providing a strategy to be implemented in addiction treatment facilities. CrossFit has been widely popularized by the fitness community, but the social support and exercise it provides may be a leverage point for supporting individuals in recovery. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Mental Health and Social Inclusion Emerald Publishing

Can CrossFit aid in addiction recovery? An exploratory media analysis of popular press

Download PDF
8 pages

Loading next page...
 
/lp/emerald-publishing/can-crossfit-aid-in-addiction-recovery-an-exploratory-media-analysis-xI8kfUGVfH
Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
© Emerald Publishing Limited
ISSN
2042-8308
DOI
10.1108/mhsi-02-2020-0007
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

CrossFit has been popularized for the high intensity workouts it provides and the sense of community it facilitates; however, its potential as an adjunctive treatment for addiction is unknown, as is has not been published in traditional peer-reviewed literature. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the potential for CrossFit to benefit individuals in addiction recovery.Design/methodology/approachA search was conducted using the search terms “CrossFit,” “addiction” and “addiction recovery.” A tool was created to categorize key information within articles such as type(s) of addiction described, mention of support/community, main narrative type (personal story, information about a treatment centers, etc.), mental health described as a comorbidity, and if the exercise program(s) was(were) used to prevent, sustain or support recovery.FindingsNearly half of the articles reviewed (48 per cent) described personal stories related to using CrossFit as a means to overcome addiction, and 26 per cent were about CrossFit gyms targeting addiction recovery. A key finding was that 62 per cent of all articles mentioned the community and social component of CrossFit as an important mechanism of the recovery process. Finally, 33 per cent of articles recognized mental health as a comorbidity to addiction and therefore also proposed CrossFit as a suitable way to improve mental health.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough this was a review of gray literature, the findings reveal how CrossFit may be an innovative approach for supporting addiction recovery.Practical implicationsThe potential benefits identified in the articles demonstrate the positive impact that CrossFit may have on recovering addicts. Empirical research is needed to objectively study the impact of key aspects that CrossFit can provide to individuals overcoming addiction.Originality/valueThis study provides an example of how anecdotal evidence of addiction recovery can be used for analysis, thus providing a strategy to be implemented in addiction treatment facilities. CrossFit has been widely popularized by the fitness community, but the social support and exercise it provides may be a leverage point for supporting individuals in recovery.

Journal

Mental Health and Social Inclusion – Emerald Publishing

Published: May 28, 2020

Keywords: Social support; Physical activity; Community; Substance misuse; Addiction

References

  • Questions and answers on sponsorship
  • Defining and operationalizing the phenomena of recovery: a working definition from the recovery science research collaborative
    Ashford, R.D.; Brown, A.; Brown, T.; Callis, J.; Cleveland, H.H.; Eisenhart, E.; Groover, H.; Hayes, N.; Johnston, T.; Kimball, T.; Manteuffel, B.; Whitney, J.
  • Acute effects of exercise on affective responses, cravings and heart rate variability in inpatients with alcohol use disorder – a randomized cross-over trial
    Bichler, C.; Niedermeier, M.; Frühauf, A.; Längle, N.; Fleischhacker, W.W.; Mechtcheriakov, S.; Kopp, M.
  • Psychiatric comorbidity in patients with eating disorders
    Braun, D.L.; Sunday, S.R.; Halmi, K.A.
  • A preliminary, randomized trial of aerobic exercise for alcohol dependence
    Brown, R.A.; Abrantes, A.M.; Minami, H.; Read, J.P.; Marcus, B.H.; Jakicic, J.M.; Strong, D.R.; Dubreuil, M.E.; Gordon, A.A.; Ramsey, S.E.; Kahler, C.W.; Stuart, G.L.
  • Aerobic exercise for alcohol recovery: rationale, program description, and preliminary findings
    Brown, R.A.; Abrantes, A.M.; Read, J.P.; Marcus, B.H.; Jakicic, J.; Strong, D.R.; Oakley, J.R.; Ramsey, S.E.; Kahler, C.W.; Stuart, G.; Dubreuil, M.E.; Gordon, A.A.
  • A pilot study of aerobic exercise as an adjunctive treatment for drug dependence
    Brown, R.A.; Abrantes, A.M.; Read, J.P.; Marcus, B.H.; Jakicic, J.; Strong, D.R.; Oakley, J.R.; Ramsey, S.E.; Kahler, C.W.; Stuart, G.L.; Dubreuil, M.E.; Gordon, A.A.
  • Social support and cognitive impairment in clients receiving treatment for alcohol-and drug-use disorders: a replication study
    Buckman, J.F.; Bates, M.E.; Morgenstern, J.
  • Exercise: a neglected intervention in mental health care?
    Callaghan, P.
  • Association between physical exercise and mental health in 1·2 million individuals in the USA between 2011 and 2015: a cross-sectional study
    Chekroud, S.R.; Cheroud, A.M.; Gueorguieva, R.; Zheutlin, A.B.; Paulus, M.; Krumholz, H.M.; Krystal, J.H.
  • CrossFit overview: systematic review and Meta-analysis
    Claudino, J.G.; Gabbett, T.J.; Bourgeois, F.; Souza, H. D S.; Miranda, R.C.; Mezêncio, B.; Soncin, R.; Cardoso Filho, C.A.; Bottaro, M.; Hernandez, A.J.; Amadio, A.C.; Serrão, J.C.
  • A pilot trial of a videogame-based exercise program for methadone maintained patients
    Cutter, C.J.; Schottenfeld, R.S.; Moore, B.A.; Ball, S.A.; Beitel, M.; Savant, J.D.; Stults-Kolehmainen, M.A.; Doucette, C.; Barry, D.T.
  • Exercise and mental health: many reasons to move
    Deslandes, A.; Moraes, H.; Ferreira, C.; Veiga, H.; Silveira, H.; Mouta, R.; Pompeu, F.A.; Coutinho, E.S.F.; Laks, J.
  • Eight weeks of exercise training improves fitness measures in methamphetamine-dependent individuals in residential treatment
    Dolezal, B.A.; Chudzynski, J.; Storer, T.W.; Abrazado, M.; Penate, J.; Mooney, L.; Dickerson, D.; Rawson, R.A.; Cooper, C.B.
  • The benefits and risks of the high-intensity CrossFit training
    Gianzina, E.A.; Kassotaki, O.A.
  • Benefits of exercise for the quality of life of drug-dependent patients
    Giménez-Meseguer, J.; Tortosa-Martínez, J.; de los Remedios Fernández-Valenciano, M.
  • Economic analysis of costs and consequences of the treatment of drug misuse: 2-year outcome data from the national treatment outcome research study (NTORS)
    Godfrey, C.; Stewart, D.; Gossop, M.
  • Predictors of depression outcomes among abstinent methamphetamine-dependent individuals exposed to an exercise intervention: predictors of depression response to exercise treatment
    Haglund, M.; Ang, A.; Mooney, L.; Gonzales, R.; Chudzynski, J.; Cooper, C.B.; Dolezal, B.A.; Gitlin, M.; Rawson, R.A.
  • Mapping coaches’ views of participation in CrossFit to the integrated theory of health behavior change and sense of community
    Heinrich, K.M.; Carlisle, T.; Kehler, A.; Cosgrove, S.J.
  • Mapping coaches’ views of participation in CrossFit to the integrated theory of health behavior change and sense of community
    Heinrich, K.M.; Carlisle, T.; Kehler, A.; Cosgrove, S.J.
  • High-intensity compared to moderate-intensity training for exercise initiation, enjoyment, adherence, and intentions: an intervention study
    Heinrich, K.M.; Patel, P.M.; O’Neal, J.L.; Heinrich, B.S.
  • Affective responses during high-intensity functional training compared to high-intensity interval training and moderate continuous training
    Heinrich, K.M.; Crawford, D.A.; Johns, B.R.; Frye, J.; Gilmore, K.E.O.
  • Reduced social network drinking is associated with improved response inhibition in women during early recovery from alcohol use disorders: a pilot study
    McCutcheon, V.V.; Luke, D.A.; Lessov-Schlaggar, C.N.
  • The cost of treating addiction from the client’s perspective: results from a multi-modality application of the client DATCAP
    McCollister, K.E.; French, M.T.; Pyne, J.M.; Booth, B.; Rapp, R.; Carr, C.
  • Social support and mental health during recovery from drug and alcohol problems
    McGaffin, B.J.; Deane, F.P.; Kelly, P.J.; Blackman, R.J.
  • Recovery
  • Common comorbidities with substance use disorders
  • Treatment and recovery
  • Trends and statistics
  • Non-substance addictive behaviors in the context of DSM-5
    Potenza, M.N.
  • The role of social support in collegiate recovery communities: a review of the literature
    Smock, S.A.; Baker, A.K.; Harris, K.S.; D’Sauza, C.
  • Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (HHS Publication No. SMA 18-5068, NSDUH Series H-53)
  • Mental disorders as risk factors for substance use, abuse and dependence: results from the 10-year follow-up of the national comorbidity survey
    Swendsen, J.; Conway, K.P.; Degenhardt, L.; Glantz, M.; Jin, R.; Merikangas, K.R.; Sampson, N.; Kessler, R.C.
  • Barriers to medications for addiction treatment: how stigma kills
    Wakeman, S.E.; Rich, J.D.
  • Impact of physical exercise on substance use disorders: a Meta-analysis
    Wang, D.; Wang, Y.; Wang, Y.; Li, R.; Zhou, C.
  • Exercise-related activities are associated with positive outcome in contingency management treatment for substance use disorders
    Weinstock, J.; Barry, D.; Petry, N.M.
  • The role of social Capital and community belongingness for exercise adherence: an exploratory study of the CrossFit gym model
    Whiteman-Sandland, J.; Hawkins, J.; Clayton, D.
  • What is recovery? a working definition from the betty ford institute
  • Exercise addiction in CrossFit: prevalence and psychometric properties of the exercise addiction inventory
    Lichtenstein, M.B.; Jensen, T.T.