Exercise may reduce cocaine binges

By Staff Writer

The findings of a new study indicate that cocaine users who partake in aerobic exercise may reduce their addiction to the drug. The results of this study were presented in San Diego at Neuroscience 2010, the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience.

In the study, rats with access to running wheels self-administered less cocaine than rats without wheels. The study findings lead researchers to believe that exercise may reduce binge-like patterns of cocaine use.

Binges are episodes of brief but excessive drug use, and characterize addiction. This behavior can lead an addict or user to engage in criminal activity, visit hospital emergency rooms or engage in high-risk sexual behavior.

The researchers say that randomized clinical trials examining the effects of aerobic exercise have yet to be conducted. However, they are encouraged by additional studies that show individuals who participate in exercise-related activities during formal treatment maintain higher abstinence rates.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant drug that can have a number of negative effects on a user’s health. Behavioral intervention is an effective treatment option for decreasing use and preventing relapse.