From the abyss of addiction to the summits of resilience
Some stories inspire more than others. Those of men and women who came close to destruction through alcohol, drugs, cannabis or tobacco, and even video games(Clément Deffrenne ), then found in an extreme sport like ultra-trail a path to rebirth.
Running 80, 100, sometimes 160 kilometers in hostile mountains seems insane to many. But for these former addicts, it’s a way of proving that they’ve taken their revenge on life, that their energy, once swallowed up by addiction, is now put to use in a positive way to surpass themselves.
Ultra-trail is more than a race: it’s therapy, an outlet, a new addiction… but a constructive one.
Why ultra-trail attracts former addicts
An intensity that replaces substance intensity
In the past, drugs, alcohol or cannabis provided the thrills. Runners testify: ultra-trail running gives them the same adrenalin and endorphin rush, but this time without any danger to their health.
Extreme effort, accepted pain and transcended fatigue become a new way of accessing a second state, an expanded state of consciousness.
A life-saving discipline
Addiction is the absence of control. Ultra-trailers do just the opposite: a strict lifestyle, methodical training, a supervised diet, restful sleep.
By replacing old rituals with healthy routines, these athletes rebuild their identity around rigor and respect for their bodies.
A clear objective
Where addiction locks you into a never-ending spiral, ultra-trail racing offers precise milestones: a first 20 km, a marathon, then a legendary race like the UTMB. Every milestone we reach builds our confidence, and every finish validates the idea that anything is possible.
From destructive dependence to constructive dependence
You don’t always get over an addiction by erasing it. Often, you replace it.
For these runners, an addiction to cigarettes or alcohol has been transformed into a passion for long-distance running.
The big difference?
- Before: loss of health, isolation, guilt.
- Now: stronger muscles, a closer-knit community, personal pride.
Addiction hasn’t disappeared, but it has been transformed into an energy that pushes us upwards.
The role of the mind: managing pain as you would manage lack
Ultra-trail runners learn to tame physical pain, to dialogue with their body when it cries stop. This process is eerily similar to managing cravings when quitting a substance: accept the craving, look at it, let it pass.
Every kilometer is a victory over the old life.
Every step in the mountains becomes a metaphor: “If I can cross this breathless pass, I can also cross my old demons.”
Testimonials and inspiring stories
- Marc, 42, former alcoholic: “I used to drink from morning till night. Today, I’m running 100 km in the Alps. Alcohol was destroying me, ultra-trail is rebuilding me.”
- Sophie, 35, ex-cannabis user: “I thought I needed to smoke to manage my stress. In reality, it’s through effort and nature that I’ve found my peace.”
- Yann, 50, former smoker: “I smoked two packs a day for 25 years. The day I managed to finish my first ultra, I knew I was no longer a prisoner of anything.”
These real-life stories prove that addiction can be a driving force for self-improvement.
Why this story touches us so much
Because it reminds us that behind every addict lies incredible potential.
Tobacco, alcohol or drugs are not inevitable. They merely mask an inner strength waiting to be released.
Ultra-trail running is a spectacular illustration of this potential.
But not everyone has the ability or inclination to run 150 km through the mountains. The good news is that there are other ways to regain control of your life and kick your addictions.
MyLaserTabac: another path to freedom
At MyLaserTabac, we believe that everyone deserves a second chance.
Our method is based on auricular reflexology combined with laser, a gentle, modern technology that stimulates precise points in the ear linked to stress and addiction.
How does it work?
- A painless laser beam acts on reflex zones.
- These stimulations send signals of relaxation and release to the brain.
- Result: cravings diminish, anxiety is reduced, and motivation is restored.
The addictions we treat
- 🚭 Tobacco: no more cigarettes, tar and nicotine.
- 🍫 S ugar: putting an end to irrepressible cravings that damage your health.
- 🍷 Alcohol: regain control over your choices and your parties.
- 🌿 Cannabis: turning the page without suffering withdrawal symptoms.
- 😌 S tress: learning to release pressure without resorting to the wrong solutions.
Just as ultra-trailers transform negative energy into positive force, our method transforms lack into serenity.
Conclusion: to each his own summit to climb
Some choose to run mountains to prove they are free. Others choose a gentle and effective method to stop smoking, drinking or using drugs.
The essential goal is the same: to regain their dignity, their health and the pleasure of a life without chains.
👉 You don’t need to run an ultra-trail to turn the page. With MyLaserTabacyou can cross your own finish line: that of freedom.
