Exercise may turn out to be an effective treatment option for alcoholism, a 2010 animal study suggests.

Alcoholism disrupts normal daily circadian rhythms (such as when to sleep and eat), which leads to disrupted sleep patterns. As a result, alcoholics may begin to drink even more in an attempt to fall asleep easier. But this often leads to more sleep problems and an even greater craving for alcohol.

For this study, researchers tested the effect that exercise (in the form of wheel-running) had on hamsters’ alcohol intake.

“In this study, we found that the more the hamsters ran, the less they consumed alcohol,” said corresponding author J. David Glass, a professor of biological sciences at Kent State University. “The ‘lazier’ hamsters that did not run as much had a greater craving for and consumption of alcohol, suggesting that exercise may be an effective, beneficial, and non-pharmacologic treatment option for alcoholism.”

Exercise seems to reduce alcohol consumption by stimulating brain reward pathways in a manner similar to alcohol.

“Dopamine is the primary chemical released within the brain in response to any type of reward, including exercise, drugs, food, and sex,” Glass said. “For humans, exercise may be an effective, beneficial and naturally rewarding substitute for any type of addiction. It may also reduce the risk of addiction in individuals who have a family history of it, in addition to significantly reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and mood disorders. But like all rewards, exercise should be used in moderation, and not interfere with an individual’s normal daily functioning.”