My name's Scoop and I'm a runaholic

Most of us try it and give it up. Hospitals and services treat thousands of its victims every year. Annually, tens of thousands gather in city centres to binge on it for hours on end - many ending up in hospital or, if they are really unlucky, the mortuary. Its victims come from all walks of life, many of whom fall for its addictive powers. Scoop Skupien is the founder of Runaholics Anonymous and pioneer of the 12-step recovery programme. He is also a recovering runaholic. In this exclusive article he calls for endorphin junkies everywhere to stand up, raise their sweaty hands and confess ‘I am a runaholic’. © 2006, Emerald Group Publishing Limited