In this energizing episode of Naturally High, Jeanne welcomes addiction medicine specialist Dr. Casey Grover for an inspiring conversation about one of addiction recovery's most underutilized tools: exercise.

Drawing on his years of experience in emergency medicine and addiction treatment, Dr. Grover explains why movement is about far more than physical fitness—it is powerful medicine for the recovering brain. Together, Jeanne and Dr. Grover explore how dopamine, movement, and meaningful social connection help restore the brain's natural reward system during addiction recovery, supporting long-term sobriety, resilience, and healing.

From CrossFit communities to walking the dog, they remind us that recovery isn't about finding the "perfect" workout—it's about discovering movement that brings joy, fosters connection, and supports sustainable healing.

Jeanne and Dr. Grover also discuss identity, belonging, post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), and why community-based fitness can become a powerful catalyst for long-term recovery. Whether it's joining a recovery-focused fitness group or simply taking a daily walk, every step can help strengthen both physical and emotional well-being.

Whether you're newly sober, supporting a loved one, or looking for evidence-based strategies to improve your mental well-being, this episode offers practical insights into how exercise, community, and movement can strengthen addiction recovery, promote brain healing, and help you feel naturally high.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• 02:10 – Why exercise naturally restores dopamine and helps heal the brain during addiction recovery.
• 02:10 – How addiction disrupts the brain's reward system—and how movement helps repair it.
• 04:50 – Why positive social connection amplifies the benefits of exercise and boosts the brain's natural dopamine response.
• 06:56 – The role of belonging, community, and "finding your tribe" in building sustainable recovery.
• 09:48 – Why CrossFit is one example of recovery-friendly fitness—and why the best exercise is the one that works for you.
• 11:52 – How to choose movement you genuinely enjoy instead of forcing yourself into exercise.
• 11:52 – Why even 15 minutes of movement can improve your mood, build confidence, and support lasting recovery.
• 13:10 – The relationship between movement, stress reduction, nervous system regulation, and getting out of your head.
• 14:46 – How movement and positive social connection can support healing during post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS).
• 27:20 – Why recovery is about creating a life filled with purpose, accountability, achievement, and natural rewards instead of substances.

About Dr. Casey Grover

Dr. Casey Grover is an emergency physician, addiction medicine specialist, and host of the Addiction Medicine Made Easy podcast. Working daily on the front lines of overdose, withdrawal, and addiction treatment, he is committed to modernizing addiction medicine through education, compassionate care, and reducing stigma for patients and families alike.

Resources discussed in this episode:

• Addiction Medicine Made Easy Podcast
• Central Coast Overdose Prevention
• First City Fitness (Monterey)
• Naturally High Exercises

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• TheRecoveryConcierge.com
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Contact Dr. Casey Grover:

• addictionmedicinemadeeasy.com