(CNN) -- When rehab and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings didn't work for Eddie Freas, he sought another way to kick his 20-year drug and alcohol addiction. 

Eddie Freas fights drug addiction by putting all his energy into training for triathlons. 

He swam 2.4 miles. He biked 112 miles. He ran 26.2 miles. The Pennsville, New Jersey, resident found relief in triathlons. 

"I feel better when I'm working out," said Freas, 33. "It does wonders for the mind. The reason I started running -- it was a switch that went off in my head. I started feeling positive and feeling great about myself." 

Freas spent his youth in pursuit of drugs. At the age of 13, he snuck bottles of Amaretto and rum from his mother's liquor cabinet. He also developed a taste for marijuana and cocaine. By his senior year of high school, Freas was kicked off the wrestling and football teams after failing a drug test. 

Then in 2007, after a three-day binge, "I came home and was crying," Freas said. "I was so depressed. I turned on the TV." The set was tuned to ESPN, which was airing a story about a former drug addict who competed in triathlons. 

The program's subject was Todd Crandell, who had lost a college hockey scholarship because of a drug addiction. After 13 years of using drugs, Crandell started competing in Ironman races and championed finding positive ways to fight addiction through his program called Racing for Recovery. 

"Having an athletic background, I was drawn to getting back in shape," Crandell said. "It makes you turn intellectually and spiritually fit. Exercise is essential. It decreases addiction, depression and you use it as part of the recovery." 
Who lost a college hockey scholarship because of addiction?
How long did he use drugs for?
Who did AA not work for?
How long did he use drugs and alcohol for?
How does he combat his addiction?
What happened in 2007?
What did he Freas do when he was 13?
When was he kicked off the wrestling and football teams?
What program did Crandell start?
What does he say is essential?
Does he think it decreases addiction and depression?
How many miles did Eddie swim?
Did he cycle for 200 miles?
How many did he cycle?
Did he walk for 26.2 miles?
What did he do for those miles?
What city is Freas from?
How old is he?
What did he say went off in his head?
And how did he start feeling about himself?
Todd Crandell
Todd Crandell, who had lost a college hockey scholarship
13 years
13 years of using drugs
Eddie Freas
Alcoholics Anonymous meetings didn't work for Eddie Freas
20-years
20-year drug and alcohol addiction.
training for triathlons.
Eddie Freas fights drug addiction by putting all his energy into training for triathlons. 
after a three-day binge, "I came home and was crying," Freas said. "I was so depressed. I turned on the TV." The set was tuned to ESPN, which was airing a story about a former drug addict who competed in triathlons.
after a three-day binge, "I came home and was crying," Freas said. "I was so depressed. I turned on the TV." The set was tuned to ESPN, which was airing a story about a former drug addict who competed in triathlons. 
he snuck bottles of Amaretto and rum from his mother's liquor cabinet.
 13, he snuck bottles of Amaretto and rum from his mother's liquor cabinet.
after failing a drug test.
Freas was kicked off the wrestling and football teams after failing a drug test. 
Racing for Recovery
Racing for Recovery
Exercise
Exercise is essential
yes
It decreases addiction, depression
2.4 miles
He swam 2.4 miles
no
He biked 112 miles. 
112 miles.
He biked 112 miles.
no
He ran 26.2 miles.
He ran
He ran 26.2 miles
Pennsville
Pennsville, New Jersey, resident
33
Freas, 33
a switch
a switch that went off in my head.
positive and feeling great
 started feeling positive and feeling great about myself." 