title: [Exercise contacts in the treatment of substance dependence and mental disorders].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Physical exercise is useful for individuals with mental disorders with additional substance dependency or abuse. Many exercise actively while in institution, but a major challenge is to continue after discharge. Many patients are isolated and lonely and find it hard to motivate themselves to exercise on their own.
  
  
  METHODS
  In Sogn og Fjordane county, Norway, the problem was dealt with through a training program of exercise contacts. These are social support persons who were thus assigned a new function. By way of a 40-hour course that covered physical activity, psychological problems, and substance abuse and dependency, lay people were trained to help people in their home environment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By the end of 2005, almost 300 exercise contacts, living in 25 of the 26 municipalities in the county, had passed the course exam. Their expertise is highly demanded and more courses have been requested. The course evaluations have been quite positive. In particular, the practical instructions about how to exercise, in combination with updated theory on substance abuse/dependence and mental disorders, were highly appreciated. Clients were helped to continue with regular physical activity and they have appreciated the improved physical and mental health that was associated with regular exercise. Moreover, the exercise contacts help clients break social isolation and have given them access to the common social arenas.
authors.affiliation: Psykiatrisk klinikk, Helse Førde.
authors.forename: Atle
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Skrede
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Munkvold
authors.forename: Øyvind
authors.initials: Ø
authors.lastname: Watne
authors.forename: Egil W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Martinsen
mesh_terms: D003153:Community Health Services; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D004493:Education; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D010560:Personnel Selection; D012934:Social Isolation; D012944:Social Support; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D000078329:Workforce