NEW DELHI: Rahul Jadhav (42) was in college in Mumbai when he took to drugs and alcohol. The idea was to have some “fun” with friends. But it turned into a debilitating addiction over the years. Eventually, he got into rehab and came out of his predicament. But 18 years hence, he decided to run for health and life.Jadhav ran all the way from Gateway of India in Mumbai to India Gate in Delhi — a distance of 1,475km that he covered in 20 days — to further the cause of anti-addiction fight. This he did by beginning his run early morning and continuing even after sunset, clocking a daily average of 75km.The past may be behind now, but Jadhav recalls his fight with addiction being tough. He would stay at home and drink all day. “My parents and relatives would worry about me as I would not do any work and only drink all day. I needed easy money to fund my alcoholism, so I got involved with an organised crime syndicate,” Jadhav said.He even went to prison once. “After that, my family took me to a doctor in Thane, who suggested that I should go for rehab. I got treated for two years,” said Jadhav who today works in a chocolate-making company.But coming out of rehab didn’t really change his life much. He was picked up by police for some investigation. “That made me unhappy and I returned to drinking. Fortunately, I came across Muktangan Rehabilitation Centre in Pune where I was treated for my addiction,” Jadhav said.His counsellor Atul Agnihotri said it’s difficult to give up completely for many addicts. “But Rahul was strong enough that he not only became better, he also wants to spread the message against addiction,” Agnihotri said.During his run, Jadhav said, he had interactions with people at de-addiction centres or working in dhabas as he crossed the four states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Haryana. In Rajasthan, he had some trouble as there was construction going on the highway and the road was inclined.Prerak Arya, aphysiotherapist who accompanied the runner, said that roads often affect runners. “In Gurgaon and Delhi, there were flyovers because of which I lost my rhythm and found that there is no space for people to walk,” Jadhav said.But he completed his run for the sake of sending a message to friends and strangers alike who are addicts that “if you choose a new life—that of sports—you will get a high unlike anything”.

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