It was after a speeding, where the Norwegian drove up to 221 kilometers per hour while filming himself, that the police found drugs in Northug's car.
The multiple world champion was sentenced to seven months in prison and has been serving a sentence in a treatment home that treats alcohol and drug addiction since February.
Northug says he has learned a lot in recent months.
- You get to know yourself.
For me, it has been a good school and a fantastic lesson.
I hart learned something that I wish I had learned a long time ago.
- It has been unusual.
I'm not used to talking about feelings or why things have turned out the way they did.
I have lived with tunnel vision where everything was about myself and to perform and be as good as possible.
"To the man Petter"
He says that he now understands why he made the choices he made in life.
- I realize how cynical and selfish I have been.
It was all about training and skiing, I could barely get in touch with.
I was very busy with myself.
But I have also realized that maybe that was what it took to be the best.
Now he hopes to be more honest both with himself and those around him,
- It might help me to switch from the top athlete Petter to the man Petter.
That transition is more difficult than many people think and it was difficult for me.
- I'm happy because I think I can have a more human view of the world now.
Cross-country skiing, however, must continue to take a large place in life.
- I hope to ski, be in shape and maybe run some races.
I am passionate about the sport that has taken me to where I am today.