Substance Abuse in Sports
More than 30% of student-athletes develop alcohol addictions. Another 20% of student-athletes have admitted to using marijuana. There are several reasons why athletes may turn to drugs. These reasons include enhanced performance, dealing with pressure, dealing with mental health, and more. In this article, alcohol is considered to be a drug. However, other sources may consider alcohol to be a separate category from drugs.
What is Substance Abuse?
Substance Abuse is the excessive use of a drug in a way that creates a physical and psychological dependence. Physical dependence is the altered state in which withdrawal symptoms develop when a drug is no longer used. Psychological dependence is a feeling of need to take a drug when physical dependence is absent.
Reasons Why Athletes Abuse Drugs:
Enhancing athletic performance: Pressure to do well can cause athletes to turn to steroids for competitive advantages. This is also called doping and can lead to serious health risks.
Recovery from Injuries: Athletes can receive certain painkillers to aid in the recovery process from injuries. However, this can also lead to an addiction.
Mental Health: Athletes are less likely to receive mental treatment after an injury, some athletes may use drugs or alcohol to self-medicate.
Coping with Pressure: Athletes face immense pressure to do well in competitions, recover quickly from injuries, and improve performance. To cope with the pressure, some athletes may turn to drugs or alcohol.
Accessibility and History: Athletes with a family background affiliated with substance abuse increase the likelihood of the athlete following that pattern.
The Most Common Drugs found in Sports:
Anabolic steroids: These drugs are typically used because they can cause rapid hypertrophy. High doses can create larger muscles and increase body mass.
Diuretics: These drugs are used as a way to lose weight quickly. Athletes may use this to go down a weight class in competitions.
Adderall: This drug is known to increase attention and reaction time. Typically, it is used to treat ADHD, but some athletes may use it to gain an advantage in competition.
Effects of Substance Abuse on Athletes:
Drugs and alcohol have a heavy impact on decision-making skills, coordination, reflexes, concentration, etc. While steroids can initially increase performance, in reality, they cause a strain on tendons because the muscle is growing too quickly. Disappointment in performance can create a cycle in which the athlete will turn to drugs as a coping mechanism.
Substance abuse can cause a strain on their relationships with the people around them, such as their coaches and teammates. Drugs cause the person to be irritated and unpredictable, making it hard to maintain a healthy relationship with the people around them.
Not only does substance abuse cause physical and psychological damage, but it also puts the athlete’s career at risk. Legal action will be taken if illicit substances are found on an athlete. Fines and suspension from the sport can also be imposed on the athlete.
Health Impacts of Drugs:
Steroids can end up weakening athlete performance and increasing the risk of injury. Because of a rapid increase in muscle mass, tendons face overwhelming strain leading to increased risks of tendon ruptures and other injuries.
Other health risks include liver damage, cardiovascular issues, and weakened immune systems.
Cardiovascular Issues: Heart attack, stroke
Respiratory Issues: Pulmonary hypertension
Cognitive Issues: Memory loss
Digestive Issues: Bowel obstruction, constipation
Mental Health Issues: Depression, anxiety
Some Athletes Who Have Abused Drugs:
Athletes who have passed because of Drug Abuse
Derek Boogaard, Hockey: Alcohol and Prescription Drugs
Andy Irons, Surfing: Prescription Drugs
Eugene Lipscomb: Football, Heroin
David Croudip: Football, Cocaine
Athletes who have successfully overcome addiction
Darryl Strawberry, Baseball: Cocaine and Alcohol
Michael Phelps, Swimming: Alcohol
Ryan Leaf, Football: Alcohol and Prescription Drugs
Andre Agassi, Tennis: Crystal Meth
Treatment/Prevention:
Education and Awareness: Coaches and teammates should have a session to discuss addiction and prevention
Counseling and Therapy: Professional advice and assistance can help find the underlying issues with drug abuse. This can help develop healthier coping mechanisms and help recognize if there are bigger problems at risk.
Rehabilitation Programs: These programs offer extensive treatment and assistance if an athlete is seriously addicted.
Monitoring and Aftercare: After rehabilitation, athletes should still have a healthy environment and a strong support team in case of relapsing.
Conclusion:
Drug abuse and alcohol have a serious impact on an athlete’s career and overall health. Abuse can lead to serious consequences such as impacted performance, other mental illnesses, and severe health impacts. Athletes are put under tons of pressure to do well in competitions or recover quickly from injuries, causing their mental health to be sometimes overlooked. They may turn to drugs and alcohol as a form of coping. There should always be a healthy environment and a strong support team when an athlete needs help. Treatment is available through therapy or rehabilitation programs.
Sources:
Griffin, John B. Substance Abuse - Clinical Methods - NCBI Bookshelf, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK319/.
Guarnotta, Emily. “Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Athletes.” Recovery.Org, 15 Dec. 2023, www.recovery.org/addiction/athletes/.
“Mind, Body and Sport: Substance Use and Abuse.” NCAA.Org, www.ncaa.org/sports/2014/11/4/mind-body-and-sport-substance-use-and-abuse.aspx.
“The Psychological Impact of Substance Abuse on Athletes.” Sporting Bounce, 9 Nov. 2023, www.sportingbounce.com/blog/the-psychological-impact-of-substance-abuse-on-athletes.
The Recovery Village. “Exploring the Connection between Athletes and Substance Abuse.” The Recovery Village Drug and Alcohol Rehab, 9 May 2023, www.therecoveryvillage.com/drug-addiction/athletes-and-addiction/.