Substance Abuse in Sport and Athletes | Reasons for addiction to sports (2023)

Athletes have been in the news from time to time for substance abuse. The pressure placed on athletes and even coaches can be a heavy burden, easily leading them to resort to substance abuse to achieve what they have worked so hard to achieve. Recently, the American SprinterSha'Carri Richardsontested positive onMarihuanaduring the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and was banned for a month. Many other renowned athletes such as Maradona, Sharapova and Michael Phelps have had substance abuse problems.

In this blog we will discuss drug abuse in sports. The reasons for this are examined in detail. We will also highlight the medications most commonly used by athletes along with the symptoms and side effects of substance abuse.

Why are athletes at such a high risk of abuse? Unfortunately, there is a list of factors. This is because the problem can only be effectively addressed when we understand why addiction and abuse are so prevalent in sport. Therefore, in order to comprehensively combat drug abuse in athletes, it is crucial to identify all underlying causes. Let's take a look at each factor that leads to athlete addiction.

pressure to perform

The life of an athlete revolves around the sport they play and the eyes of the spectators are always watching them like a hawk. This puts them under extreme pressure that may be too much to handle. In order to cope with the pressure to perform and to meet expectations, athletes often resort to endurance-enhancing drugs. You want to be stronger than others. You want to run faster or lift more weight. You want to hit harder or hit further. When your body doesn't naturally allow them to cross the line, they begin to force you to do so in unnatural ways. Once this works in their favor, they will do it again for glory. And then again and again. By this point, they've developed an addiction and going back doesn't seem like an option.

Do whatever it takes

When push comes to shove and the pressure becomes overwhelming, athletes tend to develop an “anything it takes to outshine the competition” attitude. This attitude can cloud your ability to logically assess the harmful effects of substance abuse, and at this point all that matters is the will to meet that almost unrealistic standard of performance. Therefore, they turn to medications that improve appearance and performance for help.

To treat mental health problems

The intense pressure of making big or crucial presentations like final exams can affect your mental health. One can face extreme anxiety before these performances, and when it ends in disappointment, pressure from the audience and loss of self-esteem can also affect them mentally. With so much pressure to perform physically, athletes don't have time to deal with mental issues. They cannot risk emotional or mental baggage getting in the way of their performance. To deal with the problem, they turn to drugs to calm their minds.

Analgesics and opioid addiction

Being an athlete means constant injuries and pain that drugs are prescribed to treat. Analgesic abuse in athletes and opioid addiction is one of the most common causes of drug abuse in sports. Athletes don't want to let weaknesses stand in the way of victory. This weakness includes pain and injury. This is common in sports, so it's not surprising that athletes go to great lengths to avoid feeling the pain. Opioids are common prescription drugs, but most people also take them without a prescription. Opiate addiction is therefore widespread and leads to the abuse of drugs such as heroin.

Rehabilitation and executive treatment of analgesic dependence

Ato studyA 2009 study of NFL players shows that 52% of players have used opioids during their career. It was also found that non-medical use of prescription opioids was increasing among young athletes.

Even team coaches encourage players to use them. Trainers have invested time and effort, often spending the majority of their time training a potential hero they can one day be proud of. They don't hesitate to push a few boundaries just to see that dream come true. This makes drug use validated by coaches and athletes vulnerable to addiction.

vulnerability in young athletes

Young athletes in particular are at risk if they feel older adults and coaches have relaxed, even encouraging, attitudes towards these drugs. The stigma associated with it is disappearing and young athletes are beginning to use and abuse drugs. Success in sport is a symbol of prestige and honor among high school students. Young athletes turn to drugs to be successful and launch their professional careers or make their mark on the high school team. Let's not ignore the fact that peer pressure on teenagers is extremely high, and just to maintain a certain image or "fit in" it's not surprising that teenagers start abusing drugs.

Even school-age children are likely to be prescribed opioids for sports-related injuries, which can serve as a stepping stone to opioid addiction.

an energy boost

Drugs are also used to increase energy and act as stimulants. Being an athlete means having a good energy reserve. The energy that will help you persevere and be more successful than the average person. Stimulants increase alertness and reduce fatigue. The incredibly high energy and endurance required during intense sports is another reason athletes turn to substance abuse.

The perfect body'

Another reason for addiction to athletes is the constant struggle to live up to the image of a "perfect" athletic body. Athletes use drugs to gain or lose weight to give their bodies a specific look. Athletes have a professional image to protect in sport, but that image is not limited to that. They must also maintain their physical appearance and have a body that conforms to the stereotypes of what body type is required for that particular sport. Athletes may need to drastically lose weight to achieve this physique, it may be necessary to gain significant weight to look strong and enjoy their specific sports. To make the body look good on the outside, they are ready to harm it on the inside.

Availability and Legality

Drugs are readily available and legal. This means that nothing prevents athletes from using them. This joint use also leads to addiction. Athletes find it a quick fix to any performance issue they face and feel like they can easily achieve their goal simply by taking medication. Getting drugs like easily prescription opiates, or even getting them without a prescription, makes it easier to become addicted. The stigma of drug use has diminished and people now readily accept drugs as part of leisure and entertainment. This removes any moral doubts or concerns a person might have and makes it easier for athletes to abuse drugs. Most drugs are now considered legal and therefore easy to use, with a high risk of abuse. Because drugs have become so commonplace, an athlete may choose to only try them once or twice for pleasure or under pressure. What they originally plan to use as a one-off has tremendous potential to result in a long-lasting and life-threatening addiction.

Dealing with loss or emotions

To cope with pain and emotional loss, athletes may start abusing coping drugs and not letting their mental state get in the way of their performance. As mentioned above, in July 2021, an American sprinter was suspended from the Tokyo Olympics for testing positive for marijuana. The athlete took drugs to cope with the loss of her birth mother.

In their early years, they lead such a strict lifestyle that they do not have time to mourn a loss or pay attention to emotions. At the end of the day, they are still human and it can be quite difficult to let go of those feelings. Therefore, they turn to drugs to overcome their feelings and emotions so that they can remain lucid during the performance.

Now let's take a look at the common types of medications used by athletes and how they can harm the athlete.

opioids and heroin

As previously mentioned, opioids are very common as they act as pain relievers and are not only readily available but also require a prescription. Opioids are highly addictive, and side effects include constipation, nausea, and severe breathing problems. Those who become dependent on painkillers are also likely to start using heroin. FORbaseball playerhe once became addicted to OxyContin and this led him to heroin abuse. Heroin addiction proved fatal when he died of an overdose.

The US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration reveals that 80% of users turn to heroin after abusing opioid pain relievers such as OxyContin, Percocet and Vicodin.

anabolic steroids

Anabolic steroids are common performance-enhancing drugs used to look muscular, but they can have devastating side effects. Given what this drug can help athletes, it is very popular in sports. They can lead to hormonal problems such as lack of menstruation in women and breast development in men. many other problems can arise from the use of anabolic steroids. It has some reversible side effects, but some are permanent.

Anabolic steroid addiction and side effects

Here is a list of possible side effects in both men and women:

• mood swings
• Mania
• Depression
• hallucinations
• attack
• Acne
• High cholesterol
• nosebleeds
• hair loss/baldness
• fertility problems
• fluid retention and swelling
• high blood pressure
• Cardiovascular problems (eg, enlarged heart, heart attack, and blood clotting)
• liver tumors
• liver cancer
• Problems arising from the use of injections (eg, skin infections, transmission of HIV and hepatitis)

Adderall (amphetamine) and other stimulant abuse in athletes

Drugs like cocaine, methylphenidate, D-methamphetamine, etc. are used as stimulants to increase energy. The long-term effects of these drugs include cardiac arrest, tremors, and even death.

Amphetamines like Adderall are a common prescription drug for ADHD and are used by athletes for a variety of reasons, including increased reaction time, increased endurance, and improved strength. On a day when athletes are feeling down, Adderall is often used to bring them back.

High school athletes and young players are likely to use this drug because it gives the user a "high" feeling. It offers a shock of extreme pleasure that addicts want to experience again and again.

Common side effects include trouble sleeping, mood swings, and anxiety. Withdrawal symptoms seem to be more of a concern. Nausea, vomiting, and muscle cramps are common when someone tries to abstain from the drug. It also leads to depression, which in turn can lead to suicidal thoughts.

Efedra (mahuang)

This is a Chinese medicine used to treat lung problems. However, when it reached the United States, it was sold as a weight loss and energy boosting drug. At a low dose, side effects include increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, seizures, hepatitis, psychosis, stroke, damage to the heart muscle, etc. In extreme cases, death is also a likely result.

Other Recreational Drugs

To increase performance, athletes consume alcohol, cannabinoids, narcotics and nicotine. Alcohol is only banned in very few competitions. In an attempt to relieve anxiety, athletes can use these drugs. There is little evidence that these drugs actually improve performance. Narcotics relieve pain. Nicotine can help with weight loss and improve concentration.

Athletes remain silent on addiction issues because they don't want to ruin their reputation. Because of this, the problems are not usually recognized at an earlier stage, leading to drastic results when the person eventually discovers they have a drug problem. Sometimes it's too late to save their lives. This unfortunate fate can be largely avoided if athletes' friends and family are on the lookout for symptoms that suggest a drug problem.

Becoming an addict causes some physical and behavioral changes in the person. These changes are not easy to hide and are easily identified by loved ones. Catching the problem before it spirals out of control can save lives and careers.

Also read:Executive rehabilitation for inpatients with dual diagnosis

Lying and hiding are usually some of the most common signs. They might lie to you about stopping drug abuse or never doing drugs. Regular drunkenness is another obvious sign. These symptoms can occur along with social distancing and silence.

Their social activities may begin to revolve around drugs and they may begin to engage in unsafe and risky sexual activities. They also start getting bad grades or performing poorly at work. As an athlete, this obviously affects your performance and you stop being as good as you used to be.

Memory loss and fainting spells are also an indication of your drug addiction. Mood swings accompanied by a playful and irritable attitude can also be a sign. Their drug tolerance would increase and they could now consume a greater amount of drugs. Soon their ability to think rationally diminishes and they are unable to control their consumption.

A coach is able to spot when a player starts acting strangely. He/she can confront the athlete immediately before he/she gets out of control.

As seen so far, there are many reasons and temptations to lure athletes into the drug trap. Many notable names have been given.

Lance Armstrong

The famous cyclist was accused of drug abuse for 12 years, during which time he won multiple titles. He and his teammates used PEDs. USMessagegives details of Armstrong's allegations.

Maria Sharapova

A spectacular tennis star has tested positive for Meldoniumfailed a drug test in 2016, a performance-enhancing drug. When this information was released, Sharapova's reputation took a bit of a hit and many big brands and companies like Nike stopped supporting her.

Michael Phelps

The 18-time Olympic champion wasSwimming ban for 6 monthsafter his second DUI arrest. Phelps enrolled in a 6-week rehab program to focus on his alcohol addiction. His photos of him smoking weed on a bong have also been leaked.

Lamar Odom

The former NBA basketball player had onestrong dependencycocaine and other substances. He spent 4 days in a coma after being found unconscious in a Nevada brothel in 2015.

Diego Maradona

The legendary footballer has tested positive for the banned ephedrine. FIFA also discovered other banned substances such as phenylpropanolamine, pseudoephedrine, non-pseudoephedrine and methylephedrine. As a result, Maradona was banned for 15 months. 1991,Cocaine has been found in your systemin Italy and was suspended for another 15 months.

Andre Agassi

The tennis player developed a methamphetamine addiction and even tried to cover it up by lying to tennis authorities and failing a drug test in 1997. Agassi battled addiction and ended a Grand Slam career.

For some athletes, addiction has led to death and the end of the careers they risked their lives for.

The social stigma associated with admitting that you need help can make it difficult for addicts to get the support they need. Athletes in particular want to avoid the headlines about therapies. They fear risking their reputation and career. The shame of being an addict or the struggles of being one can be too much to handle. Therefore, they ignore the problems they face or try to solve them themselves. That does more harm than good. Withdrawal symptoms can often be worse than the side effects and need to be treated professionally. Stopping certain medications suddenly can be harmful and can be fatal or suicidal.

Therefore, it is highly recommended and encouraged that you consult a professional and openly discuss your issues. Once you show readiness, you will be presented with many options to help you deal with the problem. Whether you're confiding in a friend, loved one, coach, or teammate, remember it's important to talk about it. Silence and suffering alone is not the solution. You will not be judged; You will not suffer retribution. In fact, you will see the warmth and support that society has to offer. Privacy is respected and patients are our top priority. Therefore, consult a treatment provider and explore your treatment options. Find what suits you best and start your journey back to life. Let's get addicted to recovery, not drugs!

What factors promote drug use in athletes?

What drugs are allowed in sports?

How do medications affect athletic performance?

What are the negative effects of drugs in sports?

Substance abuse can affect a healthy mind and body. Side effects include:
• palpitations.
• cardiac arrhythmias.
• weight loss.
• Tremble.
• Mild high blood pressure
• hallucinations.
• Attack.
• Heart attack and other circulatory problems
• And until death

Dependency and addiction lead to inability to function without drug use and can have devastating consequences in the long run. In some cases, withdrawal symptoms can be extreme.

How can the use of performance-enhancing drugs in professional sports be stopped?

Strict laws and rules must be enforced by sporting event organizers and strict compliance with these rules must be ensured. All players must undergo regular testing and screening before competitive matches. Coaches must be warned not to allow players to use over-the-counter drugs. Analgesics should only be administered as prescribed and dosage should be closely monitored.

Educational campaigns must be launched to condemn drug use and fight addiction. A sports psychologist must be available to players and athletes.