Drug Abuse in Athletes

Why are athletes at such a high risk of abuse? Unfortunately, a list of factors exists. The reason why this is important is that only when we understand why addiction and abuse are so common in sports, van the issue be effectively dealt with. Therefore, in order to be fully equipped to combat substance abuse in athletes, it is crucial to identify all underlying causes.  Let us have a look at each factor leading to athletes’ addiction.

Pressure to perform

An athlete’s life revolves around the sports he/she plays and the eyes of spectators are always glaring at them like a hawk. This places them under extreme pressure which might get too much to bear. In order to cope with the pressure to perform and live up to expectations, athletes usually resort to drugs to enhance physical stamina. They want to be stronger than the rest. They want to run faster or lift heavier. They want to punch harder or hit farther. When their body naturally doesn’t allow them to push past the limit, they will start to force it to do this unnaturally. Once this works in their favor, they will do it one more time to experience the glory. And then again, and again. At this point, they have developed an addiction, and going back does not seem like an option.

Doing ‘whatever it takes’

When things get competitive, and the pressure gets overwhelming, athletes tend to develop a ‘whatever it takes attitude to outshine competitors. This attitude might blur their ability to logically assess harmful effects of substance abuse, and at that point in time, the only thing in focus is the will to achieve that nearly unrealistic standard of performance.  therefore, they turn to appearance and performance-enhancing drugs for help.

To deal with Mental Issues

Immense pressure during big or crucial performances such as finals can take a toll on their mental health.  Before such performances, one may face extreme anxiety, and if it ends in disappointment, the public pressure and loss of self-worth could also affect them mentally.  With so much pressure to perform well physically, sportsmen do not have the time to deal with mental issues. They cannot risk any emotional or mental baggage getting in the way of their performance. To cope with the issue, they resort to drugs to ease them mentally.

Painkillers and Opioid Addiction

Being an athlete means constant injuries and aches, to deal with which, drugs are prescribed. Painkiller abuse in athletes and addiction to opioids is one of the most common causes of drug abuse in sports. Athletes do not want to let any weakness get in the way of victory. This weakness includes pain and injury. This is a common occurrence in sports and therefore it is not surprising that athletes will do whatever they can not to feel the pain. Opioids are a common prescription drug but mostly are used even without a prescription. Addiction to opioids is thus very common with leads to abuse of drugs such as Heroin.

Painkillers Addiction Executive Rehab and Treatment

A study conducted in 2009 regarding NFL players shows that 52% of the players used opioids during their careers. It has also been found that there has been an increased use of nonmedical use of prescription opioids within young athletes

 Even team coaches encourage players to use them. Coaches have invested time and effort, usually spending most time trying to train a potential hero that might make them proud one day. They do not hesitate to cross a few lines just to see that dream come to life. This leads to the drug use being validated by the coaches and makes athletes vulnerable to addiction.

Vulnerability in Young Athletes

Young athletes, in particular, are at risk when they observe seniors and coaches having a laid-back, in fact, encouraging, attitude towards such drugs. The stigma around it vanishes and young athletes start consuming and abusing drugs. Success in sports is a symbol of prestige and honor amongst high school students. To do well and to kickstart their professional careers or make a name on their high school team, young athletes are prone to resort to drugs. Let’s not ignore the fact that peer pressure is extremely high in teenagers, and just to maintain a certain image, or to ‘fit in’, it is not surprising that adolescents start to abuse drugs. 

Even in school kids, if there is any sports-related injury, they are likely to get an opioid prescription, which could act as a stepping stone for opioid addiction. 

A Boost of Energy

Drugs are also used to boost energy and act as a stimulant. Being an athlete means having a good reserve of energy. The energy that will help you last and succeed better than an average person. Stimulants increase alertness and decrease fatigue.  Unrealistically high energy and stamina needed during vigorous sports is another reason athletes start substance abuse.

The ‘Perfect Body’

Another reason for addiction in athletes is the constant struggle to fit into the image of a ‘perfect’ athletic body. Athletes will use drugs either to gain or lose weight in order to get their bodies to look a certain way. Athletes have a professional image to protect in sports, but that image is not limited to just that. They must also keep up with their physical image and have a body that fits the stereotypes of what kind of a body is needed for that particular sport. Athletes may have to drastically lose weight to achieve this body one may have to gain considerable weight, to look strong and buff for their particular sports. For the body to look good externally, they are willing to damage it internally.

Availability and Legality

Drugs are easily available and are legal. This means nothing is holding athletes back from using them. This common use leads to addiction too. Athletes find it to be a quick fix to any issue they are facing in performance, and feel like they can easily achieve their goal just by using drugs. Getting drugs such as opioids easily prescribed, or even being able to get them without any prescription makes it easy to get addicted. The stigma around drug use has gone soft and people now readily accept drugs as part of leisure and fun. This removes any doubt or moral hesitation a person might have and makes athletes readily abuse drugs. Most drugs are now considered legal and therefore, easy to use with a high risk of abuse. Since drugs have become so common, an athlete might decide to try them out just once or twice for leisure or under pressure. What they initially plan to be a one-time use has a profound potential of ending up in a long, life-threatening addiction.

Dealing with loss or emotions

To deal with loss and emotional pain, athletes may start to abuse drugs in order to cope and not let their mental state hinder their performance. As mentioned earlier, in July 2021, an American female sprinter was suspended from the Tokyo Olympics because she tested positive for marijuana. The athlete used drugs to deal with the loss of her biological mother.

Through their prime years, they follow such a rigorous lifestyle that they do not have time to mourn a loss or give heed to emotions. At the end of the day, they are still human, and shaking off such feelings can prove to be quite difficult. Therefore, they turn to drugs to help them overcome their feelings and emotions, so they can be clear-headed during their performance.