Athletes face unique pressure, and many deal with drug or alcohol addiction as a result. Substance use and misuse occurs among athletes of all levels, including both professional and amateur athletes. 

Anabolic Steroids 

Anabolic steroids mimic the effects of testosterone, so they are often used as a performance-enhancing drug among athletes. 

Steroids aren’t addictive in the sense that they cause euphoria, but they do carry a risk of dependency. This means that an athlete’s brain and body can get used to the changes that steroids create. When the body adapts, it can be difficult to return to the lifestyle you lived before using steroids. 

Alcohol 

Alcohol abuse is particularly common among college-aged athletes. Collegiate athletes face many of the same stressors as other college students. However, they may experience a higher risk of alcohol abuse, because they experience additional pressures from games, practice, and conditioning. 

Opioids and Opiates 

In a 2014 study, a large number of professional football players reported misusing opiate drugs. 

Opioids and opiates are drugs that relieve pain, so it makes sense that professional athletes, who are at a higher risk of injury than most people, would be prescribed these drugs in high numbers. 

Not every person who is prescribed opioids will develop a substance use disorder. If you have been prescribed opioids for a short period of time, and you take them as directed by your doctor, then you are not misusing these drugs. 

However, opioids do have a high potential for abuse that athletes should be aware of. In addition to relieving pain, they also cause an intense euphoria that can become addictive.

If you’ve experienced an injury and have a history of substance abuse, or if substance misuse runs in your family, tell your doctor. They may prescribe a non-addictive alternative for pain management. 

Tobacco Products 

While tobacco itself is not particularly addictive, many tobacco-containing products also contain nicotine. Nicotine is what makes tobacco products, such as cigarettes and chewing tobacco, habit-forming and difficult to quit. 

According to the study mentioned above, baseball players use tobacco products at higher rates than other athletes. 

These products can cause health concerns such as cancer, heart disease, lung disease, and several others. 

How to Get Addiction Help 

Your performance as an athlete depends on your physical health, and substance abuse often results in long-term health challenges. 

For example, stimulants, which may seem to enhance performance in the short term, can cause your performance as an athlete to suffer over time. 

Fortunately, help for drug addiction is available. You might start by talking to your sports physician or primary care doctor about your concerns. They can refer you to an addiction facility, medical detox center, or another treatment service. 

You can also look for addiction treatment programs near where you live. Many of these programs offer personalized services, which means that you can tell your providers about your specific concerns as an athlete. Some programs even offer amenities such as gyms. 

If you experience drug addiction as an athlete, you are far from alone. The right treatment can help you overcome substance abuse and take charge of your health.