How To Help An Athlete With Addiction

How to Prevent Drug Abuse and Addiction in Sports

Addiction is treatable, whether an athlete is struggling with opioid addiction or abusing performance-enhancing drugs. Some pro athletes recovering from addiction share their stories with others to prove that recovery is always within reach, but that’s only the beginning of recovery. Treatment for addiction usually involves:

• One-on-one therapy.
• Group therapy.
• Support from friends and family.
• Medication to help with a co-occurring disorder or withdrawal symptoms.

The first step to recovery, however, is recognizing that there is a problem. Oftentimes, this process is extremely difficult, as recognizing and admitting you have a problem with performance-enhancing drugs can be emotionally challenging. If you suspect someone you love is struggling with an addiction, learn how to identify the signs so that you can give them the support they need.

Warning Signs an Athlete Is Using Drugs

No parent, teammate or coach wants to think that an athlete they know is using drugs. However, the earlier you recognize the signs of drug abuse in athletes, the better the outcome is likely to be. Substance abuse can affect athletes of all ages, but there is hope for recovery with the help of a strong support system and proper treatment. In many cases, that support starts with the athlete’s parents and other family members.

Young adult athletes are particularly vulnerable to drug abuse, perhaps because their peers and role models can easily influence them. According to one study, more than 1 in 4 people aged 16 to 25 know someone who has used performance-enhancing drugs. Those who do are 6 to 8 times more likely to use than those who don’t. Even the prominence of drugs and athletes in films and music can affect the desires and actions of young people.

An athlete you know might be experimenting with drugs because of peer pressure or to cope with stress, depression or other factors. They may feel that performance-enhancing substances will guarantee success or earn them the respect and love of the people around them, no matter the cost. Sometimes, however, athletes using performance-enhancing substances are just not aware of the dangers of drug use, and it’s the responsibility of teammates, coaches and family members to educate them.

Physical Symptoms of Drug Addiction

Those struggling with addiction often display observable warning signs that manifest physically. While these signs will vary based on the drug being used, they may include:

• Altered mood or personality.
• Altered perception.
• Intense relaxation and/or euphoria.
• Extreme muscle gain.
• Expressing tolerance to a drug.
• Withdrawal symptoms, such as joint pain, muscle aches, insomnia, weight loss, depression, headaches, abdominal pain, trembling, sweating or vomiting.

Some of these symptoms may be the result of other health conditions or personal challenges, but if you notice multiple symptoms compounding, your loved one may be struggling with a substance use disorder. Consulting with a health care professional can help clarify whether the symptoms they are experiencing are due to a substance use disorder.

Behavioral Symptoms of Drug Addiction

The first step in helping someone struggling with substances is to learn what to look out for. In many cases, you’ll observe a change in social behavior or personality as a result of drug use. Some of the most common signs of drug use are:

• Changes in friends.
• A decline in academic or athletic performance.
• Changes in hygiene, appearance and eating or sleeping habits.
• Relationship issues with friends and family.
• Minimizing negative consequences and continuing to use substances.
• Lying or stealing.
• A loss of interest in favorite activities.
• A loss of control.
• Taking unnecessary risks.
• Neglecting school or work responsibilities.
• Secretive behavior.
• Complaining about withdrawal symptoms.

Drug Addiction Risk Factors

Some athletes might be especially impressionable when it comes to doping. An athlete you know may be at risk for doping if they:

• Experience low self-esteem.
• Feel a pressure to be perfect.
• Are involved in weightlifting, endurance or speed sports.
• Bend the rules.
• Admire athletes who have doped.
• Do not think doping is harmful.
• Are driven to achieve results.
• Are concerned about body image and weight.
• Are impatient when it comes to obtaining results.
• Believe others are doping.
• Have a family history of drug abuse.

If you are concerned that someone you know is doping, do not be afraid to voice your concerns and speak honestly with them. You should also make sure to reach out to a professional for help. 

An athlete’s circumstances can also have an enormous impact on their health and decision-making. They may be especially vulnerable to doping if they have:

• Recently been injured.
• Experienced failure recently.
• Overtrained or are overtraining.
• Gone through a stressful life event or transition recently.
• A lack of resources or knowledge about the consequences of doping.
• Gone through a change in environment or level.
• An internal pressure to perform well.
• Relationship issues with parents, peers or others.
• Upcoming events, like important competitions.

Treating an Addiction to Performance-Enhancing Drugs

For some athletes, the first step to discontinuing drug use is overcoming the fear of asking for help. This is a powerful fear that is often reinforced by the guilt and embarrassment many athletes feel about their steroid use. One study found that only 37.12% of androgenic-anabolic steroid users have told their doctor about their use, despite the significant impact steroids can have on all aspects of physical health.

The recommended treatment for steroid use addresses the underlying causes for use and typically includes:

• Therapy for muscle dysmorphia.
• Endocrine therapies.
• Antidepressants.
• A supervised detox program.
• Medications, including clonidine, synthetic hormones, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antidepressants.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy.
• Weekly meetings with therapists, other people in recovery and family members.

These treatments have already helped thousands recover from substance use disorder. That said, not every treatment method has the same effect on every person seeking treatment. Speak with a health professional to learn the best treatment options for you or your loved one.

As we discussed earlier, some individuals use stimulants to enhance performance. They might use anything from energy drinks to cocaine to achieve this effect, and treatment can vary based on the stimulant being used. That said, athletes with a stimulant addiction can typically expect treatment to include the following aspects:

• A detox from the stimulant in question, which usually lasts a week or more
• A stay in an inpatient rehabilitation center for 30 to 90 days and/or an outpatient program over a longer period
• Behavioral counseling
• Treatment for co-occurring disorders, such as depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder
• Long-term follow-up from health care professionals
• Medication, such as Prozac and naltrexone
• Group support from family members and others in recovery

Holding an Intervention for Athletes With Addictions

Substance use disorders can be extremely difficult to overcome, especially when stimulants or performance-enhancing drugs are involved. Athletes may feel that success and acceptance are impossible without these substances and struggle to give them up. If an athlete you know is struggling with an addiction and refuses to give it up despite the harm it is causing to them and the people around them, an intervention can help them break through the fog and know that those around them know, love and support them.

An intervention is a planned confrontation between the individual struggling with addiction and their family, friends and teammates. A health care professional or interventionist should also supervise the intervention to ensure proper procedures are followed and that everyone involved is safe. The goal of the intervention is to show the person the harm they’ve caused to themselves and those around them and encourage them to seek treatment.

This process is risky but can be extremely beneficial, and as such, it should be approached with care. If you are considering an intervention, make sure to adhere to the following guidelines:

• Partner with a select group of loved ones and health professionals to plan the intervention.
• Gather information about the individual’s symptoms and potential treatment options.
• Decide which team members will participate in the intervention.
• Decide what procedures will be followed should the individual reject treatment.
• Take notes on specific incidents that caused harm to each team member or the individual themselves.
• Hold the actual intervention in a compassionate but firm manner.
• Support the individual throughout the treatment process.

While no intervention is guaranteed to be effective, they can make a serious difference in the life of an athlete. During the planning process, you should consider the athlete’s circumstances. If they are under a tremendous amount of pressure to perform at an upcoming event or are struggling with mental illness, you and your team need to acknowledge and address these pressures. Consider the athlete’s obligations during the planning stage and try to fit the intervention into a space that won’t impede training and upcoming competitions.

Steps to Preventing Performance-Enhancing Substance Use and Addiction

Professional athletes hold tremendous sway over popular culture and even our perception of substances. For example, 77% of males surveyed in one study said steroid use in professional sports puts pressure on young athletes to follow suit. Eighty-five percent of young people have never even had an authority figure or someone they look up to talk to them about performance-enhancing drugs.

The steps below can counteract that influence and protect athletes of all ages from substance abuse.

Educate

Many athletes use substances without knowing about the severe consequences that come with them. Education — whether from parents, coaches or fellow teammates — can equip these athletes with knowledge that can protect them from addiction. 

Explain the harmful side effects that come with steroid and stimulant use, and tell athletes what to look out for in their peers so they can protect each other from addiction. Tell them doping is a form of cheating and can result in suspensions and bans from competition.

Advocate

Athletes of all ages need to know what is possible without the use of performance-enhancing substances. Discuss sustainable, healthy ways to succeed in training and sports, and show that athletes do not need drugs to be successful. For example, you might tell them the story of steroid-free track and field athletes who have broken records set by athletes who doped during the Cold War through training and dedication.

Encourage athletes to do their best under their own power, and speak with coaches and other authority figures about setting up a zero-tolerance drug policy. This way, athletes are both supported in themselves and directed toward ethical training methods by others.

Communicate

Clear, consistent communication is a vital part of any support system. If an athlete you know is struggling to perform or feels they’ve fallen short, let them know that they are enough and can get better in the future. Make a space for them to share their feelings and troubles so that they don’t feel the need to use substances to win love and attention.

Partner with coaches and other authority figures to support the athletes around you and spot signs of addiction. Supplement and medication use should also be monitored.

Get Help for Addiction Today

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, there is a way out. Athletes around the world have long struggled with the same issues, and many have also found healing and freedom from them. You, too, can be an athlete in recovery. But the first step is admitting that there is a problem.

Take that first step with Tranquil Shores. We are a private rehabilitation center in Tampa Bay, Florida, that offers personalized treatment for each of our clients. From medical detox and family therapy to our own Integrative Recovery Model, we have a variety of treatment methods that can be tailored to meet your exact needs or those of someone you love.

Ready to Reclaim Your Life?

We are ready to help. Call Tranquil Shores at 727-391-7001 or Toll Free at 877-566-1166, or fill out our contact form.

Our Success Stories

Your recovery is our main priority. Explore our testimonials and success stories to learn more.