The use of substances to promote athletic abilities and enhance sports performance is a common issue within the athletic field. There are a variety of substances that can be used for this short-term performance boost, but the risk of addiction and long-term effects should make you question if they are worth the small benefit. Using substances to help athletes through injury can also lead to a long-term addiction to the substance that persists long after the injury is healed.
Common Substances
There are a variety of performance-enhancing drugs and pain medications that are used as a crutch for athletes. Thefollowing substances are commonly used for these intended purposes.
- Alcohol
- 70-95% of college athletes report the use of alcohol within the last year.
- Anabolic Steroids
- 0.7-6.6% of high school athletes report the use of anabolic steroids within the last year.
- 9% of professional athletes report use within the last year.
- 67% of professional athletes and bodybuilders report the use of anabolic steroids at some point in their careers.
- Cannabis
- 28% of college athletes have reported use as a pain reliever within the last year.
- Opiates
- 52% of professional athletes have reported opiate use within the last year.
- Smokeless Tobacco
- 23% of college athletes have reported use within the last year.
- Stimulants
- 3% of college athletes have reported use within the last year.
By observing these statistics, the use of alcohol and opiates is extremely high for college athletes. As athletes reach a more professional level, the likelihood of them abusing steroids is drastically increased. These statistics show how major of a role substances can play within the athletic field.
The substances listed above, as well as other drugs not listed, are taken to build muscle, improve performance, and increase focus, endurance, and speed. Unfortunately, these benefits are overshadowed by their dangerous side effects and the risk of long-term addiction.
Risks of Performance Enhancers
- Anabolic Steroids
- Acne
- Muscle hypertrophy
- Altered libido
- Deepening of voice (female)
- Testicular atrophy (male)
- Increased glucose tolerance
- Elevated cholesterol
- Increased blood pressure
- Aggression
- Emotional instability
- HIV
- Creatine
- Weight gain
- Lack of water retention
- Diarrhea
- Gastrointestinal cramping
- Human Growth Hormones
- Diabetes
- Hepatitis
- Carpal tunnel
- Renal failure
- Stimulants
- Hypertension
- Weight loss
- Tremors
- Strokes
- Psychosis
These basic categories of Performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) all have major health risks. A large number of these risks are long-term irreversible health effects. While they may deliver desired results for a temporary period, the long-term effects can harm the body permanently.
Causes of PED Abuse
One major cause of the abuse of performance-enhancing drugs is body dysmorphia. Due to many athletes holding themselves to high physical and visual expectations, some may try to achieve the looks they desire through the use of substances. When some athletes find initial success in the use of these substances, they may be tempted to continue using them to work toward achieving and maintaining their desired results. The substance use then reaches an addictive state, increasing the chances of long-term negative effects.
Athletes will often continue to use these substances, thinking they are still far from their desired results, consistently pushing themselves toward better athletic performance, even though the performance enhancement is not from the genuine improvement of their skills, but from cheating through the use of substances. Ironically, many of the effects of consistent use of these substances can have counteracting effects on performance and eventually push athletes further from their athletic goals.
Recovering From PEDs
If you have fallen into the trap of using performance-enhancing drugs and feel that they are now necessary for your athletic performance, there are many practices you can implement into your recovery process. The following basic life practices can help you refrain from using these substances and feel energized without them.
- Train without the substance. If you find yourself using PEDs to improve your everyday training, strive to unlearn this behavior. Practice without their effects and find what your current athletic ability is on its own.
- Eat healthily. Maintaining adequate nutrition is essential to have energy levels high enough for peak athletics and ensure your body has what it needs to thrive.
- Maintain a healthy sleep schedule. Ensuring you get enough sleep every night and are well-rested for practice or performance the next day can eliminate the need for substances to increase your energy.
- Play safely. If you find you have an issue with using substances to either prevent injury or heal an injury, ensuring you listen to your body is extremely important. Avoid pushing your body past the limits and take the necessary precautions to heal on your own.
Engaging in these habits to create athletic success without the need for substances is a healthy practice to avoid substance dependence. Finding habits that improve your athletic performance naturally and informing yourself of the long-term risks from the use of these substances can help you avoid using them in the first place and reaching the point of addiction over time.
The use of performance-enhancing drugs to improve athletic abilities has become a common issue within the athletic field. While the substances may have a short-term benefit on your athletic ability, there are many long-term side effects to be concerned with. The use of these substances can cause your athletic performance to decline over a course of time and leave you with further health issues that may be irreversible. The common substances used for this matter and the potential risks involved with them are important to understand. Work to establish healthy alternative habits to improve your athletic performance without relying on the use of performance-enhancing drugs and developing the need for them to athletically perform. If you find you are struggling with addiction to or dependence on performance-enhancing drugs for athletic endeavors or daily functioning, reach out to Dream Recovery for assistance at (949) 732-1960.