Sports and Substance Abuse
Sports have long been touted as a way to prevent teenagers from using drugs and/or alcohol at a young age. However, recent studies indicate that sports participation may actually increase the risk of substance abuse in some teenagers.1,2 While performance enhancing drugs are part of the problem, participation in some sports is correlated with higher rates of alcohol consumption and illicit drug use, especially marijuana.1
Considering this information, parents should be aware of the risks and warning signs for teenage substance abuse as it relates to sports participation, as well as where to get help if they believe their child has a problem with substance abuse.
A Surprising Correlation
Historically, many parents have held the belief that getting a son or daughter into sports will give them an activity to occupy their time, promote physical fitness and health, and keep them away from negative peer influences. However, some research indicates that sports may actually increase the likelihood that some teens will use drugs.1
That said, it is important to note that each teenager is different, and that this information does not mean that sports participation is a negative influence for all teenagers in all situations. Rather, it simply means that parents should be aware of risk factors and warning signs that a teenager could abuse substances while participating in athletic programs.
Risk Factors
In addition to these stressors, athletes are under pressure to perform athletically, perhaps well enough to earn a college scholarship. Athletes often have more time constraints due to practices and games, which can make it difficult for them to keep up with schoolwork. The additional pressures of sports participation may be too much for some teen athletes, who turn to alcohol and other drugs as a coping mechanism.1
In some cases, teen athletes may start using performance enhancing drugs such as growth hormones, steroids, or certain types of stimulants to try to gain an edge on the competition.3 Other athletes may abuse opioids or other medications to cope with pain from injuries.4
One of the most noted risk factors is the correlation of high-contact sports—such as football, ice hockey, wrestling, and lacrosse—with higher levels of alcohol and marijuana use, both in high school and into young adulthood.1,2 Researchers believe this may be because these sports socialize youth to accept pain, violence, and risk as normal within the context of the sport, which may influence risky behavior both on and off the field.1
One study found that high school athletes across all sports were more likely than non-athletes to engage in drug and alcohol use in young adulthood, suggesting that participation in any sport is a risk factor.1
How to Help
Parents may wonder how to spot the signs that their teen is under a great deal of pressure, feeling stressed, and at risk for developing substance abuse issues. While a little stress is normal and even healthy for teenagers, signs of excessive stress can include: 5
- Acting irritated and angry.
- Crying spells.
- Withdrawing from people and regular activities.
- Sleeping too much, or having trouble sleeping.
- Frequent worrying.
- Changes in eating habits.
- Experiencing frequent headaches or stomachaches.
- Seeming exhausted and without energy.
Some proactive steps to take include: 5
From Pain Management to Addiction
Opioid abuse is a potential concern for athletes of all ages, as these drugs are frequently prescribed (or taken illicitly) to manage pain from injuries sustained in competitive sports.
Some college and professional athletes have publicly spoken out about becoming addicted to opioid painkillers after an injury. The pressure to perform comes into play here, as injured athletes who don’t want to sit out of competition may take opioids to allow themselves to play through the pain before their injury has fully healed.4
Around 2 million injuries occur each year in high school sports, and about 1/4 of all emergency room visits by children and adolescents are due to a sports-related injury.4
They are also more likely to misuse an opioid prescription (taking the drug in greater quantity or more frequent doses than prescribed) or without a prescription at all.4 Opioids may be provided by coaches or trainers without consulting the athlete’s personal physician, or teens may obtain the drugs themselves from teammates or other peers. Given opioids’ high potential for abuse and addiction, plus the risk of overdose, their use among teen athletes is cause for grave concern.
Warning signs that your child could be misusing opioids include:6
- Using higher or more frequent doses of opioids than prescribed.
- Claiming medications are lost or stolen and a new prescription is needed.
- Taking opioids from other sources than the original prescription, such as from a friend.
- Complaining about increasing pain, even as injury is healing.
- Excessive drowsiness or sedation.
- Loss of interest in normal activities and/or relationships.
There are steps parents can take to help their child avoid opioid abuse if they suffer a sports injury:
- Openly discuss the benefits and dangers of opioids with your child and their doctor.
- Discuss limiting the use of opioids to no longer than absolutely necessary for pain with your child’s doctor.
- Monitor how often your child takes opioids and dispose of unused medication.
- Work with your child’s doctor to explore physical therapy and other treatments that do not require opioids.
- Encourage your child to rest and heal, even if it means sitting out a few games or even a season.
Performance-Enhancing Drugs
Risks of Anabolic Steroids
The use of anabolic steroids by professional athletes across multiple sports has been extensively covered in the media for decades. Despite the negative consequences imposed on those who get caught, impressionable teenagers may look to these star athletes and internalize the belief that taking steroids is the key to athletic superstardom. Parents can use media coverage of doping athletes as a teaching tool to discuss the professional repercussions of getting caught.
Although some athletes may benefit in the short term from PED use, well-known cases like those of Lance Armstrong, Barry Bonds, and Marion Jones demonstrate that steroid use has serious consequences. Lost endorsements, tarnished legacies, banishment from the sport, and even criminal charges have all resulted for athletes who were discovered to have used banned substances. Reminding your children of the negative legal and athletic-career consequences of PEDs may be an effective way to discourage their use.
More importantly, long-term anabolic steroid use has been linked to serious side effects. These include:8
- Kidney failure.
- Liver damage.
- High blood pressure.
- Increased risk of stroke and heart attack.
Teenagers who start using anabolic steroids before their bodies are done growing may be at risk of stunted growth and height.8 This is because the artificially elevated hormone levels resulting from steroid use prematurely signal the body to stop bone growth.8
Anabolic steroid use can also have pronounced short-term side effects, which may help parents detect if their teen is doping. Some warning signs of steroid use include:8
- Extreme irritability.
- Delusions.
- Paranoia.
- Severe mood swings (commonly called “roid rage”).
- Acne.
- Swelling in the hands and feet.
If you suspect your child is using or considering using steroids, the best approach is to talk to them directly. Consult with their teachers, coaches, and/or school administration to help your child find the help and support they need to get back on track.
Don’t Wait
If you suspect that your teenager is using drugs of any kind, reach out for help. It is never too soon to intervene. If you think that your child has a substance abuse problem, seek help now; don’t wait. The earlier your child gets help, the more likely they’ll be able to recover and achieve long-term sobriety.