Sports and drugs. What happens to an athlete who takes drugs?
There is an opinion that sports and drugs are incompatible. However, unfortunately, this is not always the case. Where does a dangerous addiction come from? Is it possible to overcome it with exercise? As practice shows, in most cases, an athlete should get a proper treatment, either they look for help in private clinics or get into rehab without insurance. Drugs have ruined the careers of many athletes. Among them there are real stars of various sports.
What is addiction?
Addiction is an obsessive need to take certain actions, despite the adverse consequences of a medical, psychological or social nature. Addiction is physiological, caused by the intake of chemicals – drugs, alcohol, uncontrolled eating; and behavioral – from gambling, shopping, the Internet, religious cults, risky behavior and so on. All types of addiction are characterized by an increase in tolerance to the active substance, due to which the addicted person is forced to constantly increase the dose, and the person loses control over the use of the active substance. The lifestyle of an addicted person is specific. An increasing role in his life is played by the use of the active substance or the activity in which he is involved: gambling, shopping and so on. Termination causes a withdrawal syndrome, which is accompanied by irritability, anxiety, nausea, pain and a desire to take a psychoactive substance to get rid of negative feelings.
In another sense, dependence is a desire to rely on another person or people for pleasure and security to achieve their goals. Addictions can be chemical (drug addiction, alcoholism, substance abuse and food addiction) and behavioral (addiction to gambling, the Internet, addiction to religious cults, romantic relationships, sex, shopaholism, workaholism, and so on).
The peculiarity of the dependence dilemma is that it involves a choice. Close people often do not understand that this problem can be solved only by joint efforts, that it was not created point by point and it will also be solved not as a unique event, but as a whole process.
What drugs are used in sports?
Non-narcotic doping:
- Anabolics are hormonal drugs (testosterone, nandrolone, stanozolol, methenolone) that accelerate muscle mass gain and strengthen bones.
- Peptide hormones are substances that mimic the action of the natural kidney hormone. They activate the maturation of erythrocytes, thereby increasing the level of hemoglobin and improving endurance.
- Diuretics are diuretics that remove fluid from the body. Taking diuretics is a way to quickly lose hundreds of grams or even pounds before competitions, as well as to outline muscle relief.
- Beta-blockers are drugs that are commonly used for tachycardia, arrhythmia, hypertension, angina, heart failure. During sports, they are used illegally to reduce stress levels and reduce the heart’s response to exercise.
Athletes who take these drugs need the help of psychologists and therapists. But often recognized drugs are used in sports. In this case, without a place in a drug clinic can not do.
Psychostimulants are drugs that stimulate the central nervous system. They charge with energy, accelerate reactions, eliminate fatigue, increase endurance and dull painful sensations. The most commonly used drugs in sports are amphetamine, cocaine, ecstasy, ephedrine.
Opiates are analgesics that mask pain from injuries and increase the pain threshold. In addition, the person who used them feels happy and invincible, confident.
The world’s most famous lost careers in sports
Many athletes have paid for their careers and happy lives by using drugs in sports. Footballer Diego Maradona was caught using cocaine and ephedrine. Another player, Adrian Mutu, also used cocaine and later sibutramine. Boxer Mike Tyson smoked marijuana and sniffed cocaine. Tennis player Andre Agassi himself admitted that he was addicted to methamphetamine. The list of athletes trapped in drugs can be extended for a long time. Drugs and sports have always been enemies.
The reason for such severe punishment was drug trafficking. An investigation that lasted about six years revealed that the athlete was selling marijuana and cocaine. She did it not only in nightclubs and bars, but also in the gym, where she trained, as well as on sports fields, football and rugby matches.
Borelli was assisted in this business by her friend, rugby player Filippo Maserati. Police arrested both. In addition to the sweet couple, 33 other people are involved in the case.
Borelli competed under the auspices of the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) in the lightest weight – from 57 to 61 kilograms. In his last fight in January 2019, he lost to Kathleen Chukagyan from the United States. The total number of fights of the athlete in MMA – 17. In them she managed to win 12 games.
Former world champion boxer Mike Tyson also had a reputation as a complete addict. In 1987 and 1991, it ended in a trial for assault and imprisonment for rape. In 2006, police arrested an athlete for driving under the influence of cocaine, marijuana, alcohol and depressants. This time it was easy – only one day of conclusion.
Tyson often went to the ring under the influence of drugs. He told about it later, when he was able to overcome the disease. According to him, it was psychotropic substances that prompted him to bite twice in the battle of Holyfield, and after the fight almost kill everyone who tried to prevent him from reaching the opponent again. Mike admitted that he had to use someone else’s urine to circumvent doping control.
The most famous drug addict in sports can be considered the idol of football fans around the world – Argentine Diego Maradona. He attributes his first drug experience to the time he played for Barcelona. Then the player took them to feel confident in an unusual situation. The first suspicions fell on the star in February 1991. However, the footballer was interrogated by the police in the case of drug distribution.
Treatment of drug-addicted athletes
The tactics of treatment of people who use drugs in sports do not differ from the tactics of treatment of other drug addicts. They need to go through several stages: cleansing from toxins, working with a psychologist, returning to their former lives. However, there are some nuances. First, when it comes to well-known athletes, strict confidentiality is required. Secondly, you need to create conditions for training. Third, especially carefully and thoughtfully select the types and dosages of drugs. All this is possible in a private anonymous rehabilitation, that is why drug treatment programs with no insurance would not fit.
Specialists working in specialized clinics are always ready to lend a helping hand to all people suffering from drug addiction. If the addict is not able to start treatment, then relatives and friends can contact the doctors. You do not need to think long about how to eliminate drug addiction, you should act in a quick manner. Drug addiction is a truly serious disease that progresses in the shortest possible time, therefore, the earlier you start therapy, the more effective the result will be.
At the first visit to the center, a consultant psychiatrist-narcologist, who is engaged in the creation of a therapeutic program, will help. For example, if drug use has not become systematic, then you can prescribe treatment with a psychotherapist. The specialist will identify and help get rid of the causes of drug addiction. Often you have to deal with family problems, get rid of hidden ailments that do not allow you to feel like an adequate member of society. Psychologists will relieve these difficulties and make life brighter.
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