Helping Athletes Overcome Addiction

addicted athletesAthletes may sometimes seem to have superhuman abilities, but they are people just like anyone else. And, like anyone else, sometimes they struggle with addiction problems. We tend to think of athletes as the pinnacle of human strength and physical health, not interested in abusing their bodies. But the fact is, athletes can fall under a great deal of stress and expectation, and some of them become experimental in seeking methods of coping. Sadly, this can lead to addictive substances and processes which begin to unravel the athlete’s life.

An athlete’s addiction issues are usually due to stress and pressure, both physical and mental. A professional athlete can become stressed about how taxing their profession is. After all, practices, meetings, trials and competitions can quickly fill up a schedule to the point that there is little to no spare time left in it. The business that athlete’s go about is also very demanding on the athlete’s body and mind, so if they are not able to rest and recuperate, they become dysfunctional. The pressure on an athlete to outperform themselves and their competition can also be very mentally taxing and stressful.

An athlete who is slipping further and further into addiction is in danger; danger of ruining their careers, their relationships, their health, and even in danger of losing their life, in many situations. Particularly when an athlete is addicted to a substance are they in real danger, as many addictive substances in excess can cause organ failure. There is no doubt that athletes who are struggling with addiction need help, and it is very important that they connect with a treatment program that will be successful in helping them to recover. There are inpatient treatment programs that are designed for high profile individuals such as athletes, and even some that specialize in the treatment of addicted athletes. Addiction is a scary thing that no one knows how to face at first, but do not be afraid to reach out for help, for the sake of your loved ones and yourself.