When we think of performance-enhancing drugs, cocaine is not usually the first drug that comes to mind. But, some athletes use cocaine for just that purpose. The drug is well-known for its ability to increase energy levels, so it’s not surprising that athletes and cocaine use would become an issue.
Several top-notch athletes have been suspended for using cocaine.
You might recognize some of them:
Although athletes mistakenly believe cocaine enhances their performance, researchers have found that it diminishes their strength and endurance thereby having a detrimental effect on their overall performance. Cocaine also impairs the body’s ability to regulate temperature, making this a dangerous situation for the individual who is exerting himself.
Cocaine has several adverse health effects on the average person, but for an athlete, the effects are enhanced due to their strenuous activity.
Some of the problems an athlete can experience from cocaine abuse include:
During any strenuous physical activity, cocaine taxes the cardiovascular system and may cause heart arrhythmia or cardiac arrest. The potential health problems are enough reason that athletes and cocaine abuse should be banned. In fact, the drug has been banned in professional and amateur sports to protect the health of the athlete as well as the integrity of the sport.
Athletes are only human, but we put them on a pedestal and expect great things from them. Sometimes the pressure to excel can be too much. Many athletes turn to alcohol or drugs to help them cope. Young athletes are prone to be easily influenced by fame and fortune and begin to feel bullet-proof. This attitude often leads them to take illegal drugs as a form of recreation. Also, an abundance of money makes it easier for them to afford designer drugs. Sadly, they forget that they are role models for their fans. They are also setting a bad example for members of the next generation of sportspeople. Today, cocaine is considered the new beer for wealthy athletes and some people believe it should be more tolerated.
The drug-related lifestyle an athlete follows during their peak years will be come back to haunt them as their career begins to taper off.
Our high-profile athletes are often pushed to the limits of human endurance. But, not all of them turn to drugs. It is not the intent of this article to present athletes in a detrimental light. The fact is, drug abuse has invaded every aspect of society.
We would likely be shocked to learn how many famous people, homemakers, executives, teachers, and high school or college kids use cocaine. Today, one out of four (36.8 million) Americans have admitted to using cocaine at some point in their life. More than 15,000 people die each year from cocaine-related problems.
If you would like more information about athletes and cocaine, contact us today at our toll-free number. We can also help if you are seeking treatment for cocaine abuse for yourself or a loved one.
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