Parents and coaches need to be aware that more and more athletes are beginning to use drugs and alcohol due to the pressures to win, pressures to perform at a high level and pressure to maintain a “cool” image.  This article touches on some of the reasons why young athletes use drugs and alcohol and what parents and coaches can do to reduce or eleminate use.

Reasons Why Some Athletes Use Drugs

Drugs have the capability of providing athletes with the same “high feeling” that they experience after a big win.  Just as a big win has the potential of providing an athlete with a positive mood altering feeling, drugs and alcohol may provide similar “highs.”  Some athletes turn to drugs for the same reason non-athletes use mood altering chemicals; to reduce emotional pressures that comes from the pressure to succeed.  According to a government survey (SAMHSA, 2007), nearly 50% of all high school student admit to drinking alcohol illegally.  This statistic confirms the pressures facing our athletes to fit in with their social peers.

Negative Effects of Drugs and Athletics

• The American Athletic Institute published the following negative affects of alcohol on athletic training and performance:
• The body’s hormones necessary to increase athletic performance are reduced as long as 96 hours (4 days) after consuming alcohol.
• An athlete’s body may take up to 14 days to recover and regain proficient performance after intoxication.
• The athlete’s reaction time while performing may be negatively impacted as long as 12 hours after consumption.
• Players that consume alcohol and other non-prescribed drugs are twice as likely to become injured when compared to non-using athletes.
• Alcohol increases the release of cortisol in the body.  Cortisol (a stress hormone), negates the positive effects of proper athletic training.

Prevention Programs That Work For Athletes
Why Some Athletes Chose Not To Drink or Use Drugs

• Values are taught and reinforced at home.
• Positive influence to avoid drugs by teammates and coaches are promoted.
• Education of the negative effects of drugs on athletic performance is provided.
• Penalties and enforcement of consequences when athletes break rules take place in and out of school.
• Athletes who use illegal drugs often do so in their social settings.  Parents and coaches that recognize these potential negative settings exist and provide alternative positive settings, reduce the athletes’ chances of using drugs and alcohol.
• Coaches who strive to create a positive team culture, traditions, rituals, inter-team relationships and team expectations are more likely to produce athletes that are drug free.
• The use of multiple educational approaches over consecutive years increases the athletes’ chances of avoiding drugs and alcohol during their year’s primary years (ages 14-25) of athletic competition.   
• Parents, athletic leaders, community organizers and coaches need to walk the walk and talk the talk.  The misuse and abuse of alcohol and drugs in front of our young athletes provides poor modeling behavior. It’s crucial that parents and athletic leaders hold discussion on this topic and establish norms for coaches and parents striving to help our athletes become drug free.