Five Reasons Sports People Turn To Drink & Drugs Post-Career
The career of a sportsperson is often short. It burns bright and then fades out in their 30s. Whether it be football, boxing, tennis, cricket or any other sport, life after their career can be difficult.
In fact, we’ve seen time and time again sports people struggle to cope after retirement from their sport. And often that can lead to addiction. Turning to drink and drugs is all too common for those who have lived their lives at the top level, with many eventually having to seek help, go through medical detox and bouts of therapy. Think Ricky Hatton, Tony Adams, Bradley Wiggins and more.
But why is it that many do struggle with drink and drugs post-career? What exactly drives them to that? Well, a wealth of reasons really…
Loss of Identity
For many, they’ve grown up with the sole purpose of being a professional sportsperson. From a young age it’s been training, competitions and it’s been central to their self-perception. It is who they are.
When retirement hits, that sense of identity disappears overnight. The daily routines, goals, public recognition. It all disappears. That can be incredibly hard to cope with and leave an emptiness inside, which is often filled by drink or drugs, providing them with temporary relief and a bit of a high. But that just isn’t sustainable.
Mental Health Challenges
Mental health challenges do tend to develop, with low self-esteem, anxiety and depression emerging once the focus and adrenaline from their careers are removed. It can leave athletes vulnerable to emotional instability.
Again, alcohol and drugs are that reprieve, but it can quickly spiral into addiction, creating even more challenges to deal with, both mentally and physically.
Chronic Pain and Injuries
Years of intense training and competition often leave sports people with chronic pain or long-term injuries. Pain management can be challenging, particularly when conventional medical treatments are inadequate. Some retired athletes turn to prescription medication, recreational drugs, or alcohol to cope with discomfort.
While these substances may provide temporary relief, they carry a high risk of dependency and can complicate physical recovery. Awareness of safe pain management options and support from healthcare professionals is essential to prevent misuse.
Social Pressure and Lifestyle Changes
Retirement brings big lifestyle changes. You don’t have to train everyday and you’re also not involved in that locker room community either. It’s a real adjustment. Firstly, they can now eat or drink whatever they want, but what’s more their life no longer has that structure and social support from teammates.
That shift can lead to feelings of isolation and often people will seek that environment elsewhere, which can sometimes be in places where alcohol and drugs are more prevalent.
Financial Stress and Uncertainty
Finally, money can play its part. Not all athletes retire with financial security. Managing a sudden change in income, coupled with the cost of maintaining a lifestyle accustomed to professional sport, can create stress and anxiety.
Financial pressure may contribute to feelings of hopelessness or despair, leading some to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs. The combination of financial uncertainty, loss of purpose, and physical and mental health struggles can create a perfect storm, increasing the risk of substance misuse in retired sports professionals.
Retirement can be difficult for anyone, but with such short careers it can be difficult to adjust, particularly with such a long time ahead of them in their lives. However, finding healthy coping mechanisms is a must and there is help out there for those that are struggling, which can ensure that sports people enjoy their retirement and refind a purpose in their lives.
