Addiction

Addiction recovery for athletes

Understand treatment options for alcohol, drugs, prescription medication and gambling, without treating athletic discipline as a substitute for care.

Describe the pattern honestly

You might be concerned about what you use, how much time it takes, money you are spending or attempts to change that have not lasted. An assessment is a place to explain that pattern, not a test of how much willpower you have.

Start with safety

Stopping alcohol suddenly can be dangerous when dependence is present.[1] Abruptly stopping or rapidly reducing benzodiazepines can also cause serious withdrawal.[2] Seek medical advice rather than planning an unsupervised detox around the competition calendar.

Think beyond the initial stay

Use the treatment-selection guides to ask about ongoing care, coordination with existing clinicians and the practical environment you will return to. Be clear about whether you need assessment, withdrawal management, residential care or continuing support.

Sources & further reading

  1. NHS - Alcohol-use disorder ↗
  2. FDA - Benzodiazepine safety and withdrawal warning ↗

Sources and further reading for this guide. Confirm current program details directly with the provider.