By The Women's Sports Foundation
How does drug abuse affect the female athlete?
Use of "recreational" and/or performance enhancing drugs can lead to both short-term and long-term health problems for female athletes. Some of these effects may include…
Short-term
Mood swings (anxious, depressed)
Confusion, lack of coordination
Nose bleeds
Diarrhea and vomiting
Slurred speech
Memory loss
Hallucinations
Loss of appetite, energy and motivation
Long-term
Addiction
Violence
Heart & breathing problems
Coma
Death
What performance enhancing drugs are available to female athletes?
Steroids: (roids, juice, rocket fuel)- Swallowed as a pill or shot into your body with a needle, these powerful drugs act like testosterone. Steroids are used by athletes in any sport to build muscle fast.
HGH/human growth hormones: Taken as pills or injections, these can cause liver damage, cancer and early death
Store-bought Supplements: (Creatine, Androstenedione and Ephedra)- Trendy and easy to find, these pills are supposed to increase stamina and strength.
Stimulants: (Amphetamines, Ephedrine, Cocaine, Nicotine and even Caffeine)- These drugs make you less tired and more alert. Athletes sometimes take stimulants to make them concentrate better or to keep their energy level revved up.
Diuretics: These drugs are used to make you lose weight fast by chasing important fluids out of you body. Diuretics are most often used by athletes who compete in specific weight classes- like wrestlers.
Performance Substance Abuse Warning Signs
Mood swings (nervous, angry, cranky)
Sleeping problems
Muscle cramps and spasms
Stunted growth
Body morphing (deeper voice, facial hair, smaller boobs enlarged clitoris)
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Dehydration and exhaustion
Addiction
Seizers
Stroke
Heart problems/disease
Web Sites
National Institute for Health: www.nih.gov
The Physician and Sportsmedicine Online: www.physsportsmed.com
Sports Medicine sponsored by About.com: www.sportsmedicine.about.com
Hot Lines
Steroids hotline
1-800-steroids
National Clearinghouse for Drug Information
1-800-487-4889
Adult Books
Dudley, William (2001) Drugs and Sport, San Diego, CA: Greenhaven Press.
Kohn, Cynthia, et al. (2000) Pumped: Straight Facts for Athletes About Drugs, Supplements, and Training, New York, NY: W.W Norton and Company.
Yesalis, Charles (2000) Anabolic Steroids in Sport and Exercise, Champaign, IL:
Human Kinetics.
Wadler, Gary (1989) Drugs and the Athlete (Contemporary Exercise and Sports Medicine Series), Vol. 2, Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Company.
Organizations
United States Olympic Committee (USOC)
719-632-4180
www.usoc.org
D.A.R.E. America
1-800-223-3273
www.dare.com
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
913-339-1906
www.ncaa.org