Key Takeaways
- Retired athletes are more likely to acquire alcohol use disorder because they lose their sense of self, get harmed, and don’t obtain the mental health care they require.
- Moving from elite sports to civilian life can make people depressed and addicted; therefore, it’s important to get help for both.
- Integrated techniques, such as the Alcohol Detox Program, Relapse Prevention Therapy, and screening instruments like the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), are necessary for support.
- People should be able to access care that is both easy to access and kind in towns neighboring Phoenix, such as Mesa, Tempe, and Scottsdale.
- Athletes can get well physically and emotionally by going to specialist addiction clinics.
Introduction
When you stop playing professional sports, it can feel like the end of an era. When athletes stop being athletes and become civilians, they can become vulnerable. This transformation often leads to alcohol use disorder. Many retired athletes struggle with the transition because they lack a clear goal, social support, or a structured routine.
But that’s not the end of the threat. During this point in their lives, people typically experience pain that isn’t managed, trauma that isn’t resolved, and mental health issues. If they don’t get adequate treatment, some people may start drinking too much and doing things that are bad for them. People who used to be well-liked and are now addicted to drugs or alcohol are much more stigmatized.
How Does Retirement Increase The Risk Of Addiction And Mental Health Decline?
When you stop playing elite sports, you alter a lot about who you are. National Library of Medicine research indicates that ending a career can negatively impact both emotional and professional functioning, as athletes lose their defined roles and sense of purpose. Some people cope with their sadness in unhealthy ways, such utilizing drugs and alcohol to fill the gap left by lost structure and friends.
Injuries that occur during the best years of performance might lead to long-term pain and prescriptions for painkillers. More than half of the players who retired acknowledged they used opioids while they were playing, and many of them misused them. When people desire to escape pain, this path typically overlaps with alcohol abuse.
Also, professional athletes are more likely to have mental health issues like depression. About 35% of top athletes claim they suffer issues like burnout, anxiety, and depression, especially after they stop playing sports or move on to something new.
What Can Retired Athletes Do To Avoid Getting Addicted?
1. Screening And Discovering Early
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, using tests like the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) for Screening at health checkups, especially around retirement, can help discover early signs of alcohol misuse and stop it before it gets worse.
2. Complete Detox And Stability
Structured Alcohol Detox Programs are highly crucial for safely dealing with physical withdrawal and getting the body back to normal. This early period allows for more thorough psychological and behavioral therapies, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
3. Handling Difficulties That Occur At The Same Time
A lot of retiring sportsmen have to deal with both physical pain and mental anguish. The most excellent method to get better is to get therapy for both Depression treatment and addiction at the same time. This is because mental health and substance abuse are strongly linked.
4. Ongoing Prevention Of Relapse
Stopping Relapse Prevention Therapy teaches people how to be strong and deal with their challenges. Getting ongoing help, whether in a group or one-on-one, can help you stay sober for an extended period and avoid setbacks.
5. Getting Out Into The Community And Making It Easier To Get Help
Addiction services are available in places like Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe, and Scottsdale, which are suitable for athletes who come back to those areas. Bridging the gap between high-level care and community-based services ensures that help is more reliable and less stigmatized.
Why Athletes Need To Get Help For Their Addictions
Customized programs for retired athletes improve treatment outcomes because they have their own way of thinking, discipline, and physical fitness. Athletes frequently respond differently to addiction treatment compared to the general populace. For instance, individuals might not talk about their difficulties as much because they are afraid of being judged, or they might push themselves too hard in treatment environments. Because of this, treatment should focus on both physical rehabilitation and things like motivation, supportive counseling, and recreating one’s identity.
Conclusion
Retired sportsmen go through a unique combination of grief, suffering, and stress that makes them more likely to develop alcohol use disorder. If these things aren’t dealt with, they can lead to addiction, mental health problems, and loneliness, especially for those who used to compete and now feel like no one understands them. When you employ evidence-based treatments like Depression treatment, individualized detox programs, AUDIT screening, and Relapse Prevention Therapy, you can not only get better, but you can also stay better for a long time.
Virtue Recovery Sun City West is a great example of hope since it offers loving, athlete-centered care. Don’t be hesitant to contact out if you or someone you know is having trouble with addiction, especially when things are changing. One bold move is the first step toward recovery. Call Tel: 866.485.1657 right away.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What makes ex-athletes more likely to drink too much?
When an athlete stops playing, they lose their identity, their daily routine, and the people who support them. This can make them feel empty, which drugs like alcohol can temporarily fill.
How might the AUDIT screening tool aid athletes who are going through a change?
The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) for Screening helps clinicians detect early indicators of harmful drinking and stop it before it becomes worse.
How does depression affect retired athletes’ addiction?
Depression often accompanies addiction, intensifying hopelessness and reducing resilience to harmful coping strategies, including alcohol consumption. Getting to the base of the problem means treating both Depression treatment and addiction at the same time.
What makes Relapse Prevention Therapy so vital for staying sober for a long time?
Relapse Prevention Therapy equips patients with the skills to manage stress, stressors, and life changes, reducing the likelihood of relapse to their previous habits.
Are there recovery centers in the Phoenix metro region that know what athletes need?
Yes, there are organizations that expand beyond Phoenix to Mesa, Tempe, and Scottsdale that offer specialist addiction care for former athletes.
Citations:
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). “Alcohol Use Disorder: A Comparison Between DSM–IV and DSM–5.” National Institutes of Health, 2021, https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/alcohol-use-disorder-comparison-between-dsm.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Alcohol and Public Health.” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/index.htm.
National Library of Medicine (NLM). “Retirement from Sport: Career Transitions of Elite Athletes.” PubMed Central, 2019, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6583001/.
