What is the specialized athlete addiction treatment program offered by Lumina Recovery in the United States?

Lumina Recovery’s specialized athlete addiction treatment program in the United States is designed to address the unique physical, psychological, and emotional challenges athletes face due to performance pressures, chronic pain, stress, and substance use. The program supports professional, amateur, and student athletes with personalized treatment and ongoing care.

Who can benefit from the athlete addiction treatment program at Lumina Recovery in the United States?

Athletes of all levels in the United States, including professional athletes, young adult athletes, college athletes, and hobbyists who are struggling with substance use or addiction, can benefit from Lumina Recovery’s athlete-focused treatment programs.

Why are athletes at risk for substance abuse and addiction in the United States?

Athletes in the United States may be at risk for substance abuse due to factors like performance pressure, chronic pain from injury, stress and anxiety, peer influences, and the demands of competitive environments. These pressures can lead to using substances for pain management, performance enhancement, or stress relief, which can develop into dependency and addiction.

What types of substances do athletes commonly misuse that Lumina Recovery addresses in its programs in the United States?

Athletes in the United States may misuse substances such as opioids for chronic pain, anabolic steroids for performance enhancement, prescription stimulants like Adderall, recreational drugs like cocaine or marijuana, and alcohol. Lumina Recovery’s programs address addiction to these substances through comprehensive treatment.

What types of treatment options are included in Lumina Recovery’s athlete addiction program in the United States?

Lumina Recovery’s athlete addiction program in the United States can include medically supervised detox, inpatient residential rehab, partial hospitalization programs (PHP), intensive outpatient programs (IOP), dual diagnosis care, evidence-based therapies, and telehealth counseling to meet individual recovery needs.

How does therapy help athletes overcome addiction in Lumina Recovery’s programs in the United States?

Therapy in Lumina Recovery’s athlete addiction programs in the United States helps individuals understand the psychological drivers behind their substance use, develop coping strategies for stress and competition, address underlying mental health concerns, and build healthier lifestyle habits to support lasting recovery.

Does Lumina Recovery offer aftercare support for athletes in the United States?

Yes. After completing primary treatment, athletes in the United States can access ongoing support at Lumina Recovery, which may include continued therapy sessions, support groups, relapse prevention planning, and life-skills development to reinforce long-term recovery success.

Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment at Lumina Recovery

Rehab for Professional Athletes in the United States

At Lumina Recovery, we understand the unique challenges that athletes face around addiction and mental health. Young adult athletes, hobbyists, and professional athletes can all fall into substance abuse to enhance performance. But results aside, can impact their health, performance, and overall well-being.

Overcoming addiction is a significant challenge, and our comprehensive addiction treatment programs are designed to provide specialized care and support to help athletes regain control of their lives and achieve lasting recovery. Whether you’re a professional or just starting out in your athletic career, our dedicated team is here to guide you and support you on your recovery journey. The support and efforts of family, coaches, and professionals play a vital role in helping athletes recover and prevent further harm.

What Drives Athletes to Use Drugs?

Professional athletic careers can be physically and psychologically demanding. Some athletes may turn to substances like alcohol to unwind, or benzodiazepines to manage their anxiety. This can lead to physical dependence, where the body comes to depend on the substance to achieve equilibrium. This is different from addiction, where someone also has a psychological dependence on the substance and perceives themselves as needing the drug to relax or feel better.

Athletes that use drugs may do so to manage chronic pain or to improve performance in their chosen athletic pursuit. But constant use of an addictive substance can drastically impair a person’s judgment or coordination over time. If an athlete needs an addictive substance to consistently produce results, they’re not actually cultivating a skill. They may see the addictive substance as a necessary key to their success, which can make quitting substance use when things “turn bad” all the more difficult.

But it’s not just professional athletes that are at risk of substance abuse addiction. Drug abuse in young athletes and college athletes also happens. Depending on the rigor of their program, student athletes may feel that they need addictive substances to help them keep up with performance expectations in addition to expectations regarding academic success. If there are no immediate negative consequences to their drug use, the athlete eventually may not be able to picture competing without them.

Every person is different, and they may have a totally different reaction to a substance than someone with a similar background or relationship. But many athletes use drugs for these reasons:

To improve athletic performance: The pressure to excel in sports can lead some athletes to experiment with performance-enhancing substances to give themselves an edge. People aspiring to become professional athletes may feel that they need to do whatever it takes to reach the top. Scandals around doping and steroid use in professional athletes reveal competitive cultures where athletes fall into drug abuse because they “didn’t want to be the only one not using them.”
To manage chronic pain: Athletes often grapple with chronic pain as a result of sports-related injuries. Some may resort to opioids (or other substances) to manage their physical discomfort while rehabilitating or going about everyday life. This can easily lead to physical addiction to the substances designed to bring relief.
Stress and anxiety: Rigorous schedules and constant time in the spotlight can create immense stress and feelings of anxiety in athletes. Athletes that end up regularly using drugs may do so because it seems like a way to temporarily escape these pressures.
Peer pressure: Just as in any social circle, athletes may face peer pressure to use drugs from teammates, coaches, or other individuals in their support system. They may worry about not being a “team player” if they’re not willing to do everything possible to win. If they’re recovering from an injury, athletes may use drugs to self-medicate and avoid time off the field or court.
To cope with retirement: The transition away from an active sports career can be incredibly challenging. Pro athletes move from a daily routine full of attention and praise to one where their actions may feel meaningless. They may turn to substances to fill the void left by the absence of their sport and/or their perceived purpose.

The Link Between Chronic Pain and Addiction

A significant issue athletes often grapple with is chronic pain. Even if an athlete never has a career-ending injury, wear and tear from consistent exercise can result in damage to the body over time. Opioid use can be very common among athletes due to the need to address pain from sports-related injuries.

The desire to perform well or beat out the competition may drive athletes to seek relief by any means necessary. But over time, continued substance abuse can lead to addiction or physical dependence. Even chronic use of marijuana (frequently billed as safer for athletes) can result in diminished athletic capacity and lower quality of life.

Common Addictions for Athletes

Athletes often face intense physical and psychological pressures. This can sometimes lead to addiction, but even the substances to which people can become addicted aren’t constant.

Here are some commonly abused drugs among athletes for the sake of enhancing themselves for competition, whether for enhanced strength and endurance or to speak to individual athletic concerns:

Anabolic Steroids: These synthetic derivatives of testosterone promote muscle growth and strength. Athletes may misuse them to gain a competitive edge, but this can lead to serious health problems. Even “natural” supplements can be just as dangerous as performance-enhancing drugs due to excessive use, buildup in the body. or unexpected drug interactions.
Androstenedione: Often referred to as “andro,” this hormone precursor is converted into testosterone in the body and can enhance muscle development and performance.
Human Growth Hormone (HGH): HGH stimulates growth, cell reproduction, and regeneration. Athletes may misuse it to gain muscle mass or recover strength quickly.
Erythropoietin (EPO): EPO stimulates the production of red blood cells naturally in the body, increasing oxygen-carrying capacity. It is one method of “blood doping” (alongside blood transfusions and other injectable drugs) used to illegally enhance endurance in athletes, notably cyclists.
Diuretics: These substances increase urine production and reduce water weight. Athletes may misuse them to “make weight” or flush out other performance-enhancing drugs before undergoing a drug test.
Opioids: Opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone are among the most frequently abused substances by athletes, partly because they can be prescribed to amateurs and pros alike to help with pain management. These drugs can cause serious health problems if not used as prescribed, and recovery from opioid addiction requires support and consistency over time.

Athletes may also use recreational drugs to cope with pressure or wind down after a stressful game. Recreational drugs used by athletes may include:

Alcohol: While alcohol is legal and drinking it is mostly accepted in society, excessive use can impair an athlete’s ability to perform, coordination and judgment.
Cocaine: This powerful stimulant drug can provide a temporary boost in energy and confidence. But all forms of cocaine can be very addictive, and use can result in serious health consequences and extreme fluctuations in energy.
Marijuana: Some athletes use marijuana for relaxation or pain relief. But excessive marijuana use can impair cognitive function and reaction time, which can potentially compromise abilities.
Amphetamines: Using “amps” can enhance alertness, concentration, and stamina in the short term. But they also carry significant health risks, can interact with other substances, and are often prohibited in leagues for amateur and professional athletes alike.
Prescription Stimulants: Athletes may misuse stimulants like Adderall to enhance focus and energy. But practicing throws or running drills under the influence doesn’t always equate to actual preparation, and the use of Adderall not originally prescribed to the person using it can have very real adverse effects on their health.
Prescription pills: Athletes may misuse prescription pills to manage their physical pain or to consistently train on “bad days.” But what starts as prescribed use can escalate into misuse and abuse. This is why honesty and proper communication with one’s medical provider is essential, especially when it feels like prescribed medication doesn’t appear to work at the original prescribed use (an early sign of addiction).

It’s essential for athletes addicted to substances to seek medically assisted detox. Quitting drug use “cold turkey” can cause incredible harm to the body no matter the person’s state of physical strength. Medical supervision and the administration of medication (when appropriate) can drastically lower the chances of lasting physical damage from detox.

Addiction Treatment for Athletes

Athletes have demanding careers to manage, and many have family obligations. Lumina Recovery offers a range of treatment options for professional athletes at our rehab centers across the United States. Our addiction treatment program options include:

Our mental health professionals use a variety of research-backed behavioral therapies in the course of treatment. We also offer telehealth services for athletes facing addiction, so individuals can meet with our team from the comfort of home.

Support and Aftercare

Completing detox is just the beginning. Ongoing support and aftercare are essential for athletes to maintain their recovery and avoid relapse. This ongoing care may include regular therapy sessions, participation in support groups, and continued education about the dangers of substance abuse. Athletes can benefit from working closely with professionals who can help them develop safe training routines and reinforce positive lifestyle choices.

Heal From Addiction at Lumina Recovery

Lumina Recovery offers specialized treatment programs that can address the unique needs of athletes dealing with drug addiction. Our rehab programs for athletes are designed to help them break free from the grip of addictive substances and regain control of their lives and careers.

If you’re an athlete worried about addiction or mental health issues, our treatment centers across the United States are ready to provide help. We’re dedicated to answering your concerns and helping you be successful in a healthier life of sobriety. Contact us for help fighting drug abuse today.

Call Us Today – (877) 716-7515