Teenagers who participate in sports are at an advantage in many ways. Being involved in a sport is important for teenagers and children of all ages, it gives kids a sense of importance. It teaches fair play and achievement, it has structure, goal setting and teaches the importance of working together as a team. All of these things will greatly benefit anyone throughout their entire life. Exercising is healthy and fun, is a great way for teenagers and children to make friends and feel a part of something bigger then themselves. Another benefit that might not be as obvious is that being involved in a sport can actually lead to drug prevention. Reuters has recently done a study that showed that teenagers who are in involved in a sport or exercise regularly are less likely to use drugs and smoke cigarettes then those teens that are not active. These studies have found that this behavior carries over to early adulthood and individuals who are involved in regular exercise are less likely to abuse drugs.
While teenagers who actively participate in a sport are less likely to abuse drugs, they are actually more likely to abuse alcohol. The reasons are a little unclear, but can possibly be linked to the peer pressures involved in being a part of a team and also the frequent alcohol advertising that is often linked to sporting events. It is important to have a conversation with teen athletes about the dangers of drinking and abusing alcohol. One night of binge drinking can undo weeks of sports conditioning.
Student athletes are also at risk for opiate painkiller abuse. While student athletes are less likely to abuse recreational drugs, they are more likely to abuse prescription painkillers and also performance enhancing steroids. Teen athletes often get injured and are prescribed painkillers for an injury which can lead to abuse or dependence. It is important to be diligent with student athletes and monitor their use of painkillers, helping them determine when they are no longer necessary for their injury.
While participating in sports is not a magic answer for drug prevention, it is a step in the right direction. Coaches and parents should always have an open dialogue with teen athletes regarding drugs, both recreational and prescription and alcohol abuse. When the lines of communication are kept open, there is more room for success.