Drugs and Athletes Updated!

In sports, drug abuse falls into two general categories: athletes' illegal consumption of recreational drugs and their use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). Affecting every level of competition from amateur to professional, drug use in sports has generated controversy among athletes, fans, sponsors, and athletic leagues and authorities. The recreational use of illegal drugs puts athletes in violation of the law, while using banned PEDs is considered a form of cheating. Given the high public profile of successful athletes and their influence as role models for young people, both types of drug abuse among athletes are widely considered problematic.

Recreational drugs include marijuana, cocaine, and other substances that athletes may take for enjoyment or for reasons other than to enhance athletic...