Drugs and running are not a good combination. Why?
The following three issues will make the reasons clear.
1. Combining Drugs with Running Can Cause Physical Damage
Whenever someone uses drugs, he or she will experience both physical and psychological changes, some of which can happen immediately while others can occur over time. When people run or engage in other physical activities while they are on drugs, they can potentially experience negative side effects.
Often, drug use during physical activity can cause physical damage. Occasionally, the damage can be life-threatening.
For instance, one’s body could go into shock or completely shut down. And the more demanding the physical activity is, the higher the risk is of causing permanent damage.
2. Performance-Enhancing Drugs Can Be Dangerous
Some people who are serious about their fitness or compete professionally in marathons and other running competitions use performance-enhancing drugs to improve their physical abilities.
For instance, some runners and athletes use anabolic steroids to build muscle and increase their athletic performance.
Anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs are illegal in the US, and with good reason. They can cause various serious health issues, including high blood pressure, kidney damage, liver disease, and heart disease.
Running should primarily be about keeping fit and healthy, so it never makes sense for runners to use performance-enhancing drugs that can damage them physically.
3. Many Over-the-counter Drugs Can Cause Harm, Too
It is not only illegal drugs that can cause issues when running or engaging in other sports and physical activities. Runners should also avoid many over-the-counter prescription drugs.
For instance, the stimulant pseudoephedrine is an active ingredient that is found in decongestants like Sudafed. And pseudoephedrine can exacerbate underlying medical issues and enhance health risks for runners, especially when taken long-term.
The drug will shrink the blood vessels in your nose, which is good for reducing swelling and draining fluids in order to relieve congestion. But shrinking blood vessels in your nose also means your heart needs to work harder to pump blood through your body.
Therefore, runners and athletes who take pseudoephedrine are more at risk of things like heart problems. Other prescription drugs that runners should avoid include fluoroquinolones, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, and corticosteroids.
You should always talk to your doctor about whether a medication you are prescribed could cause issues with running and other physical activities.
Why So Many Addicts Do Not Seek Treatment
Many runners continue to take drugs even when they know information like that outlined above because they become addicted to them. Sadly, many addicts do not seek treatment for their drug addiction problems.
One reason for that is that they find navigating addiction recovery barriers challenging. For instance, one common concern of people who struggle with substance abuse disorders is that it could negatively impact their employment.
Fearing being labeled as an addict is another common reason why addicts refuse to seek treatment. And sometimes it can simply be difficult for people to access the help they need due to things like not having a supportive network of friends and family or living in an isolated location.
The addiction itself can prevent people from getting help, too. That is because the brain changes when people take drugs regularly, and the brain becomes more interested in getting the next fix of drugs than it is in getting treatment.
Final Thoughts
If you are addicted to drugs, you should seek help. Not only will your running become a healthier activity. You will also feel psychologically and physically stronger over time.
On the other hand, if you continue to use drugs regularly, you could jeopardize your relationships, your work, and your health.