Why are some drugs and substances banned in sports?

Sporting authorities have banned many drugs because they may give an athlete an unfair advantage. They might also cause health issues.

Using drugs in sport undermines values like fair play and teamwork. When sportspeople use drugs, they:

• give sport a bad reputation
• set a poor example to others
• risk their reputation and career

Using drugs to improve performance in sport may lead to an athlete being banned and may also harm their health.

Why do people use drugs in sports?

Athletes might be tempted to use 'performance-enhancing drugs' (PEDs) or 'performance and image-enhancing drugs' (PIEDs) because of:

• a desire to win
• a desire for prizes and large sponsorship deals
• social pressures to win

Health professionals advise that athletes can get their best results by:

• having a healthy diet that meets their training needs
• getting enough sleep
• keeping hydrated
• putting in lots of hard work

What types of drugs are used to enhance performance?

Drugs that can enhance someone's sporting performance are:

• illicit and illegal drugs
• legal drugs

Illicit and Illegal drugs

Illicit drugs include:

• illegal drugs
• medicines that are used for non-medical purposes
• other substances used inappropriately (such as inhalants)

Illicit drugs fall into 3 categories:

1. stimulants — such as amphetamines and cocaine
2. depressants — such as heroin
3. hallucinogens — such as LSD and magic mushrooms

Legal drugs

Some medicines and supplements are banned by sporting authorities. These include:

• some prescription medicines
• some over-the-counter medicines
• some alternative medicines
• some sports and dietary supplements

Commonly used medicines such as insulin, some asthma medicines and pseudoephedrine may be banned for some people because they enhance performance.

How can I check if a drug is banned?

You can check any medicines that you take at the Global Drug Reference Online (GlobalDRO) website.

GlobalDRO has information about the banned status of medicines based on the current World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.

It has specific information on products sold in:

• Australia
• Canada
• Japan
• New Zealand
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• United States

Note that GlobalDRO does not have information about dietary supplements.

What should I do if I need to take medicine for a health reason?

If you need the medicine for a legitimate medical reason, you may be granted a Therapeutic Use Exemption. A Therapeutic Use Exemption allows an athlete to use an otherwise banned substance.

You can find out more about how to apply on the Sport Integrity Australia website.

What health damage can performance drugs cause?

Many banned drugs are very safe when prescribed by a doctor for a specific health reason. However, these medicines are not approved for use by healthy people, in higher doses or in combination with other substances.

Stimulants

Stimulants speed up the central nervous system and may be used by athletes to reduce fatigue and increase their alertness. They include:

• amphetamines
• cocaine
• ecstasy
• methylphenidate (brand name Ritalin)
• nicotine
• caffeine

Health risks include:

• panic attacks
• heart problems
• addiction
• violent behaviour

Anabolic steroids

Anabolic steroids are natural or synthetic substances derived from the hormone testosterone. They are used to increase muscle size and strength. Health risks include:

• acne
• male pattern baldness
• liver problems
• increased aggression

Females may also get:

• deepening of the voice
• growth of hair on the face, stomach and upper back
• changed menstrual cycle

Males may also get:

• breast growth
• shrinking testicles
• reduced sperm production
• erectile dysfunction (impotence)

Some of these effects can be long lasting.

Human growth hormones and peptide hormones

In Australia, treatment using these substances is only allowed for medical purposes. Examples are:

• human growth hormone (HGH)
• insulin
• human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG)
• adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH)

Health risks include:

• hypertension (high blood pressure)
• heart attacks
• thyroid problems
• severe headaches
• acromegaly (overgrown head, hands and feet)
• diabetes

Blood doping and EPO

Blood doping is the use of certain techniques and substances to increase the red blood cells in your body.

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a peptide hormone that increases the number of red blood cells your body makes and can improve endurance. Health risks include:

• blood clots
• heart attack
• stroke
• pulmonary embolism

Beta blockers

Beta blockers reduce the effects of adrenaline. They slow the heart rate, reducing blood pressure, anxiety and muscle tremors. This may improve the performance of athletes who need a steady hand, such as in archery, shooting, darts and golf.

Health risks include:

• reduced blood flow to your hands and feet
• dizziness
• fatigue (tiredness)
• dry mouth
• drowsiness

Diuretics

Diuretics promote loss of water from the body through urination (weeing). They may be used by athletes to reduce their weight or to flush other drugs out of the body. Health risks include:

• dehydration through increased urination and sodium loss
• dizziness
• muscle cramps
• joint conditions
• increased blood sugar

How are drugs in sport regulated?

Sport Integrity Australia is Australia’s national anti-doping organisation. It aims to protect the integrity of sport and promote clean and fair competition. This is done by actioning anti-doping principles set out in Australian legislation and also meeting international requirements.

Sporting Integrity Australia works closely with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), an international agency set up to monitor the code.

WADA produce The World Anti-Doping Code International Standard Prohibited List, which lists all banned substances. The list is updated each year. The banned substances include:

• anabolic steroids
• peptide hormones and growth factors (such as human growth hormone)
• beta-2 agonists (medicine used for asthma control)
• hormones
• diuretics
• illicit drugs

Activities that can give an athlete an unfair advantage are also banned. Having a blood transfusion to increase the number of red blood cells in the body is an example of this.

Resources and support

For a complete list of prohibited substances visit the WADA website.

To learn more about the use of prohibited substances in sport visit the Sport Integrity Australia website.

To find out more about the harmful effects of drugs in sport or to raise a concern or report an issue, visit Sport Integrity Australia`or call their general enquiries helpline on 1300 027 232.

You can read more about performance-enhancing drugs at Australian Academy of Science.

To find out about the effects of legal and illegal drugs visit the Alcohol and Drug Foundation website.