Athletes and Celebrities

It seems like all too often, the public sees or hears reports of a popular actor, musician, athlete, or someone else who lives in the public eye “losing it all” to substance abuse. Many would look at these individuals and wonder how or why this seems to happen so easily and so frequently. As with non-celebrities, addiction happens for many reasons. For some, environment, genetics, peer pressure, and family history of addiction all play a potential role. While these can certainly increase the likelihood of substance abuse and addiction for celebrities and athletes, they likely are not the sole cause. For this particular demographic, there are likely other factors that intervene as well. 

Ease of Access

Substance use and addiction are costly. For most, their relationship with addition creates a significant drain on their wallet. Addicts are generally required to find creative ways to obtain their substance of choice as regular employment is often insufficient to meet the growing financial demands of a growing habit. On the other hand, celebrities and athletes generally have a bank account that can sustain addition in the way someone with a “traditional” job cannot. Money and fame often give people easier paths to behaviors that can eventually be self-destructive. Their level of financial security provides a level of access most others do not have. 

Time on Their Hands

Whether between movies, tours, seasons, or shows, celebrities and athletes often have long windows of downtime. During these times, some may find an increased need for stimulation. Many who are part of the entertainment industry in some form, lead lives that are vastly different from traditional American with steady employment, a family to care for, and a mortgage to pay. Musicians, for example, spend a significant amount of time on the road with a certain amount of downtime between shows while they move from venue to venue across the nation. This can lead to problems with drugs and alcohol as idol time often encourages bad choices in these areas.  Suppose one needs to wake up each day and report to work at a structured time. In that case, there is a built-in limitation associated with this type of schedule that limits opportunities for the type of impulsivity that often involves drugs and alcohol. 

Wanting the Dopamine Rush

Performing for a crowd of thousands of screaming fans or seeing your name in lights provides a special kind of “high” most never have the opportunity to feel. The activities that celebrities and athletes consider work often come with a tremendous flood of dopamine into the brain. Dopamine is sometimes referred to as a “feel good” neurotransmitter and is responsible for feelings of satisfaction, happiness, and euphoria. For celebrities and athletes, there is a rush of euphoria that comes with their career path. Alcohol and drugs will also produce the same sense of happiness. When musicians are on tour or athletes are in season, they have the opportunity to experience these feelings several nights a week. But, when they slow down for the off-season or between gigs, the chances to experience a dopamine rush also slows. When this happens, many will seek out alternate means of repeating the experience, therefore, turning to drugs or alcohol.