The usage of performance-enhancing drugs (“PEDs”) in esports has been the subject of rumour for some time now. These performance-enhancing substances are not steroids and HGH used in other sports; they are stimulants and neuroenhancers. Athletes use too many stimulants like Adderall, Ritalin, Selegiline and other drugs that work similarly to help them focus and feel better.
Due to the lack of drug testing by professional eSports leagues and tournament organizers, there have only been a few cases of PED use during games that have been proven. The use of drugs in this way has unfortunately spread, as evidenced by a new case.
Drug Use in eSports
Professional players have talked about how common drug use is in competitive esports in many interviews. Timo “Taimou” Kettunen, a player in the Overwatch League, said in November 2018 that more than 20 players in the league used Adderall. Unsurprisingly, there was no drug testing in the hugely popular Overwatch League of 2018–19. After three years of Taimou and various media sources bringing up the matter, nothing has changed.
In an interview on YouTube, professional CS: GO player Kory “Semphis” Friesen said that his whole team had used Adderall during a tournament with a $250,000 prize pool. A former Gears of War (GoW) pro named Jimmy “High Distortion” Moreno has made the shocking allegation that more than half of the GoW community uses Adderall.
There is no way to determine how common the problem is in esports. The only way to figure out how often it happens is if professionals talk about it.
Why Do Athletes Use Performance-Enhancing Drugs?
A Desire for Achievement
There comes a time in every athlete’s career when a win can change everything, and a loss can be the end. Sometimes, a single sporting event will be spoken about for decades. For those who make a living competing in sports, fun is secondary to success. Many times, the cost of success doesn’t matter as long as the goal is reached.
The Physical Form of an Athlete
In most sports, physicality only matters as a performance aid. In several sports, appearance or physical form is vital to winning. The most common PED in bodybuilding is anabolic steroids. 19% of bodybuilders admit to using steroids; studies without self-reporting are more accurate. However, numerous additional medicines are utilized in sports as alternatives or additions. Some may not realize they are utilizing steroids. Many bodybuilding products hide steroid content.
The Future at Large
PED users worry about the future. Many student-athletes rely on athletic college scholarships. Scholarships require high performance before the entrance exam and throughout college. Tuition is rising, so these scholarships are crucial. 35% of employees demand a bachelor’s degree, 36% a high school diploma or less, and the majority don’t pay liveable wages. Young athletes feel pushed to utilize performance-enhancing drugs.
“Get more sports news, cricket news, and football updates, log on to sportsdigest.in. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter and Subscribe to our YouTube Channel.”
