kickoff - Drug use & abuse

'Kick Off'
'Tackling Mental Health for Rugby League'

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Kick Off...Mental Health for Rugby League

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Drug Use & Abuse

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This section of the website is not about 'scare tactics' or exaggerated information, deception or falsehoods regarding drugs. It is not about 'putting someone down' or 'blaming', 'labelling', 'judging' etc.; it is hopefully realistic, honest and well intentioned; with your welfare being the main priority.

The 'Kick Off' team is not that naive as to suggest you will never use drugs or abuse alcohol. We hope you don't, but we accept that it is most probably the reality of the life of a sportsperson. It is very unfortunate and ironic that taking substances with such negative physical & psychological effect is done by those whose life, career and income is often derived from a sport requiring dedication to optimum physical & psychological condition.

The aim of this section is simply to give you enough necessary information and education regarding these substances in order that you (1) can make an informed decision regarding the use of drugs, & (2) may have the opportunity to avoid potentially destroying your life (or aspects of your life), relationships & family, damaging your performance &/or career in Rugby League. We hope to make you aware of all the negative effects of these substances, despite the short lived, temporary and questionable 'positive' effects experienced.

The 'Kick Off' team is committed to the player. No judgment, no condemnation. We accept you as you are. We simply wish to give you the best chance to have a successful & productive career & life.

Written by J.J.Cale (performed by Eric Clapton)

Link between Drug & Alcohol abuse and Depressive Illnesses

There is strong evidence to suggest a 'link' between the use & abuse of both drugs &/or alcohol, and an underlying 'depressive illness'.

People don't like feeling down. They don't like being depressed, miserable or unhappy. 'Down times' are normal and serve two (2) main purposes. (1) they are human reactions to a negative life experience, incident or event. This is appropriate and necessary for our overall well-being. (2) They serve as a means to motivate a person to acheive, change or modify aspects of their life.

The 2nd point is very relevant & understandable to the Rugby League player. Who of you has felt the 'let down' and 'misery' at having lost a Grand Final? Do you lie down, retire, spend the off-season miserable or lose interst in the next season? One would hope not, particularly your coach or the club. This loss and the feelings attached should, and usually do, motivate you to improve and attack the next season with the intention of winning. Who can forget the scenes of the disconsolate Melbourne Storm players after their loss to Brisbane in 2006? A different story in 2007, though.

Unfortunately, people dislike feeling down and unable to handle 'life's stressors'. They look for ways in which they can 'make themselves feel better', or a way of 'numbing' the pain or 'blocking it out'; even if it's only for a short while.

Drugs & Alcohol can serve this purpose; yet the results & consequences from this temporary measure can have disasterous effects on your life.

The first and most significant point is that these remedies will not 'cure' the problem. When you wake up the next day, they're still there; in fact they may be worse.

Secondly, the measures you adopt to counter your depressive feelings, themselves, have serious side effects and consequences; whether they be physical, psychological, social or emotional. Add in financial, and you've got serious problems.

Thirdly, most of the substances used are 'depressants' in nature and can cause depression. Can you imagine being depressed, or having a depressive illness, and taking a substance that is 100% sure to make your depression worse?

There is no instant cure for depression; there is no magic pill that will suddenly 'take it all away'; there is no immediate solution to most problems. As with training & conditioning for Rugby League, it takes effort.

There is little difference between the need for physical conditioning and psychological conditioning. Both require effort, concentration, determination, committment and discipline. Of course there are other things that will help or that may be necessary such as counselling, medication, support, programs & education etc., but at the end of the day, you are the only one who can make the decision and address the issues with which you are confronted and that are causing your depressed mood.

We at 'Kick Off' are there to support, encourage, guide and advise you; but our primary objective is to 'help you, help yourself'.