The use of drugs to mask other drugs has led to drugs such as diuretics and alcohol being banned substances in many sports. HSC PDHPE requires you to understand these drugs as they are used to mask other drugs, but that are also used to enhance performance in some sports such as: boxing, hore racing, and high altitude sports.
Use of diuretics to mask other drugs
There are three (3) reasons an athlete may use diuretics: appearance, weight class, and masking other drug use. Diuretics cause the body to remove water from blood and excrete it as urine. This dilutes urine and makes positive detection of drugs such as anabolic steroids less likely.
Physical dangers of using diuretics
Diuretic use can lead to:
- dehydration
- headaches
- heart and kidney disease
- poor coordination
- dizziness
- fatigue
- chest pain
- irritability
- depression
- electrolyte imbalance
- impaired hearing and more.
Use of Alcohol to mask other drugs
Alcohol is a diuretic and a depressant. Its effects on the body vary by body size, previous exposure, amount consumed etc. Alcohol has been used by athletes to mask other drugs and is banned in some sports because of its diuretic effect.
Physical dangers of alcohol use
The dangers associated with alcohol use include those above plus:
- nausea, vommitting
- slowed nervous system leading to delayed reaction time, lack of coordination, dizziness etc
- blurred vision
- loss of consciousness
- death