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The Signs of Drug Abuse Aren’t Always Obvious

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The Signs of Drug Abuse Aren't Always Obvious

The Signs of Drug Abuse Aren’t Always Obvious

The signs of addiction aren’t always obvious. Some are able to perform at incredible levels without being suspected of having a dependency issue. This was proven again recently when an Australian Olympian revealed his addiction to methamphetamine.

Platform diver Matt Mitcham, who won gold in the 10-meter platform in 2008, said his addiction to meth just about took him out of contention a year before recent summer Olympics. He tells all in his book "Twists and Turns," which was released last week.

The pressures of performing at the level that Mr. Mitcham and his competitors compete at can be too intense for the average person to handle. It was for Mr. Mitcham, who after winning gold in 2008 was still ranked second in the world, a distinction that was failure in his mind. To cope with what he perceived as a failure, he turned to the powerful and life changing stimulant known as meth.

Meth is a psychostimulant that increases alertness and concentration. It can also bring on euphoric feelings, which is what keeps people in a depressed state. Addiction begins as the brain stops creating dopamine on its own and depends on meth to provide the boost needed to elevate mood.

While the long term effects can be devastating to some, Mr. Mitcham was able to keep his use a secret from those around him. A member of the Australian Olympic Committee said that he had "no idea" that Mr. Mitcham was taking an illicit drug. However, the diver’s admission to having a drug problem has prompted the committee to require its athletes to disclose any drug issues, whether they are recreational or performance enhancing, past and present.

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