Retirement is a huge life transition for a professional athlete. The majority of retired athletes have been competitors all their lives — it’s what they know. It’s what they do.
featuGiven the uncertainty and emotions that can come with retirement, it isn’t surprising to find that a number of pro athletes battle addiction once they’re done playing. Some struggle with substance abuse in the form of steroids or pain killer addiction while they’re still playing, and it continues long after they’ve retired their number.
Many experts note that painkillers are a gateway to heroin use.