About This Program
Athletes face a unique constellation of risk factors for substance use disorders that set them apart from the general population. High-pressure competitive environments, performance anxiety, pressure to compete while injured or in pain, easy access to performance-enhancing drugs and pain medications, emphasis on physical toughness over emotional vulnerability, and the transitional crisis of losing an athletic identity all contribute to addiction vulnerability among athletes. At Trust SoCal, our JCAHO-accredited treatment center in Fountain Valley, California, we provide addiction treatment designed specifically for athletes that acknowledges the unique pressures and identities of competitive sport while providing clinically excellent, evidence-based care.
Many athletes develop substance use disorders as a result of injury management. A sport-related injury leads to prescription pain medication, which the athlete uses not only for pain relief but for performance anxiety and emotional regulation. For young athletes, the pressure to return to play while still injured drives continued opioid use. By the time an athlete recognizes they have a problem, years of medication use may have created significant physiological dependence. Our medical team understands the pharmacology of performance-enhancing drugs, pain medications, and stimulants that athletes misuse and can provide informed, expert treatment.
The identity issue is profound for athletes. Much of their self-worth, social connection, daily structure, and sense of purpose comes from their sport. Entering treatment means stepping away from competition, at least temporarily, which creates a crisis of identity and meaning. Our treatment approach honors athletic identity while helping athletes develop a sense of self that extends beyond sport. We help athletes work toward safe return to sport when clinically and developmentally appropriate, while also helping those whose athletic careers are ending find meaning and purpose in recovery.
Our program includes specialized trauma therapy for sports injuries, grief processing around lost athletic opportunities, mental health treatment for performance anxiety and depression, and support for navigating the complex relationship between sport and recovery. We also help athletes with the practical challenges of returning to their teams or sports organizations with transparency about their treatment while protecting privacy. If you are an athlete or parent of an athlete struggling with addiction, call Trust SoCal today at (949) 280-8360 to discuss treatment options.
