{"id":197971,"date":"2025-10-08T16:53:14","date_gmt":"2025-10-08T16:53:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/197971\/"},"modified":"2025-10-08T16:53:14","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T16:53:14","slug":"cocaine-one-of-the-greatest-risks-to-fighters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/197971\/","title":{"rendered":"Cocaine – one of the greatest risks to fighters"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cocaine \u2013 one of the greatest risks to fighters<\/p>\n

By Margaret Goodman MD\u2014VADA President and Clean Boxing Program Administrator<\/p>\n

According to a New York Times June 27, 2025, article, \u201cCocaine is the Fastest-Growing Illegal Drug Worldwide\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0They note that per a United Nations report, \u201cAn estimated 25 million people used cocaine worldwide in 2023\u2014up from 17 million a decade earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n

In recent months, VADA has had more than one fighter test positive for cocaine (its metabolite benzoylecgonine).\u00a0\u00a0VADA\u2019s substance panel includes stimulants even out of competition\u2014this includes cocaine.\u00a0\u00a0In addition to the fact that stimulants including cocaine are performance-enhancing, anything that is prohibited during competition should be prohibited year-round.\u00a0\u00a0We wish the World Anti-Doping Agency would include stimulant use for out-of-competition testing, but that\u2019s a discussion for another time.<\/p>\n

Stimulants like cocaine remain in our CBP\/VADA testing for good reason:<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cocaine use can lead to several neurologic complications including aneurysm formation and bursting, ischemic stroke (a stroke due to lack of blood flow) along with brain hemorrhage.\u00a0\u00a0The latter is the #1 cause of death in fighters.<\/p>\n

Neurology,\u00a01996 study\u2014almost 60% of non-traumatic brain bleeds were associated with cocaine use.\u00a0\u00a0So, let\u2019s combine this with getting hit in the head for a living!\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We can debate the inherent risks fighters face during sparing and in a bout, but cocaine or stimulant use\u00a0even when not training\u00a0can amplify the risk of brain injuries when training or competing.\u00a0\u00a0Hope this can serve as a wake-up call to many\u2014including those overseeing combat sports<\/p>\n

WBC sidenote \u2013 A boxer, just like any athlete from<\/p>\n

any sport, can fall in the difficulties of making large amount of money in a short time which comes with fame and dramatic changes in lifestyle; It is only common that with fame and glory comes temptations and a group of people who will see you as an opportunitty to have fun, get gifts and trips and fun.<\/p>\n

Please be aware, you are not alone, you have your family and friends, your trainer and manager and you have the WBC as we will always be in your corner.<\/p>\n

Do not use drugs, recreational ones or performance enhancing drugs are dangerous and can be deadly.<\/p>\n

Feel free to contact us directly in a direct manner by writing to contact@wbcboxing.com<\/a> or for an intimate private message our President Mauricio Sulaiman at president@wbcboxing.com\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

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