EXCLUSIVE: How Former Pro Athletes Are Tackling The Opioid Crisis With Cannabis

The struggle of professional athletes with opioid addiction is no secret, and many are now turning to cannabis as a potential alternative to painkillers. A few years ago, a cover piece for Playboy titled "8 Former NFL Players Share Their Thoughts on Cannabis" aimed to raise awareness and stimulate change. However, progress has been slow since then. That said, some pro sports leagues now allow athletes to use CBD for medicinal purposes.

Athletes for Care, a non-profit organization, focuses on helping ex-athletes overcome opioid addiction. Member Eben Britton, a former NFL offensive lineman, envisions a future where athletes have easy access to high-quality cannabis education and products. "Part of my vision with Athletes for Care was to create a channel for athletes to have premium access to high-quality cannabis education and products from medical professionals who can provide expert guidance based on each individual's unique needs," he said in an exclusive interview.

Current research suggests that CBD could be an effective treatment for substance addiction. A study from the Scripps Research Institute found that rats treated with CBD were less likely to relapse or exhibit stress-induced drug-seeking behavior than those who were not given CBD. Dr. Bonni Goldstein, a cannabis-focused medical doctor, explains that "cannabis breaks the cycle of pleasure and reward being programmed by opiates… It breaks the drug-seeking message."

Several former athletes have experienced the benefits of CBD first-hand, and they share their stories to encourage others to explore this natural solution. Ex-MMA fighter Bas Rutten, who used CBD oil to overcome an oxycontin addiction, said, "In 2016, I started using CBD from a company called Receptra Naturals to overcome a horrible addiction to painkillers. After having such amazing success staying off opioids with CBD, I decided to start using it every day. Since then, I've noticed I can train harder, it helps manage my chronic pain, I sleep much better, and it's great for calming down after a hard day of work."

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Former NFL player Leonard Marshall, who was diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in 2013, advocates for CBD as a non-addictive alternative to painkillers and other opioids often used to treat chronic pain. Marshall recounts his journey with CBD, saying, "I began exploring the benefits of CBD and quickly discovered it had the potential to help my situation, so I decided to give it a try. I have now been using CBD for five years, and my life has become so fruitful and abundant as a result."

Riley Cote, a former hockey player, also credits CBD for improving his post-career life: "CBD has been instrumental in my post-hockey recovery regimen. It has helped me mitigate the collateral damage from the concussions I sustained during my career; it keeps my anxiety in check, I sleep better, and most of all, it provides me with a sense of general well-being."

By sharing their personal success stories with CBD, athletes like Rutten, Marshall, and Cote hope to inspire others to explore this natural solution for pain, inflammation, anxiety, and sleep problems. They believe that while CBD is not a "silver bullet 'cure-all'", it can certainly provide people with a better quality of life by helping to manage various health concerns.

As more athletes join the movement and share their experiences, the conversation around cannabis and CBD as viable alternatives to opioids is expected to gain momentum. By raising awareness and breaking the stigma associated with cannabis use, these athletes hope to make a lasting impact on the lives of countless individuals who are seeking healthier, non-addictive solutions to pain management and overall well-being.