The debate rages on as experts warn of health problems, depression and even risk of death related to head injuries among current and former NFL players.
It’s the subject of Congressional hearings, numerous medical studies and countless articles. Concussions in pro football may not seem to be worthy of governmental oversight, but it’s a huge problem nonetheless.
A 2000 study of 1,090 former NFL players found that more than 60 percent had suffered at least one concussion in their careers and 26 percent had had three or more.
A 2007 study conducted by the University of North Carolina's Center for the Study of Retired Athletes found that of the 595 retired NFL players who recalled sustaining three or more concussions on the football field, 20.2 percent said they had been found to have depression. That is three times the rate of players who have not sustained concussions.
This is problematic because those who had had concussions reported more problems with memory, concentration, speech impediments, headaches and other neurological problems than those who had not, the survey found. And despite all the studies, there is still not much known about how to handle these injuries long-term.
Of course, pro athletes don't need to suffer a brain injury to become depressed. Even players who are in good physical shape can succumb to depression due to the pressures of such a high-stakes sport. Also, being a hero one season and seemingly forgotten the next would do a number on anyone’s mental health. Many retired athletes struggle to find purpose once their career on the field (or ice or golf course or track) is over.
There have been several instances in recent years of former pro athletes taking their own lives, and the news reports that follow often question whether injuries sustained on the field could have played a role. The recent news that Pro Bowl linebacker Junior Seau had shot himself in the chest reignited the arguments about how pro athletes are treated and whether the toll sports takes on players is too high.
Seau, who played 20 years in the NFL before retiring after the 2009 season, was found dead in his home on May 2 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His family and friends have since announced that he suffered from insomnia and took medication for the problem. Several sources identify that drug as Ambien—a prescription pill commonly prescribed for sleep disorders. The FDA-approved prescribing information for Ambien, also known as zolpidem, warns that it may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in depressed users.
The drug information also instructs users to refrain from taking the drug if they drink alcohol and if they aren’t able to get a full night’s sleep while on the drug. According to interviews conducted by USA Today, Seau did drink alcohol and had been suffering from insomnia for at least seven years.
As the concussion debate continues to swirl in the NFL, some experts say Seau’s sleep disorder could have been related to head blows. Kevin Guskiewicz, a researcher for the University of North Carolina, confirmed to the The Sporting News that sleep disorders are common among those who have suffered traumatic brain injury.
Co-occurring Disorders Help at La Paloma
If you or someone you love needs help with addiction and mental health issues, call La Paloma at the toll-free number on our homepage. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about co-occurring disorders treatment, financing or insurance.
