While the risk to sporting careers are very real, illicit drug users are also risking their health. All drug use contains a certain degree of risk, and the harms can be physical, psychological and social.
In 2022, the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre acknowledged a large increase in cocaine-related deaths in Australia since 2012, with 398 known deaths in the last five years.
International studies have shown cocaine puts added strain on the cardiovascular system during exercise. The studies found that cocaine use by athletes has been associated with acute and chronic cardiovascular disease, which can&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;nbsp;lead to coronary artery aneurysms, aortic dissection, rupture, vasculitis, and stroke.