Pro Players and Drugs

M

Mr441

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Someone once told me that all top pool pros take some kind of drug while playing in pro tournaments. I remember being disgusted by this, then I thought that
it may not be true, or at least not true for all players. This was quite a few years ago but since then I've heard references to pros and drugs now and then.
Is this true? Please someone tell me it's not true of all pros. I don't mean gamblers, I mean top tournament pros. I can't imagine that someone like Ralf Souquet is playing on drugs, but I guess I could be wrong.


.
 
Mr441 said:
Someone once told me that all top pool pros take some kind of drug while playing in pro tournaments. I remember being disgusted by this, then I thought that
it may not be true, or at least not true for all players. This was quite a few years ago but since then I've heard references to pros and drugs now and then.
Is this true? Please someone tell me it's not true of all pros. I don't mean gamblers, I mean top tournament pros. I can't imagine that someone like Ralf Souquet is playing on drugs, but I guess I could be wrong.


.
Click to expand...

I have never heard of that. What you may have heard discussed is the fact that during marathon sessions (gambling sessions that would last for days) some of us engaged in what is commonly known as "chemical warfare". I was a road player, but I was also addicted to amphetamines at the time. I say this openly today because I have been clean and sober for over 18 years. Does it still exist? Probably. I can just speak from my own experience. Many people that know me can attest to the fact that I am paying a heavy price (healthwise) for engaging in that activity. I do not recommend that anybody do what I did. Many of the people I ran with are dead. They died as young men. More times than not, drugs were involved in one way or another.

Do ALL pros use drugs? I doubt it. Try not to sweep every pro into one pile and dismiss them as drug users. On a case to case basis you will find many players that have similar battles like mine. It does not make them monsters. We all make mistakes. Rodney Morris is a prime example of a player that has been down several dark roads, yet he whenever you see him these days he ALWAYS has a smile on his face. After I cleaned up my act, I became of all things - a cop. And- I was good at it BECAUSE of my past experiences. I made a post on RSB several years ago entitled "Drugs Will Ultimately Kill You". I wrote this from a perspective of a recovering addict/alcoholic, a pool player, a cop, and from the perspective of a human being. Drugs are never good, and they are never worth it in the long run.

Drugs Will Ultimately Kill You
 
I doubt if many of the top touring pros are using drugs. I don't know that they could develop theirs skills to the point that they have under the influence of narcotics, or maintain them at that level.

I do know that a lot of the good local players and road players I've known have been methamphetamine users. I have seen a lot of wasted talent because of this. For some reason they think it helps them get through the marathon playing sessions, and that may be true...for a while. What I've seen in the longer run is a bunch of ruined lives. Several of them going to jail, a few of them dying...divorces, loss of property, a couple just seemed to disappear off the face of the earth. I haven't seen it do anything good for anyone yet.
 
GeraldG said:
I doubt if many of the top touring pros are using drugs. I don't know that they could develop theirs skills to the point that they have under the influence of narcotics, or maintain them at that level.

I do know that a lot of the good local players and road players I've known have been methamphetamine users. I have seen a lot of wasted talent because of this. For some reason they think it helps them get through the marathon playing sessions, and that may be true...for a while. What I've seen in the longer run is a bunch of ruined lives. Several of them going to jail, a few of them dying...divorces, loss of property, a couple just seemed to disappear off the face of the earth. I haven't seen it do anything good for anyone yet.
Click to expand...


Drugs In pool like any sport thay r there, And if u feel u have to take them to win the u r a Loser from the start .. DRUGS never i'll stop playin 2 day if u had to do that Shit to win ...
 
Drugs and Pool

Back in the 60's and early 70's, I would have to say 50% of the pros were using stimulants. I worked in 2 pool halls and I know. Just about every road player who came into Jack & Jills in Arlington, VA. were using. No names here.
I also used. That is why I quit playing. When I quit using about 25 years later, I came back to pool. I am still playing today. Blackjack is correct, drugs kill. Results of my use, I don't think I will live past 70. That gives me 15 years left. I have to work 8 of them. What am I going to do? Live every day to the fullest.
Don Purdy :cool:
 
Mr441) Is this true? Please someone tell me it's not true of all pros. I don't mean gamblers said:
Howdy,
It is not true.Not all pros do.Very very few do.I know for sure.cheers
Vagabond
Click to expand...
 
Well, I think I can safely speak for the majority of the lady pros and say that they definitely do not use drugs. As for the men, I also know many that do not (or did not) use drugs. So at the very least, I can assure you that it is patently false that all top pros use drugs in tournament play.
 
I used to play in the local tournaments, and gamble after smoking some marijuana. Surprisingly enough, I actually play much better while high. I guess it's because I'm more relaxed. I don't think about the money or what's at stake. I play like crap if I've had a few drinks. I no longer do drugs anymore.
 
Drugs

I can say that in the 1980's I had done my fair share of Nose Candy with a few pro's, But it was the 80's you could just say you where having fun. Nobody thinks about the Consequences until there in there mid Forties. Bottom line think before you react.....or don't start thinking until your 70. :D
 
The focus of the thread thus far has been on illegal substances. What about prescription medications such as anti-anxiety or beta-blockers to help calm the nerves?
 
Mr441 said:
Someone once told me that all top pool pros take some kind of drug while playing in pro tournaments. I remember being disgusted by this, then I thought that
it may not be true, or at least not true for all players. This was quite a few years ago but since then I've heard references to pros and drugs now and then.
Is this true? Please someone tell me it's not true of all pros. I don't mean gamblers, I mean top tournament pros. I can't imagine that someone like Ralf Souquet is playing on drugs, but I guess I could be wrong.


.
Click to expand...


I've heard this before too. I was told that it's
nearly "impossible" to play at the highest level in
pro tournaments without some kind of drug aid because
without it the pressure "would kill you". I didn't
really believe it at the time and believe it even
less now.
 
Fore Rail said:
The focus of the thread thus far has been on illegal substances. What about prescription medications such as anti-anxiety or beta-blockers to help calm the nerves?
Click to expand...


Well I can tell you a year and a half ago my wife left me and
I lost my job a week later and I was a wreck my Doctor put me on
Zoloft and although it had many bad side effects it did serve its purpose
at the time and it positively gave me nerves of steel never have i played better under pressure


but i will give this warning to any one thinking this is cool
would you trade your libido , your ability to get an erection ,
any ambition you have in life and elevate your blood pressure 15 point
to have steady nerves ... i really hope not
 
Zoloft is what's called an SSRI
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor. It's used for depression.
Some others like Effexor are SNRI'S
Serotonin and Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors prescribed for the same thing.
Aside from cocaine, and street Meth, all the stimulants such as amphetamine, methamphetamine, etc etc can be obtained with a prescription.
I've seen lots of abuse in pool, even by the pro's

Heck...even the other day at the expo, my buddy watched as one of the guys in a big game, got slipped a pill by his backer, and downed it with his soda. He told me as soon as it happened, cause we had the whole drug conversation a few days before. The pill guy ended up demolishing the other guy.

Most of the other prescription meds that are for anxiety, like valium, are a sedative of some sort.

And then you have your Anti Panic agents like PAXIL. That stop you from flipping out over nothing.

I guess it's kind of like the STEROID controversy. What lengths would one go to be at their best.

But as much as i can't stand losing to a guy that is all AMPED UP, i have been witness to some pretty unbelievably phenomenal displays of pool BECAUSE of drugs. It's a shame, but it's true.

SUPERSTAR
 
Just reading this thread makes my heart beat faster. I'd be scared to use any stimulants. I'd rather be a little anxious at tornaments...

Besides, confidence can be gained the natural way I think. Through your game. Events outside of pool can also have influence...Nothing like a nice girl to lift you up... :D

Seriously, at professional Euro tour, no drinking or smoking is allowed. There are also random drug tests...
 
I remember a guy that hustled the phall I used to work at. He was there for a couple of months. One of the last nights he was there, i hope the hustle was off by now, He smoked pcp and drank about 15 beers and played the most phenomenal pool I have ever seen. Not 1 sessiom, but aabout 5 hours worth. Kick safes where he would thin the ob or hit it full and make the cb roll safe. He did what he wanted and gave our best player the 8/breaks.
 
predator said:
Just reading this thread makes my heart beat faster. I'd be scared to use any stimulants. I'd rather be a little anxious at tornaments...

Besides, confidence can be gained the natural way I think. Through your game. Events outside of pool can also have influence...Nothing like a nice girl to lift you up... :D

Seriously, at professional Euro tour, no drinking or smoking is allowed. There are also random drug tests...
Click to expand...

Yeah, I despise playing under the influence of some drug or chemical... I have personally already given a sample for the anti-doping organisation here in Finland and the result came up clean (phew ! :p ). But, as far as I know, there aren't any doping tests in any tournaments in the US...
 
Jerry Forsyth said:
Many of the players on the Senior Tour are Viagra-heads.

-Jerry
Click to expand...

Yeah, I take a Viagra and a sleeping pill every night. It keeps me from rolling out of bed.
 
Fore Rail said:
The focus of the thread thus far has been on illegal substances. What about prescription medications such as anti-anxiety or beta-blockers to help calm the nerves?
Click to expand...


They DEFINITELY help and don't necessarily make you feel out of whack or high. You just don't have the shakes, tremors, or muscle tightening normally associated with nerves acting up that affect the stroke. One might want to do everything to elevate their blood pressure just so they can be prescribed legally by a doctor on an ongoing basis.
I had someone once tell me that a bunch of concert pianists and competition pianists take it because their fingers are so sensitive to nervousness and moving so rapidly, that they can't afford to have any tension or they'll blow the whole piece.

Inderal by day....amphetamines by night is the way to go. Do they take it? only their pharmacist (or dealer) knows for sure.
Me...I take vitamins.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top