The Real College Basketball Madness

The Real College Basketball Madness

The Overdose Death of a Cheerleader

By: Tim Myers

While you fill out your college basketball tournament bracket this year, as you cheer on your favorite team and dunk another wing into ranch dressing, I want you to think for a minute about who you’re cheering for.

college sports overdose

You may think you’re cheering on your favorite team, but what you’re really doing is spending time idolizing the NCAA, an institution partly responsible for the death of one of it’s own. Danielle Cogswell, a former University of Louisville cheerleader, died of an overdose in the summer of 2014.

On July 28th, the body of University of Louisville cheerleader Danielle Cogswel was found in an off-campus student-housing complex with ties to the University. The Associate Athletic Director called her death, “saddening.” I call her death criminal.

The twenty-two year old Danielle died from an overdose of heroin, amphetamines, and Xanax. Let me say that again – heroin, amphetamines, and Xanax. Based on the sheer quantity of chemicals in her system, it’s safe to say this wasn’t a one time only, experimentation overdose. Danielle had a serious problem and this is where fault can be, or should have been, pinned on the NCAA and the university.

Dangerous Student Athlete Standards

The University of Louisville is required by the NCAA to do drug screenings of all student-athletes. But guess what? Cheerleading isn’t an NCAA sanctioned sport.

These girls fling themselves over three feet in the air day in and day out. They flip, tumble and, in most cases, are the star attraction of every home and away game. They compete in competitions and their athletic skill is on par with their male counterparts.

The NCAA, though, doesn’t feel these female student athletes deserve the same level of attention to their health as the rest of the student athletes. The tennis team, swimming team, and even the badminton team are required to take drug tests.

The reason that cheerleaders are not tested is simple. They’re required to look good, not perform well.

College basketball players and football players are asked to perform at the highest level, bringing in huge endorsement contracts, advertisers, and boosters. They drug test their athletes to prevent the school from being held accountable for infractions that would impose sanctions. In turn, these would strip the university of the dollars their male athletes earn for the school. So, in the process of making sure they covered their butts from losing money, the school let Danielle slip through the cracks.

Amphetamines, Xanax and heroin promote weight loss. It’s no wonder the university doesn’t test the cheerleaders. Had the NCAA required testing for cheerleaders, Danielle might have gotten the help she needed.

Her coach Todd Sharp said that Danielle was, “an elite gymnast in the upper echelons of our program.” Apparently being an elite gymnast doesn’t mean you’re an athlete and it doesn’t mean the NCAA cares about your health.

A Disturbing Response

Danielle’s story was carried in the national press for a minute or two. It was, however, nothing compared to the coverage a male point guard or god forbid a quarterback would have gotten.

university of Louisville cheerleader

Just search Google for “college sports overdose” and you’ll see nothing for pages and pages but the story of Len Bias. Len Bias died of a cocaine overdose in 1986. Danielle died this year.

Why the NCAA doesn’t drug test cheerleaders I don’t know. Why they don’t consider cheerleading a sport I don’t know. These women are athletes and they deserve just as much care and attention as everybody else. So, will these policies change now that Danielle is gone? Nope.

When asked after Danielle’s death if the University of Louisville will increase drug prevention and education options for cheerleaders and dance teams, Christine Simatacolos, the Associate Athletic Director, responded, “We are constantly reviewing our policies to be sure we are providing the best possible support.”

Fantastic, because after one of your students dies of a drug overdose what really makes a difference is a save your own butt, politically correct answer. Saving your own butt is what brought us to Danielle’s death in the first place.

Hey, Associate Athletic Director Christine Simatacolos, this is what you should have said, “Your goddamn right we will, we will do what ever it takes to make sure this never ever happens again.”

There you go Christine. Next time a young woman dies at your school, that should be your answer.

Why is Xanax Addictive?

An Explanation For the Addictiveness of Xanax

Anti-anxiety medication has become a huge business in modern society! Among anti-anxiety medication, benzodiazepines are the most popular. Among benzodiazepines, Xanax is the most popular. So, that makes Xanax the most popular (and profitable!) anti-anxiety med.

Why is Xanax Addicting

Just how bad is Xanax addiction? Well, since 1983, it’s been the most frequently prescribed benzo. What does this mean in numbers though? In 2007, over 37.5 million Xanax prescriptions were written. That’s a lot.

See, here’s the thing about using Xanax as the main form of treatment for anxiety – it causes people to become addicted! Xanax addiction isn’t good. It poses significant health hazards, which have yet to be addressed on a large scale. Not to mention, the risk of developing a serious Xanax addiction often goes unspoken, yet the threat is certainly real.

This guide exposes the addictive properties of Xanax and highlights the true dangers of this medication.

Xanax Treats Symptoms, But Ignores Causes

Most benzodiazepines provide immediate relief, in lieu of a permanent solution. This is 100% true of Xanax. Treating anxiety with Xanax fails to address the emotional source of anxiety, instead focusing on altering brain chemistry to improve one’s mood. A burst of instantaneous calm doesn’t promote long-term wellbeing. No, it produces a habitual reliance on the drug. This reliance (often called addiction!) causes a physiological need for the drug, whenever any psychological disturbances occur. After a period of time, often a matter of only a few weeks of daily use, Xanax causes physical addiction as well.

The Xanax induced state of calm isn’t conducive to any productive behavior. It isn’t conducive to learning how to solve stressful situations. Instead, the anti-anxiety effects instill tendencies of lethargic procrastination. Ultimately, this form of Xanax addiction hinders any potential efforts to correct difficult situations.

Withdrawal Effects

Once physical addiction sets in, the lack of Xanax is worse than any level of anxiety the medication was originally designed to treat! Once physically addicted, people without psychological dependency issues, or a family history of addiction, still need to take Xanax to prevent severe physical symptoms of withdrawal. As a result, Xanax addition needs to be patiently combated, instead of a “all at once” form of treatment. Besides an increase in anxiety and agitation, Xanax withdrawal can produce insomnia, nausea, vomiting, nightmares, hallucinations, seizures, and heart failure! Fatal instances of seizure and heart failure have been reported.

Attempting an immediate cessation of Xanax isn’t recommended! A medical detox should always, ALWAYS, be used.

Ease of Access

One of the largest reasons for the epidemic of Xanax addiction is the drug’s widespread availability. Remember, Xanax is the most prescribed benzo, and often used as a cure-all for anything anxiety related. Although the FDA recommends against prescribing Xanax to those with prior addiction issues, histories of substance abuse can be hard to validate. Also, Xanax addiction can be overlooked because the drug is so socially acceptable. Even people that don’t have their own prescriptions can easily obtain Xanax through friends and relatives. The fact that this is illegal doesn’t deter those in the throes of a serious Xanax addiction.

Solutions

Substance abuse treatment exists specifically for the treatment of Xanax, and other, addiction. The safest solution is to first implement a strict taper regimen. This allows Xanax to in your body to slowly leave. This micro-managing method can be self-administered, but it’s wise to seek professional consultation. Follow your taper with inpatient or out-patient treatment.

There are vast support networks available for the treatment of Xanax addiction. Online resources also exist. In fact, this website proves comprehensive information on how to rise above addiction. No one should have to suffer alone with the painful effects of excessive medication reliance. With the right resources, anyone can overcome Xanax addiction.