Sports Mehiläinen study: One in four athletes use substances to relax, are coaches and athletes living in different realities when it comes to substance use?

04.12.2025 - A study conducted by Sports Mehiläinen* shows that Finnish athletes use substances to relax and manage stress. The findings suggest that sports clubs and coaches are not well equipped to identify or intervene in substance use. More than half of the clubs lack clear substance guidelines, and coaches and athletes have very different perceptions of how common substance use is. The survey received responses from 110 athletes and 50 coaches.

According to the new Sports Mehiläinen study, substance use is part of everyday life for athletes as well. Although the most common reason for using substances is fun and celebration (81 percent), some athletes also turn to substances for stress management (16 percent) and relaxation (24 percent).

"We still have a lot to do when it comes to supporting especially young athletes in dealing with emotions related to their personal development, training and competition in a healthy way. Substances weaken recovery, performance and overall health, and directly affect an athlete’s development," says Sports Mehiläinen physician Riina Komonen.

Nicotine pouches and cannabis use are becoming more common

In recent years, the use of nicotine pouches has increased sharply among athletes. Almost nine out of ten athletes have consumed mild alcoholic beverages. Cannabis use is also becoming more common among young adults, despite the fact that cannabis is an illegal narcotic.

"Experimentation and use of cannabis have increased significantly in Finland as well. It is most common among 15 to 34 year olds. This suggests that at least experimentation is likely to be fairly common among athletes too. A rapid change has also occurred in the rising popularity of nicotine pouches according to the latest school survey among 13 to 17 year olds," says Mehiläinen’s head of substance abuse services, physician Kaarlo Simojoki.

In the Sports Mehiläinen study, 13 percent of athletes reported daily substance use and 50 percent reported occasional use. Only 12 percent said they do not use any substances. Athletes themselves are not concerned about their own use.

Coaches and athletes see substance use very differently

While almost 90 percent of athletes have seen substance use in their team or club, only 14 percent of coaches have observed substance use among athletes.

Athletes most commonly identify the use of nicotine pouches (74 percent) and mild alcoholic beverages (64 percent).

Mehiläinen experts emphasize the need for early intervention and open discussion within clubs. As many as 57 percent of athletes said their club or team has no substance guidelines, or they are unaware of any.

"It is important for clubs to create clear guidelines that define boundaries for substance use in sports activities and support early intervention. Patterns of substance use are learned young. If use continues during an active sports career, it further increases the threshold for seeking help.

We should remember that a coach is a role model, and setting a positive example is especially important for young athletes. Everyone working in sports shares the responsibility to offer young people the chance to train in a healthy environment," Simojoki concludes.

*) The Sports Mehiläinen survey was carried out electronically between 15 September and 24 October 2025. Mehiläinen conducted the study based on challenges identified by experts in athletes’ wellbeing. The survey was sent to 260 partner clubs of Sports Mehiläinen and received responses from 110 athletes and 50 coaches. Among the athletes, 52 percent were women and 47 percent men. The age profile was young, with 76 percent under 25 years and 24 percent over 25. Among coaches, 28 percent were women and 70 percent men. Age distribution among coaches: 32 percent 18 to 34 years, 34 percent 35 to 44 years, and 24 percent over 45 years. The sample is not weighted to represent the national population.

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Source: Urheilu Mehiläinen