NCAA Banned Substances: A Comprehensive Guide for Student-Athletes

Navigating the world of collegiate athletics requires adherence to a complex set of rules and regulations, especially concerning banned substances. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has strict policies in place to ensure fair play and protect the health and well-being of student-athletes. This article provides a detailed overview of the NCAA's banned substances list, aiming to equip student-athletes, athletic staff, and healthcare providers with the necessary information to make informed decisions.

NCAA's Stance on Banned Substances

The NCAA takes a firm stance against the use of banned substances, emphasizing that schools must educate all student-athletes about these regulations. The athletics director or a designated representative is responsible for disseminating the list of banned-drug classes and informing athletes about products that might contain prohibited substances. Regular updates and appropriate departmental procedures should also be communicated effectively.

It's crucial to understand that the NCAA's list isn't exhaustive. Any substance chemically or pharmacologically related to the listed classes is also prohibited. Both the school and the student-athlete are accountable for all substances within a banned-drug class, regardless of whether they've been specifically identified.

Understanding the Banned Drug Classes

The NCAA bans drugs by class, and this approach aligns with the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) list of prohibited classes, with the exception of glucocorticoids and cannabinoids. Examples of substances under each class can be found at ncaa.org/drugtesting.

Anabolic Agents

Anabolic agents generally refer to drugs that increase protein synthesis and tissue building, specifically muscle building and repair.

Anti-Estrogens

Anti-estrogens, such as clomiphene, anastrozole, and letrozole, stimulate the production of testosterone (specifically in humans with testicles). In general, treatment with clomiphene, letrozole, and other anti-estrogens would not qualify for a MEPA in male student-athletes.

Other Classes

The NCAA also prohibits the use of stimulants, narcotics, and other substances and mimetics. A complete list of banned substances can be found on the NCAA website.

The Importance of Consulting Healthcare Professionals

Student-athletes should consult with their primary athletics healthcare provider (e.g., athletic trainer, team physician) about all medications and other products before use. This proactive approach can help prevent inadvertent violations of NCAA regulations.

Nutritional/Dietary Supplements: A High-Risk Area

The NCAA does not approve the use of any specific nutritional/dietary supplement, even if it is available over the counter. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not review or approve nutritional/dietary supplements for safety or effectiveness. Many nutritional/dietary supplements are contaminated with banned substances not listed on the label. Student-athletes have tested positive and lost their eligibility using nutritional/dietary supplements and other products that contain banned substances. Athletics department staff should provide guidance to student-athletes about supplement use, including a directive to have any product checked by appropriate athletics department staff before consuming. THERE IS NO COMPLETE LIST OF BANNED SUBSTANCES.

Medical Exceptions: Navigating Legitimate Medical Needs

The NCAA recognizes that student-athletes may require medication that falls under a banned drug class for legitimate medical purposes. In such cases, a medical exception may be granted. There are two types of medical exceptions:

Read also: Crafting Your NCAA Profile

Medical Exception Pre-Approvals (MEPA): These must be submitted prior to athletics participation.
Medical Exceptions: These are submitted after a positive NCAA drug test.

For all other medical exceptions, a school should submit only after the student-athlete tests positive during an NCAA drug test.

Conditions That May Qualify for a Medical Exception Pre-Approval (MEPA) for Growth Hormone Therapy

Student-athletes with growth-hormone deficiency due to an identifiable, irreversible cause of disease of the hypothalamus and/or pituitary might qualify for a MEPA for growth hormone therapy. The medical documentation may need to include evidence confirming the diagnosis (e.g., evaluation that conforms to most recent national guidelines for growth hormone deficiency). Similarly, those student-athletes that were given growth hormone therapy to treat short stature before the completion of puberty who seek a medical exception pre-approval will need to provide evidence (e.g., evaluations that conforms to most recent national guidelines) confirming the growth hormone deficiency.

ADHD Medications

Yes, medical exceptions for substances in this drug class should be submitted following an NCAA positive drug test. Schools are required to provide written summary of comprehensive clinical evaluation, including original clinical notes of the diagnostic evaluation. The evaluation should include individual and family history, address any indication of mood disorders, substance use, anxiety disorders, and previous history of ADHD treatment and incorporate the DSM criteria to diagnose ADHD.

Testosterone

Student-athletes competing in NCAA men’s sports must have an identifiable cause of testosterone deficiency. The student-athlete may be asked to have repeat testing with a certified and harmonized testosterone assay.

The Medical Exception Process

To apply for a medical exception, the following steps are generally required:

Documentation of Medical Need: The student-athlete's medical record on campus should contain comprehensive documentation of the need for treatment with the banned medication.
Submission of Medical Information: The school must submit the required medical information to the NCAA.
Review Process: The NCAA reviews the submitted documentation to determine if a medical exception should be granted.

It's critical to remember that a medical exception is not automatically granted. The NCAA carefully evaluates each case to ensure that the use of the banned substance is medically justified.

Resources and Further Information

Student-athletes, coaches, and athletic staff can access additional information and resources through the following channels:

NCAA Website: The official NCAA website (ncaa.org) provides comprehensive information about banned substances, drug testing protocols, and medical exceptions.
Athletics Department Staff: Athletic trainers, team physicians, and other members of the athletics department staff can provide guidance and support.
Drug-Testing Program Protocol: Refer to section 8.0 of the NCAA Drug-Testing Program Protocol for detailed information.
Free Sport International: This organization may offer additional resources and support.

Consequences of Violating NCAA Banned Substance Policies

The consequences of violating NCAA banned substance policies can be severe, potentially including:

Ineligibility to compete: A positive drug test can result in immediate ineligibility for NCAA competition.
Loss of athletic scholarship: Student-athletes may lose their athletic scholarships.
Damage to reputation: A violation can damage a student-athlete's reputation and future opportunities.

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