Opioids and Poker Players

The world of poker stars is a world of glamour that comes with its own set of pits and perils.

Sometimes the pressure of being a successful poker pro or some other personal or professional cause gets to the individual and they turn to abuse drugs and opioids.

There have been several high-profile instances of professional poker players who have struggled with substance abuse. For example:

1. Stu Ungar is considered one of the greatest poker players of all time, but he also had a well-known drug addiction, particularly cocaine. His substance abuse ultimately contributed to his untimely death at the age of 45.
   
2. Chris Ferguson is a successful professional poker player who has won numerous World Series of Poker (WSOP) events. However, he admitted to struggling with addiction to prescription painkillers in the past.
   
3. T.J. Cloutier is another successful professional poker player who has won numerous WSOP events. He has also been open about his past struggles with drug addiction.
   
4. Barry Greenstein is a successful professional poker player and author who has won numerous World Series of Poker (WSOP) events. He has been open about his past struggles with addiction to prescription painkillers.
   
5. Marco Traniello is a professional poker player who has won numerous WSOP events. He has also struggled with substance abuse in the past, including addiction to prescription painkillers.
   
6. Antonio Esfandiari is a professional poker player who has won numerous WSOP events and is considered one of the best tournament players in the world. He has also struggled with addiction in the past, including cocaine and other drugs.
   
7. Faraz Jaka is a professional poker player who has won numerous WSOP events and is considered one of the top tournament players in the world. He has also struggled with addiction in the past, including to prescription drugs.

It's important to note that while these individuals have struggled with substance abuse, they have also sought help and worked to overcome their addiction. Many professional poker players are able to enjoy the game and compete at the highest levels without resorting to drug abuse.

While these examples show that drug abuse can be a problem in the world of professional poker, it's crucial to note that the vast majority of poker players do not abuse drugs.