Addiction (Drugs and Gambling) Disorders in Athletes

Athletes suffer from some mental health symptoms and disorders at rates equal to or higher than the general population. Addiction disorders, including substance use and gambling disorders, represent conditions by which athletes are disproportionately or uniquely affected relative to the general population. This chapter focuses on these disorders. Specifically, substance use disorders covered in this chapter relate to recreational drugs; ergogenic substance use is covered in a subsequent chapter. There are varied reasons why athletes start to and/or continue to use recreational substances or gamble. Many of these overlap with reasons for use or participation by non-athletes. In most sport, athletes use substances at lower rates than the general population, especially during the competitive season. However, athletes in some sport and across genders use and misuse some substances at higher rates than non-athletes. This chapter will highlight prevalence, reasons for use/participation, and impact on performance of athletes’ participation in gambling and use of the following substances: alcohol, cannabinoids, nicotine, stimulants, and prescription drugs. Finally, prevention and management strategies for addiction disorders in athletes will be delineated.