Pubdate: Mon, 30 Jan 2017
Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB)
Copyright: 2017 The Edmonton Journal
Website: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134
Author: Clare Clancy
Page: A5

RESEARCHER LINKS PLAYING SPORTS TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Athletes who compete at an elite level may be at greater risk of
substance abuse, a University of Alberta researcher says.

Laurie de Grace, who has interviewed 21 people recovering from
addiction, wants to raise awareness about the potential link between
athleticism and the use of drugs and alcohol.

"I was really surprised by the large number of people who had a
substantial sports background," she said.

Her research, published in the journal Psychology of Sport and
Exercise, focused on athletes who played sports such as hockey, rowing
and baseball.

"Teen sports are notorious for a lot of use of drugs and alcohol and
binge-drinking," she said, noting she found the use of cocaine in
athletic circles more common than she initially believed.

"(It's surprising) that they could mask it for so long ... that they
could perform at a high level while still using.

"It seemed when there was a predisposition and when they found
themselves in an environment where drugs and alcohol were available …
the addictions would develop."

Study participants were mainly men, ranging from 28 to 60 years old,
and the bulk of them started using substances during their youth.

"They were dabbling at 14 or 15 years old," she said.

In 2013, a team of researchers from the Canadian Centre on Substance
Abuse (CCSA) presented results of a literature review that looked at
the effects of nonprofessional sport on substance abuse prevention
from ages 10 to 24. The findings suggested sports programs might
prevent illicit drug use but there was also a link with increased
alcohol consumption. Researchers found a lack of Canadian studies on
the subject.

A sub-group of de Grace's interviewees were forced to stop competing
due to injury. For one man who was a competitive rower in high school,
this led to an increased consumption of alcohol.

"He was so emotional at the loss of this sport," de Grace said. "We
should be watching for the kid that seems to be trying too hard ...
making sure they have other things in their life."

De Grace said she wants parents and coaches to be aware that enrolling
teenagers in competitive sports doesn't necessarily equate to healthy
living.
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