ABSTRACT
This chapter begins by categorizing the biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors that predispose athletes to substance use and perpetuate their addiction. An examination of the available epidemiology of substance use follows to further identify subsets such as sport played or class of substance abused. In order to better guide the sports psychology and sports psychiatry professionals who serve such athletes, the chapter examines a wide range of biopsychosocial interventions that include the role of pharmacologic treatment in withdrawal management and relapse prevention, motivational enhancement and cognitive behavioural therapies, and 12-step programmes. It considers biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors and presents athlete-specific research when available; in its absence, the author draws on research related to substance use disorders in the population at large. The chapter explores questions related to the evaluation of outcomes and puts the clinician’s role into the larger context.
