PriMera Scientific Medicine and Public Health (ISSN: 2833-5627)

Research Article

Volume 3 Issue 6

Drug And Alcohol Use In College Athletes

Keri D Larsen*, Bovorn Sirikul, Myia Graves, Karen L Feirman, Eryn Brannagan and Rylie Broussard

November 28, 2023

DOI : 10.56831/PSMPH-03-105

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Abstract

Drug and alcohol use is a major public health concern in the United States, as college-aged adults seem to be at the forefront of national statistics due to the commonality on campuses. Research is coming out that determines further understanding of what causes college students to drink and use drugs, but there is a lack of knowledge and literature on the point of view of college athletes. The current study used an online system, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), to address different aspects and consistency of the usage of drugs and consumption of alcohol. The study observed tendencies of college athletes, N=243, M(age)= 19.8, that participated over many sports including baseball, football, men’s basketball, men’s cross country, men’s track, softball, volleyball, women’s basketball, and women’s track. Results of the survey showed that these students had their first sip of alcohol and tried marijuana for the first time at an early age. The survey also showed over half of the participants admitted to binge drinking in the past month, as well as collectively using alcohol and marijuana in the past 30 days as well, among other statistics. Findings and discussion determine that college student athletes are more likely to binge drink, and less likely to engage in drug usage, due to being strictly monitored and regimented with their athletic commitments and having the feeling of missing out on college experiences. These results suggest that more alcohol and marijuana educational programs should further target student-athletes.

Keywords: alcohol; drug use; marijuana; binge drinking; college athletes; college

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