Substance use is a widespread public health concern in university communities in the United States. Harmful alcohol consumption continues to negatively impact many areas of students’ lives, leading to negative outcomes related to physical and mental health,
academic performance, and general safety. Other forms of substance use, like consumption of cannabis, cocaine, or illicit use of prescription drugs, also have concerning prevalence in this demographic, leading to often similar negative impacts on student well-being. Within college communities, student-athlete substance use is often not studied distinctly from the student body as a whole. This study investigates different forms of substance use, as well as stress and anxiety measures in college student-athletes.
The study’s sample is composed of 188 student-athletes from five different public, midwestern universities of varying athletic competition division levels (Division I, Division II, NJCAA, etc.). Of note, all divisions prohibit the use of cannabis despite varying legality in the sample states. Participants responded to surveys which assessed the following variables: demographics, stress (via the Graduate Stress Inventory), athletic anxiety (via the Sports Anxiety Scale), physical pain (via Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire), control over athletic lifestyle (via Perceived Control Questionnaire), and substance use (via Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, CRAFFT screening test, and NIDA modified ASSIST V2.0). Data analysis was performed using correlations and linear regression modelling.
Results of the analysis found about a quarter of participants endorsed monthly binge drinking (27.8%), and 22% reported past-year cannabis use. Less than 3% of participants reported non-alcohol and non-cannabis substance use (2.5%). Blackouts were reported in 28.3% of participants and driving while intoxicated was found to occur in 23.3% of the sample. Academics and athletics were ranked the top sources of stress in participant’s lives, and elevated pain scores and stress were associated with increased rates of binge drinking. In addition, males and those over 21 years of age reported significantly higher rates of non-alcohol, non-cannabis substance use. Opioid use in the sample was considered higher than the national average (12% vs. 9%)
Takeaway: substance use in student athletes in university settings may be associated with physical pain, stress, and other markers of decreased well-being. Interventions designed for student-athletes must consider the daily stressors this demographic may encounter on a daily basis.