Cross-Addiction on Campus: More Problems for Student-Athletes

Abstract

Data on 503 students from rural and urban areas were collected from January 2009 to October 2009 to test for cross-addiction of alcohol dependency with disordered gambling among college athletes and nonathletes. To test for alcohol dependency, the Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST) was employed, while the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) was utilized to assess gambling behaviors. Athletes had higher frequencies of cross-addiction. For athletes there was a correlation between scores on the MAST and SOGS. Limitations related to data collection are discussed. Recommendations for further research directed toward the development of programs geared to assist students are given.

RÉSUMÉ

Les données sur 503 étudiants des régions rurales et urbaines ont été recueillies du janvier de 2009 à l’octobre de 2009 pour évaluer pour le trans-penchant de dépendance d’alcool avec le jeu d’argent en désordre parmi les athlètes de collège et les nonathlètes. Évaluer pour la dépendance d’alcool, l’Alcool de Michigan Cachant l’Épreuve (MAST) a été employé pendant que l’Écran de Chênes Sud de Jeu (SOGS) a été utilisé pour évaluer des conduites jouant. Les athlètes avaient de plus hautes fréquences de trans-penchant. Pour les athlètes il y avait une correlation entre les tas sur le MAST et SOGS. Les restrictions rattachées à la collecte de données sont discutées. Les recommandations pour la recherché de plus dirigée vers le développement de programmes destinés pour aider les étudiants sont données.

RESUMEN

Los datos de 503 estudiantes de áreas rurales y urbanas fueron reunidos de enero de 2009 a octubre 2009 para probar para la combinación de la dependencia al alcohol con el vicio de las apuestas entre atletas y no-atletas universitarios. Para probar para la dependencia al alcohol, la Prueba del uso de alchohol de Alcohol de Michigan (MAST) fue empleada, y la Pueba de los Robles del sur (SOGS) fue utilizada para evaluar las conductas de los que apuestan. Los atletas mostraron más frecuencia en la mezcla de alcohol con las apuestas. Para los atletas había una correlación entre los resultados de las pruebas del MAST y del SOGS. Las limitaciones relacionadas con la recolección de datos se discuten aquí. Las recomendaciones para investigación adicional dirigida hacia el desarrollo de programas orientados a ayudar a los estudiantes se incluyen.

Keywords :

• athletes
• cross-addiction
• gambling
• alcohol
• maladaptive

THE AUTHOR

Stephen M. Weiss, Ph.D., Psychology, is an associate professor at Adams State College in Colorado, where he has been employed since 2005. Originally from Stamford, CT, he began his academic career as an instructor at Three Rivers Community College (CT). With a background in Experimental Psychology (Ph.D.; The City University of New York) and Sport Psychology (MS; Springfield College), he has been interested in empirical investigations looking at the maladaptive behaviors of those immersed in the athletic environment. While his main research interests have focused on the gambling problems of these individuals, he has recently expanded this focus by exploring other problem behaviors they sometimes encounter. In these studies, he has examined problems both within the college setting (student-athletes) and afterwards (former athletes). He has also published articles contributing to the literature in the sport psychology/motor learning area.

Notes

1 This often used classification of drinking in the literature is both unscientific and misleading since it does not help one to understand the complex relationships between alcohol's pharmacological actions and the drinker's functioning and adaptation. Editor's note.

2 The journal's style utilizes the category substance abuse as a diagnostic category. Substances are used or misused; living organisms are and can be abused. Editor's note.