Doping in sports and its spread to at-risk populations: an international review

Doping is now a global problem that follows international sporting eventsworldwide. International sports federations, led by the International OlympicCommittee, have for the past half century attempted to stop the spread ofthis problem, with little effect. It was expected that, with educational programs,testing, and supportive medical treatment, this substance-abusing behaviorwould decrease. Unfortunately, this has not been the case. In fact, new, morepowerful and undetectable doping techniques and substances are now abusedby professional athletes, while sophisticated networks of distribution havedeveloped. Professional athletes are often the role models of adolescent andyoung adult populations, who often mimic their behaviors, including the abuseof drugs. This review of doping within international sports is to inform theinternational psychiatric community and addiction treatment professionalsof the historical basis of doping in sport and its spread to vulnerable athleticand non-athletic populations.