Managing Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders in Athletes

Substance use and addiction are growing and evolving problems in the general population, with athletes being no exception. Athletes may use substances for experimentation, social acceptance, altering mood, or to enhance performance. Athletes who use substances are at risk of poor athletic performance and of being prohibited from competition. General psychiatrists should be able to understand and treat substance use and addictive disorders in athletes as part of a collaborative multidisciplinary team. In this article, the most common substance and behavioral addictions for athletes are reviewed, as well as their management principles in this population. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2024;54(11):e301–e307.]