The importance of understanding motives for prescription substance use and misuse in sport

The use and misuse of prescription substances in the broader community, and among athletes in particular, is receiving increased attention, and one Australian sporting code is introducing testing for some of these substances. While testing in sport occurs in part to protect the health of the athlete, our responses to positive notifications are often punitive. Given that some prescription substances, such as opioids, are used to treat pain, and use has among athletes has been linked to pain sustained during sporting competition, understanding the prevalence and motivations of use among this group is important. Equally so is how the sporting community responds to this growing issue.