Prevalence of problem drinking and alcohol related problems among team sports players

The aim of the present study was to assess the reasons and the pattern of alcohol consumption and the prevalence of alcohol related problems among professional soccer and basketball players. Psychometric instrument included Russian version of "AUDIT". The results demonstrated presence of significant alcoholization of sportsmen, which was reflected in the absence of responders abstaining from alcohol, preference for strong alcoholic beverages, high mean "AUDIT" score (7,4 ± 3,1) and alcohol consumption (401,7 ± 271,2 ml of ethanol per month). About one third of sportsmen consumed alcohol at dangerous level. The typical pattern of alcohol consumption was characterized by frequent intake of alcohol and consumption of 5 and more drinks on a typical day of drinking. About 93% of athletes experienced alcohol related problems.