In a series of studies (3 - 6) my colleagues and I observed the same findings of
excessive alcohol use among athletes observed in the UCLA study, as well as gaining a more detailed understanding of the role sports participation plays in heavy drinking.
Excessive alcohol consumption could have a role in these pathways, being closely related to suicide and interpersonal violence, 34 — 36 and alongside other substance misuse, it was found to be associated with suicide in other disadvantaged groups.37 — 41 Despite the lack of exact estimates, illicit drug
use too seems to be a substantial and increasing problem
among travellers.20, 42