Australia's AFL Players Found To Be At Risk Following World-First Drinking Study

Main Category: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs
Article Date: 04 Nov 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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What : Authors of a world-first study on the drinking habits of 582 professional AFL players have found that more than half of Australia's professional AFL players consume alcohol during the end-of-season period at levels that could put them at risk of long-term harm.

The overall picture of consumption is one of relative restraint during the pre-season and home-and-away periods, coupled with relatively high levels of consumption outside these periods.

The study, unique among professional sporting codes, was commissioned by the AFL and AFL Players Association, to help the AFL develop an effective approach to responsible alcohol policy and governance. It is published in the latest issue of the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA).

When: Sunday 2 November 2008, 12 noon (Australian Eastern time)

Where: Hannan Room, Level 2, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Rd Melbourne (Near the corner of Commercial and Punt Roads)

Who: Authors of the study:

• Associate Professor Paul Dietze, Burnet Institute & Monash University
  
  
• Rebecca Jenkinson, Burnet Institute's Centre for Population Health
  
  
• Associate Professor John Fitzgerald, University of Melbourne. Associate Professor Fitzgerald is also a member of the AFL's Alcohol Policy Group.

Statistics & more information:

• 582 professional AFL players across Australia were anonymously surveyed on their drinking habits during four periods: pre-season, home-and-away (the playing season), end-of-season, and vacation.
  
  
• While AFL players typically drank two per cent less than the general male population (15 per cent) during the season, 54 per cent reported drinking at risky/high risk levels for long-term harm in the end-of-season period.
  
  
• Individual clubs have their own culture; therefore playing for a specific club can influence drinking behaviour to some extent.
  
  
• Players who drank in public and received free drink cards were more likely to drink at risky levels.
  
  
• Players reported a range of consequences of their drinking, 33 per cent saying it had affected their physical health, 32 per cent reporting an effect on finances, and 26 per cent admitting they had argued or fought while drinking.
  
  
• Marriage and relationships, housework, friendships and study opportunities had also suffered to various extents because of drinking, players reported.

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Source: Janine Sim-Jones
University of Melbourne

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