Treatment over Punishment:
Advancing New Anti-Doping
Strategies
John Gleaves, PhD
The California State University, Fullerton
What is WADA’s Goal
• “WADA works towards a vision of a world
where all athletes compete in a doping-free
sporting environment.”
WADA Has Three Anti-Doping Prongs
Focused on Athletes
Education
Testing
Punishment
WADA’s three prongs have made progress, but
still room for improvement
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
Users
Even if we acknowledge 40%
progress, we still see
30%
room for improvement. 20%
Positive Tests
Punishments
10%
Representation; Not actual data
2011
2010
2009
2008
2005
2002
2003
2001
2000
1999
0%
Perhaps consider adding a fourth option:
Treatment
Education
Treatment
Testing
Punishment
Two reasons to consider treatment as a viable
option
1. Pathology may influence choice to dope
2. Doping in sport may result in dependence
Conformity to sporting norms
From Jay Coakley, Sport in Society
“Overconformity” responsible for athletes
some doping in sport
Result of extreme devotion to
pursuit of athletic excellence
If overconformity is responsible for some
doping, those cases would represent
pathology and not cheating
Does this change how sports should address the issue?
Second; doping in sport may result in
dependence
81.3% of substances WADA identified in tests are
associated with physical dependence.
At least some of those athletes may have a
dependence
(some may not)
Dependence may result in recidivism
or escalating drug issues
For example: Marco Pantani
• Multiple doping offenses
• Death due to overdose
All should receive education, many will dissuaded by
sanctions, at least some will need treatment
Treatment
Sanctions
Preventative
Education
Practical benefit to WADA’s goal:
Treatment may prevent future antidoping violations
Athletes who have addiction and are not treated
will be likely to return to addicted behavior
when they return to competition
Four suggestions
1. Decrease negative rhetoric surrounding athletes who test
positive.
2. Develop treatment programs specifically designed for
athletes with doping-related needs
3. Encourage athletes with incentives to complete treatment
programs
4. Invest in research designed to understand psychological
factors that drive athletes to dope in order to identify
preventive measures.