Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2020 Nov;30(6):544-549.
doi: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000628.

Reasons for Prescription Opioid Use While Playing in the National Football League as Risk Factors for Current Use and Misuse Among Former Players

Eugene M Dunne  1 , Catherine W Striley  2 , Zachary L Mannes  1 , Breton M Asken  1 , Nicole Ennis  1 , Linda B Cottler  2
Affiliations

Reasons for Prescription Opioid Use While Playing in the National Football League as Risk Factors for Current Use and Misuse Among Former Players

Eugene M Dunne et al. Clin J Sport Med. 2020 Nov.

Abstract

Objective: Prescription opioid misuse has become a significant public health issue. Previous research has examined predictors of prescription opioid use and misuse among former National Football League (NFL) players. The present study aimed to describe how reasons for prescription opioid use while in the NFL corresponds to use and misuse in retirement.

Design: Former NFL players reporting prescription opioid use during their playing careers (N = 336) were included in this secondary data analysis. Participants reported reasons for prescription opioid use, including pain management, use "to function," to improve mood, to reduce stress, and to aid sleep.

Results: Among retired NFL players with exposure to prescribed pain medication during their playing career, 26.2% reported recent use of prescription opioids (past 30 days) and 73.8% reported no use. Specifically, 14.3% of retired players reported opioid use only as prescribed, whereas 11.9% reported misuse (not prescribed or use other than as prescribed). Using prescription opioids to function while in the NFL was associated with any opioid use in the past 30 days [odds ratios (OR) = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.12-1.50, P < 0.001]. Further, opioid use in the NFL to reduce stress and anxiety was associated with increased odds of past 30-day misuse of prescription opioids (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.01-2.11; P = 0.048).

Conclusions: The present study adds to the literature on elite athletes at high risk for pain and prescription opioid use and misuse. The findings may help to identify and provide early intervention for professional athletes most at risk for misuse of prescription opioids.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Rudd RA, Seth P, David F, Scholl L. Increases in Drug and Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths — United States, 2010–2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2016;65:1445–1452. - PubMed
    1. Rice JB, White AG, Birnbaum HG, et al. A model to identify patients at risk for prescription opioid abuse, dependence, and misuse. Pain Med. 2012;13:1162–1173. - PubMed
    1. Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Rockville, MD: 2017. 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables.
    1. Asken BM, Sullan MJ, Snyder AR, et al. Factors influencing clinical correlates of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE): A review. Neuropsychol Rev. 2016;26:340–363. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Halchin LE. Former NFL players: disabilities, benefits, and related issues (RL34439) Congressional Research Service. 2008:525.

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances