Sport, Health and Drugs

For the first time a sociological perspective is brought to bear on a topic which has received much previous attention, largely from a medical or physiological perspective. This is a valuable and unique addition to existing literature.

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Why do many athletes risk their careers by taking performance enhancing drugs? Do the highly competitive pressures elite sports teach athletes to win at any cost?


In order to understand the complex relationships between sport and other aspects of society, it is necessary to strip away our preconceptions of what sport is, and to examine, in as detached a manner as possible, the way in which the world of sport actually functions. This fully updated edition of Ivan Waddington’s classic introduction to drugs in sport examines the key terms and key issues in sport, drugs and performance and is designed to help new students explore these controversial subjects, now so central to the study of modern sport. The book addresses topics such as:







the emergence of drugs in sport and changing patterns of use
the development of an objective, sociological understanding
sports law, policy and administration
WADA, NGB’s and the sporting federations
case studies of football and cycling
the case of sports medicine.





An Introduction to Drugs in Sport: Addicted to Winning is a landmark work in sports studies. Using interview transcripts, case studies and press cuttings to ground theory in reality, students and lecturers alike will find this an immensely readable and enriching resource.