title: Addiction in Extreme Sports: An Exploration of Withdrawal States in Rock Climbers.
abstract: Background and aims Extreme sports athletes are often labeled "adrenaline junkies" by the media, implying they are addicted to their sport. Research suggests during abstinence these athletes may experience withdrawal states characteristic of individuals with an addiction (Celsi, Rose, & Leigh, 1993; Franken, Zijlstra, & Muris, 2006; Willig, 2008). Despite this notion, no research has directly explored withdrawal experiences of extreme sports athletes. Methods Using semi-structured interviews, we explored withdrawal experiences of high (n = 4) and average-ability (n = 4) male rock climbers during periods of abstinence. We investigated the psychological and behavioral aspects of withdrawal, including craving, anhedonia, and negative affect; and differences in the frequency and intensity of these states between groups. Results Deductive content analysis indicated support for each of the three categories of anhedonia, craving, and negative affect. Consistent with existing substance addiction literature, high-ability climbers recalled more frequent and intense craving states and negative affect during abstinence compared with average-ability climbers. No differences in anhedonic symptoms between high and average-ability participants were found. Conclusions Rock climbing athletes appear to experience withdrawal symptoms when abstinent from their sport comparable to individuals with substance and behavioral addictions. The implications of these findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Therapeutic Studies, University of South Wales , Pontypridd, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Heirene
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Therapeutic Studies, University of South Wales , Pontypridd, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shearer
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Therapeutic Studies, University of South Wales , Pontypridd, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Gareth
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Roderique-Davies
authors.affiliation: Cardiff School of Sport, Cardiff Metropolitan University , Cardiff, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Stephen D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Mellalieu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D059445:Anhedonia; D056352:Athletes / Q000523:psychology; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000523:psychology; D066249:Craving; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D011361:Professional Competence; D013177:Sports / Q000523:psychology*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: anhedonia; behavioral-addiction; craving; extreme sports; negative affect