TREND OF DRUG ABUSE IN 2011–2014 IN ITALY

Doping, although was born as a medication and not with the purpose of enhancing performance, is a widespread practice in all sports, between amateur and gym-goers. The Italian sports federations were in second place worldwide for positive doping-test, after Russia. This review focuses on the analysis of data collected by Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) in the 2012–2014 period, showing that the most commonly used substances were anabolic androgenic agents, glucocorticoids, diuretics and stimulants. Prevention in doping could be a key to limit the damage caused by this harmful practice both, for the physical health and the athlete’s moral integrity and anti-doping campaigns should be direct as much as possible to young people, since about two-thirds of adolescents appear to be dissatisfied with their body. Even coordination between the various professionals that surround athletes could help fight doping by planning specific training and adapted to the individual athlete, taking into account the actual physical limitations and physical features of each.