Alcohol and Disability Sports: Insights from Swiss Coaches

Inclusion in sports fosters social integration and well-being for individuals with disabilities. However, sports environments also present risks related to alcohol consumption, particularly through social interactions and established drinking norms. While general prevention programs exist in Swiss sports, limited research exists and no specific strategies are tailored to the needs of disability sports settings. This study explores alcohol consumption and prevention measures in Swiss disability sports, focusing on the perspectives of sports coaches.

A qualitative research design was employed using semi-structured interviews with 27 coaches from disability sports programs in Switzerland. The thematic analysis by means of NVivo examined four key dimensions: perceptions of alcohol consumption, knowledge of alcohol-related risks, intervention approaches, and prevention strategies. The sample included coaches from diverse sports, disability groups, linguistic regions, and educational backgrounds.

Coaches exhibited varying perspectives on alcohol consumption, with some considering it irrelevant in disability sports and others recognizing its role in social settings surrounding sports activities. While alcohol use was largely rejected during training, it was often normalized in post-sports socialization. Knowledge of alcohol-related risks, particularly concerning its interaction with medication, was inconsistent among coaches, and few had received formal guidance on managing alcohol-related issues. Additionally, prevention measures were seldom implemented, and coaches' awareness of the (national) prevention programs was unexpectedly low.

The findings highlight a need for targeted prevention strategies in disability sports, particularly concerning alcohol consumption and its health implications for athletes with disabilities. Strengthening educational initiatives for coaches, integrating substance use prevention into training curricula, and fostering structured intervention strategies could improve awareness and promote safer sports environments. Future research should explore the perspectives of athletes with disabilities and examine broader policy implications to enhance prevention efforts in inclusive sports.