Deep Dive: The use of painkillers and drugs in rugby

Send us Fan MailAlan Dymock is Features Editor of Rugby World Magazine. He specialises in long-reads and detailed studies, as well as stories of far-flung events and quirky characters.In this Deep Dive, we discuss Alan's features on pain killer and performance-enhancing drug use in rugby.Alan's playing background & how he transitioned to journalismWhy Alan decided to investigate dopingDid Alan have any apprehension about investigating such a thorny issue?Where did the investigation start?Why do players take banned substances?Pain killer use and the slippery slope of their useThe advances in medical science that have occurred around pain & how we should be looking to the long term and psychological interventions Issues around Therapeutic Use ExemptionsIs there a genuine appetite to catch drug cheats?How we should be looking to prevent use rather than catching cheatsWhy we need to constantly re-visit the discussion around dopingHow widespread is doping in rugby?The features we discuss can be found here:Doping in rugby: a Rugby World investigation - https://www.rugbyworld.com/countries/france-countries/doping-rugby-41475Playing through the pain: an investigation into painkiller use in rugby - https://www.rugbyworld.com/news/blogs/playing-pain-investigation-painkiller-use-rugby-77805Chronic Pain, Cannabis & Rugbyhttps://www.rugbyworld.com/featured/chronic-pain-cannabis-rugby-113821All of Alan's investigations can be found here -https://www.rugbyworld.com/tag/investigationInformed Sport Supplement Check Service - https://www.wetestyoutrust.com/England Rugby Anti Doping & Illicit Drugs - https://www.englandrugby.com/governance/anti-doping-and-illicit-drugsTo find out more about this podcast and many others, go to Rugby Coach WeeklyTo find out more about our Partner Club offerCLICK HEREAlso, tap into the library of 4,000 pages of activities, advice, tactics and tips to help you become the best rugby coach you can be!