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Young Men Behaving Badly

12-03-2009

“It reminds me of my time in Africa. We lost the cork screw and had to live on food and water for days” W.C.Fields

“Where there’s alcohol, there’s trouble!” says one of my good mates. He is referring of course, to the disinhibition and the loss of the usual behavioural controls which occur when people are intoxicated. As a rule, the thoughts and emotions expressed by an intoxicated person are a reflection of what is really going on in that person’s mind.

First, the alcohol story: 12.5% (1 in 8 people) of our population abuses or is addicted to alcohol. It is Australia’s major drug problem, by a country mile. If a person is addicted to alcohol their life expectancy is halved. They usually die from cancer, stroke or heart attack. Alcohol has been shown to cause dementia. Many crimes of violence (including sexual assault and rape) occur in the context of alcohol intoxication. The relationship between road accidents and alcohol is a message which has been sounded loud and clear. There is also the ripple effect of alcohol abuse upon family coherence. During my working life as a psychiatrist, a lot of time was spent with the members of alcoholics’ families.

There is a powerful genetic factor determining whether a particular person will become an alcohol abuser or addicted to that substance. Major problems with alcohol are often seen in young people who regularly binge on alcohol during their middle teenage years. This binge pattern has already been highlighted by government. The response to the “Alcopop” fad is evidence of their concern.

The NHMRC recently redefined so called “safe” drinking as 2 standard drinks for males and 1 for females per day. This is half of the previously-recommended levels.

Despite all of this, alcohol consumption is an accepted behaviour by many in our culture. There is, by the way, an upside healthwise. Multinational studies in 2006-2007 showed health benefits from safe consumption of certain young red wines (pinot noir and merlot). They contain high levels of chemicals called “polyphenols”. Reduced rates of cancer, strokes and heart attacks are evident, especially in females. However this effect is specific for these grape types and doesn’t generalise to other forms of alcohol.

There is a whole body of science and literature associated with alcoholic drinks and their production and appreciation (especially wines). Conversation and other social activities are often carried out with alcohol as an accepted “lubricant”.

Rugby League is a professional sport which forms part of the entertainment “industry”. Its elite players receive such media coverage that they attain celebrity status. They are well-recognised faces. Indeed, these are the faces that are used to promote the game, especially to young males who will become the game’s future stars.

Wayne Bennett, as a respected voice in the game, rejects the notion that young players are “role models”. I believe he is referring to the idea that this mantle is thrust upon young players, rather than its being a matter of choice. He is also hinting at the idea that this role is one which would be a tough ask for anyone, let alone a 20 something male. Our humanity (and therefore fallibility) often lets us down in the end. Many a prominent pillar of society has fallen badly from grace.

These issues are clouded by matters of finance, especially as sports need sponsors. The advertisers like to pair up healthy activity by gifted young Australians (ie. sport) with alcohol brands in the minds of the consumers.

The young rugby league players involved with allegations of sexual abuse do not live in a vacuum. A previous education program instituted by the NRL indicated some worry about attitudes to women amongst this group. In body contact sports, natural athleticism and skill are pre requisites at the elite level. So is aggression. One of the spectator attractions of the game is its combative quality. This is not a game for the faint hearted. The problem arises where this aggressiveness spills over into a non-sporting context.

So, here is the dilemma. No one condones assault of any kind, especially when it is perpetrated by one human much physically stronger than the other. Sexual assault and rape are not sexual activities. They are acts of violence.

Yet, we put young males in an environment where they are paid handsomely for their athletic abilities in a sport which willingly accepts sponsorship from the alcohol industry. They are influenced by the culture of that sport, which also brings with it celebrity (and positive or negative scrutiny by the media). The culture also condones aggression and alcohol abuse. Personal choice in these matters is one thing, but the pull of peer group pressure often trumps it. So, what to do?

Behavioural therapists are well aware of the principle that changing human behaviour can be difficult. Programs aimed at changing behaviour, try to reward behaviour which is desired rather than punishing the behaviour which is not acceptable. Any program must take this into account. No program will work if the person at whom it is aimed is not motivated to change. I sometimes read of players with problems being “sent for counselling”. I wonder about the circumstances under which this occurs eg. if a player is “sent for counselling or else”…. the best counsellor available is unlikely to make any progress. With those provisos in mind I would make the following recommendations:

1. Attempt to find out if previous education programs are working. They may have to be tailored to the needs of this particular audience. It should take into account several issues, including alcohol and its dangers, anger control, aggression and attitudes to females.

2. There is an inherent respect by young players for “legends” of the game. These elder statesmen might be willing to lend their names to an education program.

3. Define high-risk people ie. those with a binge drinking pattern and/or a positive family history of alcohol abuse or addiction. Monitor them closely by using senior team members or members of staff. These high risk people may well benefit from regular contact with a “mentor” figure. A suitable mentor figure would be someone of appropriate seniority and in a position of respect within the club structure. They should be well-informed about the issues likely to be faced by young males in this situation. It would also be ideal that they had access to an appropriate professional if they found they were out of their depth.

4. In my opinion the players should define a reasonable code of conduct for their team mates. They have the most to lose, after all, if their team mate goofs off. Involving the players in a definition of a reasonable code of conduct also means that the players tend to “own” it.

5. Some means of rewarding continued good off field behaviour could be designed. Part of their annual package could be contingent upon acceptable off field behaviour. There should also be clear consequences of unacceptable behaviour. The players should be involved in setting up this system of rewards and consequences.

There are no overnight solutions to these difficult problems. Entrenched cultures are difficult to change. The consequences of not attempting to do so are of significance.

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