Recovering Athletes in 2011?
Happy New Year! Will 2011 be the year that recovering athletes come forward and tell their stories of hope and recovery? Let's hope so. It seems almost a weekly occurrence: the news story of the celebrity athlete pulled over for DUI, arrested for drug possession, or charged in a domestic dispute where alcohol or other drugs are clearly involved.
What is missing are the uplifting stories of athletes who have received treatment, addressed their issues, and made the changes necessary to recover. As Gus Gerard's story from my previous post illustrates, athletes can and do recover-- but this is not necessarily news.
Watch this spot for more stories like Gus's in 2011. The athletes out there who have courageously dealt with their issues can be role models and examples for thousands of others who are dealing with addiction.
Think of these names:
Cris Carter (NFL/ESPN)
David Thompson (ABA/NBA)
John Lucas (NBA)
Dock Ellis (MLB)
Gerry Cooney (Boxing)
Pat Day (Jockey)
No news is good news; all of these athletes have reportedly been clean and sober for years. Maybe this is the year that athletes in recovery will be recognized--and step up to provide counsel, wisdom, and encouragement for those in need of help....
Happy New Year! Will 2011 be the year that recovering athletes come forward and tell their stories of hope and recovery? Let's hope so. It seems almost a weekly occurrence: the news story of the celebrity athlete pulled over for DUI, arrested for drug possession, or charged in a domestic dispute where alcohol or other drugs are clearly involved.
What is missing are the uplifting stories of athletes who have received treatment, addressed their issues, and made the changes necessary to recover. As Gus Gerard's story from my previous post illustrates, athletes can and do recover-- but this is not necessarily news.
Watch this spot for more stories like Gus's in 2011. The athletes out there who have courageously dealt with their issues can be role models and examples for thousands of others who are dealing with addiction.
Think of these names:
Cris Carter (NFL/ESPN)
David Thompson (ABA/NBA)
John Lucas (NBA)
Dock Ellis (MLB)
Gerry Cooney (Boxing)
Pat Day (Jockey)
No news is good news; all of these athletes have reportedly been clean and sober for years. Maybe this is the year that athletes in recovery will be recognized--and step up to provide counsel, wisdom, and encouragement for those in need of help....