Addictions Treatment Blog

ESPN covered this story some weeks back but I do not believe it really got the coverage it deserved. Probably due to the NFL lockout and other headlines but also due to how the media and NFL try to sterilize the matter.

The backup QB for the Jets, Erik Ainge (nephew of former basketball star and current Celtics GM Danny Ainge) just did something that so few current athletes ever do - he details his addiction in the present time. Many other athletes admit to such things later in life and in memoirs or when being paid to do speeches. But Erik took another path and may save lives.

He is only 24 years old and while he still technically has his job with the Jets. He admits now that he's been using since pre high school and how by college he was severely addicted to pain pills and other drugs and alcohol.

While the article leaves you sad for him and what he is going through in life, I think every student athlete should try to find it and read it. It's about a pro athlete who lost control and experience multiple overdoses, DUI's, rehabs and relapses and ultimately how he's likely to lose his professional career over it.

While I am not a fan of his NFL work or his choices in how he is working to resolve his addictions (mostly AA and NA, psychiatrist) I am happy that he's working on getting help and even more, I have admiration for what he did to help so many others by telling his story.