This episode of the Grim Drive Podcast, where we explore mental health through the lens of professional sports and athletes, takes a look at Josh Gordon + Substance Misuse.

Substance Misuse is a problem that has affected many, either individually or through a family member.  The statistics, particularly in the US, are trending in the wrong direction.  The US reports an annual loss of $740 Billion due to drug/alcohol use (missed work, healthcare, crime).  There has been a 9% increase over five years in marijuana use among college students (6% non-college). In a 12-month period ending in May 2020, there were over 81k overdose deaths (most ever in a one year period), and drug overdose deaths have more than tripled since 1990.  Almost 21 million Americans have at least one addiction, yet only 10% of them get professional help.  It is also important to note that addiction doesn’t have to involve a substance.  Addiction can also be to technology, video games, gambling, or pornography.

Josh Gordon ​is a WR in the NFL for the ​Seattle Seahawks​). He has previously played for the ​Cleveland Browns​ and the ​New England Patriots​. Gordon played ​college football​ at ​Baylor​ and was selected by the Browns in the second round of the ​2012 NFL Supplemental Draft​ (for players whose eligibility was impacted somehow, preventing them from entering the regular draft).  In many ways, he has been the poster child for substance misuse issues, as he has dealt with suspensions due to substance use at every level he has played at, from high school to the pros.  At one point, he even missed 43 of 48 games while on the Cleveland Browns.

More important than his status as a professional athlete, Josh Gordon is a person.  He is an example of how so many with addiction issues have underlying trauma in their past.  And he is someone who faced insurmountable odds and had to persevere through trauma and countless challenges just to make it where he is today, alive, not in prison, and trying to gradually improve his life each day (setbacks included). With this in mind, he is an example of success, demonstrating that where we come from and what our past experiences are, do not need to be present truths, and change is worth fighting and growing for.

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Josh Gordon episode related links:

• Overall story: https://www.boston.com/sports/new-england-patriots/2018/09/18/josh-gordon-drugs-suspension-timeline
• Death of his brother, led to relapse in 2019: https://www.sportscasting.com/the-tragic-death-of-josh-gordons-brother-led-him-down-a-dark-path/
• https://the-cauldron.com/an-open-letter-to-charles-barkley-co-cb5c4e64cf3
• https://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/11/josh-gordons-heartbreaking-reason-for-using-drugs-in-middle-school

Chris Long:

• https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/eagles/chris-long-admits-marijuana-use-speaks-out-against-nfls-policy-and-hes-right
• https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2838352-ex-eagles-de-chris-long-hopes-to-destigmatize-marijuana-change-nfl-drug-bans

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What to do about Substance Misuse / Addiction:

***Disclaimer on MH tips (A LOT of tools and strategies with mental health are easy to understand, HARD to execute…#1 reason they are hard to execute is the fraudulent mindset of “it can’t be that easy”…it is and it isn’t…easy to comprehend does not mean easy to execute (working out and eating right are perfect examples of this)…beware of the mind’s tendency to downplay great solutions due to negativity, denial, or excuse making designed to avoid hard work…trained response by the brain, deluding the self into thinking there is no point in order to give yourself permission to avoid change.  *Always best to seek professional help and work with someone 

• The % of those dealing with addiction who have underlying trauma (+ trauma informed care)
  • The definition of trauma has changed over the years…
  • Know that if you know someone with sub ab issues, they likely went through
    something really traumatic/challenging
  • And if you have substance misuse issues, ask yourself: What underlying trauma from
    my life may be fueling this use; or what underlying emotions am I using substances to cope with?
• Substance use is borrowed happiness from the next day
  • Nothing healthy exists that feels good as instantly as drugs/chem release
  • Short term vs. long term thinking and consequences
  • Be aware of the path of addiction
• How ANY reliance on addiction/numbing from problems can be a “gateway” because it’s not the drug that matters, it’s conditioning the brain to rely on chemical release and PLEASURE instead of learning about emotions, learning how to sit with and understand emotion, etc.
• Holding in = strong, but not effective and still feel terrible; vs.; open up = be strong in a different way and have a chance at feeling better even if short term things might get worse

Steps to Take:

• Be HONEST with yourself + Beware of Denial (very common coping mechanism) 
  • Mind vs. brain
    • Addiction WANTS you to justify continued use; as does the underlying shame
• Get support (as much as possible)
  • The right friends + family
  • SAMHSA’s National Helpline – 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
    • SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
• Harm reduction (relapse is a PART of the PROCESS
• Change your environment (but not just temporarily, such as a vacation/rehab)
• Change your SOCIAL environment too
• Understand your triggers and confront them at the right pace (don’t set up for failure)

The post Episode 6: Josh Gordon + Substance Misuse first appeared on Grim Drive.