RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Links in the chain: an approach to the treatment of drug abuse on a professional football team
JF Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
JO Cleve Clin J Med
FD Cleveland Clinic
SP 485
OP 492
VO 51
IS 3
A1 Gregory B. Collins
A1 Charles E. Pippenger
A1 Joseph W. Janesz
YR 1984
UL http://www.ccjm.org/content/51/3/485.abstract
AB The authors describe the first comprehensive drug-abuse program established for a professional football team through a cooperative effort by the team’s management and a psychiatrist/substance- abuse specialist. Cocaine, marijuana, and alcohol were the major drugs abused. Contributing factors included developmental immaturity, unhealthy environment, isolation, idle time, high income, overreliance on athletic talent, and minimal accountability. A total team commitment was mobilized to deal with the complex problems of the drug-involved player. This program has led to significant improvement in 75% of cases over an 18-month period. All participating players have improved their playing ability. The approach described here is offered as a model for use by professional athletic organizations and offers hope that the current epidemic of drug abuse among professional athletes can be abated.