Josh Gordon Suspended by the NFL “for at Least One Year” for Substance Abuse

Abstract

The National Football League confirmed that Josh Gordon, a wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns, was suspended for violating the league's substance abuse policy. In January there were reports that Gordon was facing a year-long ban after he tested positive for alcohol. He was arrested for driving under the influence last July. In May 2014 he tested positive for marijuana (http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/browns-wr-Josh-Gordon-fails-another-drug-test/Clevend-browns-announce-josh-gordon-suspended-for-one-year/22821363). Josh failed several drug tests in college (http://www.santafenewmexican.com/sports/source-browns-wr-Josh-Gordon-fails-another-drug-test/article_e5094192-1b3a-52e2-8a9). His salary was reported to be $1.07 million (http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/id/12275102/NFL-suspends-josh-gordon-cleveland-browns-least-one-year).Josh Gordon appeared to “have it all.” Money, fame, and the potential for an excellent reputation as a wide receiver. It appears that substance abuse and addiction are blind to race, creed, fame, and fortune. We know that opioid misuse is a significant public health problem that has substantial morbidity and mortality and costs to society. In a qualitative study St. Marie, 2014St. Marie B. Health care experiences when pain and substance use disorder coexist: “Just because I'm an addict doesn't mean I don't have pain”.Pain Med. 2014; 15: 2075-2086Crossref PubMed Scopus (18) Google Scholar relates that more than three quarters of participants related how they obtained opioids from health care providers. The reasons for the prescription requests were to prevent opioid withdrawal. Some participants reported to their health care provider that their opioids were stolen. One person stated that she would refuse to participate in other methods to treat pain.Addiction is caused by long-term use of alcohol or drugs. This causes the brain to increase the release of dopamine. When the brain has a large amount of dopamine on board, it attempts to reach a lower balance by producing less dopamine. The feeling caused by producing less dopamine is what prompts people to use alcohol or drugs in order to feel “normal” (Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, 2014Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. (2014). Available at: http://www.hazelden.org. Accessed February 5, 2015.Google Scholar). I have never heard anyone say they want to be addicted to drugs. The National Football League confirmed that Josh Gordon, a wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns, was suspended for violating the league's substance abuse policy. In January there were reports that Gordon was facing a year-long ban after he tested positive for alcohol. He was arrested for driving under the influence last July. In May 2014 he tested positive for marijuana (http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/browns-wr-Josh-Gordon-fails-another-drug-test/Clevend-browns-announce-josh-gordon-suspended-for-one-year/22821363). Josh failed several drug tests in college (http://www.santafenewmexican.com/sports/source-browns-wr-Josh-Gordon-fails-another-drug-test/article_e5094192-1b3a-52e2-8a9). His salary was reported to be $1.07 million (http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/id/12275102/NFL-suspends-josh-gordon-cleveland-browns-least-one-year). Josh Gordon appeared to “have it all.” Money, fame, and the potential for an excellent reputation as a wide receiver. It appears that substance abuse and addiction are blind to race, creed, fame, and fortune. We know that opioid misuse is a significant public health problem that has substantial morbidity and mortality and costs to society. In a qualitative study St. Marie, 2014St. Marie B. Health care experiences when pain and substance use disorder coexist: “Just because I'm an addict doesn't mean I don't have pain”.Pain Med. 2014; 15: 2075-2086Crossref PubMed Scopus (18) Google Scholar relates that more than three quarters of participants related how they obtained opioids from health care providers. The reasons for the prescription requests were to prevent opioid withdrawal. Some participants reported to their health care provider that their opioids were stolen. One person stated that she would refuse to participate in other methods to treat pain. Addiction is caused by long-term use of alcohol or drugs. This causes the brain to increase the release of dopamine. When the brain has a large amount of dopamine on board, it attempts to reach a lower balance by producing less dopamine. The feeling caused by producing less dopamine is what prompts people to use alcohol or drugs in order to feel “normal” (Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, 2014Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. (2014). Available at: http://www.hazelden.org. Accessed February 5, 2015.Google Scholar). I have never heard anyone say they want to be addicted to drugs.