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Brenden Sorsby- The Gambling Addiction

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I understand for very whim there is a lawyer, and I understand $5 million is a lot of money. But entering a rehab program for gambling addiction while also fighting for eligibility, which you stand to lose because of your addiction, is not a good look.

It feels to me, like Tiger Woods, that the “rehab” is being to look like you take the problem seriously, when in fact you really are just worried that you are going to lose a lot of money. I question the sincerity of the rehab if you are equally worried about getting back on the field.

First, anything less than a 90 day rehab program (subsequent returns can be shorter) for the first rehab stint is almost likely doomed to fail. Especially for someone so young who has been engaging in this behavior for years. What we learned from our son’s experience (and I know everyone is different), is that the brain needs 90 days just to heal. During addiction the brain creates neural pathways which are demanding of their dopamine fix. These pathways NEVER go away. But the addict learns how not to give in to every craving.

Second, after the in-patient rehab comes aftercare, often in a halfway house. Why? Because to throw the addict right back into society after 30-60 or evern 90 days is another recipe for failure. The addict needs time away from the people, places and things that trigger the addiction. Typically 6-12 months away at a minimum. It’s those d*mn neural pathways again.

Third comes a long term program like Gamblers Anonymous. And this could be for life.

It is hard to see how playing in the Fall, which is less than 5 months away, will comport with the type of work that is needed to truly and sincerely combat addiction.
 
AtlAtty said:
I understand for very whim there is a lawyer, and I understand $5 million is a lot of money. But entering a rehab program for gambling addiction while also fighting for eligibility, which you stand to lose because of your addiction, is not a good look.

It feels to me, like Tiger Woods, that the “rehab” is being to look like you take the problem seriously, when in fact you really are just worried that you are going to lose a lot of money. I question the sincerity of the rehab if you are equally worried about getting back on the field.

First, anything less than a 90 day rehab program (subsequent returns can be shorter) for the first rehab stint is almost likely doomed to fail. Especially for someone so young who has been engaging in this behavior for years. What we learned from our son’s experience (and I know everyone is different), is that the brain needs 90 days just to heal. During addiction the brain creates neural pathways which are demanding of their dopamine fix. These pathways NEVER go away. But the addict learns how not to give in to every craving.

Second, after the in-patient rehab comes aftercare, often in a halfway house. Why? Because to throw the addict right back into society after 30-60 or evern 90 days is another recipe for failure. The addict needs time away from the people, places and things that trigger the addiction. Typically 6-12 months away at a minimum. It’s those d*mn neural pathways again.

Third comes a long term program like Gamblers Anonymous. And this could be for life.

It is hard to see how playing in the Fall, which is less than 5 months away, will comport with the type of work that is needed to truly and sincerely combat addiction.
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A law school professor once explained how everyone should enter rehab for any vice they were caught with to drag ADA protections into any possible employment issues. If I remember correctly, gambling is excluded, but your post reminded me about this and made me laugh lol.
 
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