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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.
 
ItsMeD said:
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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I did it with my clients all the time. Some were sincere, and some would prefer to spend 3 months in rehab over 3 months in prison.

Most judges don’t want to imprison people for drug possession offenses. They know the harm is most often upon the defendant himself/herself. But they can’t completely turn a blind eye either. So the rehab option is good for all involved. A few actually took rehab seriously but the vast majority just bided their time. Rehab instead of prison isn’t the motivation people need to get help. And it made me look good as the lawyer for finding an alternative to prison.

Unfortunately it jaded me towards rehab which was unfair.
 
AtlAtty said:
I did it with my clients all the time. Some were sincere, and some would prefer to spend 3 months in rehab over 3 months in prison.

Most judges don’t want to imprison people for drug possession offenses. They know the harm is most often upon the defendant himself/herself. But they can’t completely turn a blind eye either. So the rehab option is good for all involved. A few actually took rehab seriously but the vast majority just bided their time. Rehab instead of prison isn’t the motivation people need to get help. And it made me look good as the lawyer for finding an alternative to prison.

Unfortunately it jaded me towards rehab which was unfair.
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sorsby is def not getting any prison time imo. he is done in college sports and itll be hard to convince a GM that he wont be betting in the NFL.
 
hoops156 said:
sorsby is def not getting any prison time imo. he is done in college sports and itll be hard to convince a GM that he wont be betting in the NFL.
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Agreed. Probably nothing “illegal” in terms of violating state or federal law. But definitely against NC2A rules.

I was using the example of my clients who were using rehab as a method to avoid jail time. I feel like Sorsby is using rehab to look better to the NC2A in an effort to save eligibility. Both are basically ways to use rehab to avoid other consequences.

I sincerely hope I am wrong and Sorsby is putting his mental health above all.
 
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AtlAtty said:
Agreed. Probably nothing “illegal” in terms of violating state or federal law. But definitely against NC2A rules.

I was using the example of my clients who were using rehab as a method to avoid jail time. I feel like Sorsby is using rehab to look better to the NC2A in an effort to save eligibility. Both are basically ways to use rehab to avoid other consequences.

I sincerely hope I am wrong and Sorsby is putting his mental health above all.
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Per your first paragraph, it was illegal for him to bet (at his age) in Indiana. So that would be a violation of state laws. Whether the state of Indiana would go after him...who knows...
 
TheOriginalCane said:
Per your first paragraph, it was illegal for him to bet (at his age) in Indiana. So that would be a violation of state laws. Whether the state of Indiana would go after him...who knows...
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I completely forgot that states actually have age restrictions on gambling. I wonder if he will be prosecuted.
 
I really don’t have enough information nor can I confidently state how this ends up.

But I am waiting for the other shoe to drop, that shoe being TT announcing they are cutting ties with him. Don’t know if that’s in the cards or not, but it is possible it could go this way. Obviously, then we will know for sure his NCAA career is over.

I just can’t get it out of my mind how we dodged a major bullet if he was ever a legitimate candidate for us.

Outside of Texas, nobody gives a **** about TT, but the Miami hate mongers would be having a field day for this and the media would be drooling. Much more than they are now.
 
AtlAtty said:
I completely forgot that states actually have age restrictions on gambling. I wonder if he will be prosecuted.
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They could file charges, not sure if they would extradite, though.

Would be hilarious if he got drafted in the Supplemental by the Colts...
 
RVACane said:
How did they catch him?
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Changing Season 9 GIF by Curb Your Enthusiasm
 
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