Who just pitched a perfect game against substance abuse stigma?
The stigma surrounding substance abuse and addiction is so strong in our society that we rarely think of a successful person as someone who could struggle, even though they are just as likely. The negative stigma continues to perpetuate false stereotypes, and in return, reinforces behavior of stress, fear, denial and secrecy. All of which exacerbate the problem and stand in the way of people getting help.
Let’s take a quick look at some baseball facts:
In 2001, CC Sabathia was the youngest player in the major leagues (after being awarded Minor League Player of the Year in 2000). He’s played for some of the top MLB teams. In 2008, he signed what was at the time the largerst contract for a pitcher in MLB history for the New York Yankees. He’s been an invaluable player since. In 2009, he was the Opening Day starter and that year won his first championship ring with the Yankees. He also won the American League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award. By the end of 2014 season, he was one of the more sucessful pitchers from a hitting standpoint. And his ability to pitch a high number of effective innings each season has some broadcasters calling him the “workhorse.” He is the very definition of success in this country: determined and hard-working.
Which makes his ability to be honest about his struggles with alcohol all that more inspiring. In October 2015, Sabathia announced that he was checking himself into an alcohol treatment center for a persistent problem that plagued him even during some of his shining moments as a New York Yankee. He said, “I never showed up to my job or came to the field drinking alcohol…I was just tired of binging the way I was. I didn’t really feel good about where I was headed.” Now he’s in recovery and heading in the direction of opening day. And according to the New York Daily News, Sabathia is looking “sharp in first bullpen session of spring training with Yankees.”
Get help, share your story, show that substance abuse affects all kinds of people!
