Josh Hamilton Relapses

Last week there was a sad reminder that recovery from alcoholism or drug addiction is a continuous and long term process. Josh Hamilton, the former #1 overall pick in the 1999 Major League Baseball draft, unfortunately had a second relapse with alcohol. Hamilton had his baseball career debut delayed until 2007 because of his drug and alcohol addiction. The immense potential talent of Hamilton had been unrealized until 2007, the year he began one of the best comeback stories in sports history. Josh made the all-star team every year from 2008 through this past 2011 season, and in 2010 he won the American League MVP award. Hamilton had another brief relapse in 2009, but overall appeared to have moved on from his past habits.

Hamilton admitted to his relapse through a press conference in Dallas, Texas on February 4^th 2012. He owned up to his mistake by stating that the incident “was just wrong. That’s all it comes down to. I needed to be at a different place. I needed to be responsible. I was not responsible. Those actions of mine have hurt a lot of people I’m very close to.” Hamilton did pass two drug tests following the relapse, so it appears that drugs are not a part of the situation. Nevertheless, the alcohol relapse is a potential problem for Hamilton’s future personal life and professional career. Hamilton’s moment of weakness is not uncommon for recovering alcoholics. Like Hamilton stated in his press conference, all it takes is one day or even an hour away from your recovery plan to relapse.

Having a strong support group and someone you can turn to when you crave the substances you are recovering from is extremely important for the long term goals of recovery. Hamilton has the public eye on him and the treatment services of Major League Baseball at his disposal, but for people who don’t have to have a press conference after a relapse, there are still excellent treatment options available to help you recover from substance abuse and prevent a relapse. Seabrook is one of the best drug rehab and alcoholism detox treatment centers on the east coast. We operate two facilities. Our main rehab facility is located in rural Bridgeton, New Jersey (NJ), only a 90 minute drive from New York City (NYC). Our extended-care luxury transitional rehab is located in Tioga County, Pennsylvania (PA), just minutes from Elmira/Corning New York Regional airport or by car from Philadelphia, driving time is 4 hours. All Seabrook programs are grounded in the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA). The Seabrook Model® of treatment includes a multifaceted medical approach to alcohol and other drugs including opiate detoxification, gender-specific therapy with special emphasis on relapse prevention, and family intervention services. It’s important to know that recovery doesn’t stop after treatment, and Seabrook can help you prevent relapse!