Ainge: 'I Had To Get Help Before I Died'

[Big Bid'Ness]

From:realgm

Rich Cimini/ESPN.com - Jets quarterback Erik Ainge started using drugs when he was 12 and was addicted to painkillers by his senior year at Tennessee.

Ainge, 24, who also suffers from bipolar disorder, missed the entire 2010 season because he went on a two-week bender before training camp and landed in rehab, fearing for his life.

He has been sober since July 17.

Following an interview with ESPN.com's Rich Cimini, Ainge wrote an exclusive piece for the site.

"I'm a drug addict," he wrote. "I was in denial for a long time, but that's who I am. My addiction is with the hardest of hard drugs -- heroin, cocaine and alcohol. During my days of using, I was a really bad drug addict. I would've made Charlie Sheen look like Miss Daisy."

Damn

 

[Mooche]

Wow.. This takes a lot for him to come out and admit this.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Could he be suspended by the league?

 

[kam.]

Could he be suspended by the league?

Not exactly. Especially since he checked himself into rehab and took a year off of football.

 

[TTN2810]

wow.

 

[Hurricane Season]

He also didn't test positive for anything through league drug testing as far as I know.

 

[Lake Louise]

Crazy. Glad he's been clean since July 17th, and that he admitted he has a problem. Admitting is the toughest part, aside from quitting.

 

[SaintFan25]

Wow I had no idea. Glad to see he's making strides.

 

[DJT]

Dang I was wondering where he went. Hope he can get his act together.

 

[Pugz]

cocaine is the best, some heroin too. speedballs ftw


this is good that hes doing this. you never wanna hear about an athlete with an addiction like this. i wish him the best.