Clark: NFL players going to use pot

[pittpete]

"I know guys on my team who smoke," Clark said. "And it's not a situation where you think 'Oh, these are guys trying to be cool.' These are guys who want to do it recreationally. A lot of it is stress relief. A lot of it is pain and medication. Guys feel like, 'If I can do this, it keeps me away from maybe Vicodin, it keeps me away from pain prescription drugs and things that guys get addicted to.' Guys look at this as a more natural way to heal themselves, to stress relieve and also to medicate themselves for pain. Guys are still going to do it."

That's great, but it is still an illegal substance and Ryan, people do get addicted to marijuana.
These guys have access to the best doctors, best medical equipment and best healing modalities others don't have.
They also make millions of dollars and it's against the NFL's policies.
I've had 2 lowerback surgeries and have chronic pain everyday. When things get real bad i take Aleve.
Smoking pot to relieve the pain or relieve stress is just a stupid reason and doesn't justify anything.
I've climbed telephone poles for the last 25 years, what do you think my employer would do if i was tested for THC and i told them it was because it relieved my pain.
Sorry, just don't agree with this while you're playing in the NFL. Wanna smoke when you retire, go ahead and light up all ya want

[Shawn]

Fair enough... but its not like Brunell has made the best decisions financially... wouldnt be surprised if his opinion is also a little bankrupt.

"Weed ruins lives"

Sorry... cant take him seriously when he says something that sensational

Weed can ruin lives. Depends highly on who is smoking the weed. Marijuana in about 10% of the population will flip the switch of addiction. With that said, it is no more dangerous than alcohol...I would argue less so. Doesn't make is safe...or smart...but it's not my place to judge those who use it. Adults should be able to make choices with their lives without government intervention.

[Shawn]

Mark Bunell said he knew players who used it and over the years they weren't the same player because of the drug.

Thats bull IMO.. players decline over the years because its a high impact sport. These guys are medicating with all types of substances.... I doubt mj is the reason some of them fell off.

Depends on the personality smoking it. There are those who smoke it on occasion who may not be effected by it substantially. There are others who will smoke it, then be consumed by the thoughts of smoking it. They will smoke it every chance they get. Their minds are not on working out, but getting high. That is the difference between an addicts mentality and those who can engage alcohol or marijuana recreationally. So stances by either the pro or anti crowd are usually short sighted. In those with addictive tendencies marijuana can indeed ruin lives and careers. It doesn't mean you big brother monitor it...and treat players like kids. But, you do need to be aware of it and not punish players who have the disease of addiction. Those players who can not handle their alcohol, marijuana or whatever are treated like criminals by the league. Its a punitive and not a therapeutic system. It's a major problem when you ask a diabetic not to eat cake...but you don't give them insulin. That is exactly what the NFL is currently doing.

[feltdizz]

Depends on the personality smoking it. There are those who smoke it on occasion who may not be effected by it substantially. There are others who will smoke it, then be consumed by the thoughts of smoking it. They will smoke it every chance they get. Their minds are not on working out, but getting high. That is the difference between an addicts mentality and those who can engage alcohol or marijuana recreationally. So stances by either the pro or anti crowd are usually short sighted. In those with addictive tendencies marijuana can indeed ruin lives and careers. It doesn't mean you big brother monitor it...and treat players like kids. But, you do need to be aware of it and not punish players who have the disease of addiction. Those players who can not handle their alcohol, marijuana or whatever are treated like criminals by the league. Its a punitive and not a therapeutic system. It's a major problem when you ask a diabetic not to eat cake...but you don't give them insulin. That is exactly what the NFL is currently doing.

I believe the addictive tendency is more so to blame than the drug.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

I believe the addictive tendency is more so to blame than the drug.

We could go round and round on this one; these addiction issues are not simple--I'm sure there are several factors involved.

What I have observed, in my circle of acquaintances, is that a significant portion--not all, but not small--of those who use marijuana regularly develop what I would call an "addiction." Of those who are "addicted," there's a range of outcomes, from some who can manage their lives fairly well, to others who become total wastes.

By way of contrast, of my acquaintances who don't use regularly (no more than occasional recreational use), a much smaller percentage seem to develop an "addiction."

My understanding was that Clark was referring to players who were regularly using pot for pain-relief and stress-management. IMO, they have a greater risk of developing an "addiction" than players who might use it only infrequently.

Of course, the only sure-fire way you know you won't get addicted to it is to never get started using it in the first place.

Like PittPete, I find it hard to believe that weed is the best available option for pain management for these players.

I probably won't convince anybody of any of this, just stating my opinion.

[flippy]

We could go round and round on this one; these addiction issues are not simple--I'm sure there are several factors involved.

What I have observed, in my circle of acquaintances, is that a significant portion--not all, but not small--of those who use marijuana regularly develop what I would call an "addiction." Of those who are "addicted," there's a range of outcomes, from some who can manage their lives fairly well, to others who become total wastes.

By way of contrast, of my acquaintances who don't use regularly (no more than occasional recreational use), a much smaller percentage seem to develop an "addiction."

My understanding was that Clark was referring to players who were regularly using pot for pain-relief and stress-management. IMO, they have a greater risk of developing an "addiction" than players who might use it only infrequently.

Of course, the only sure-fire way you know you won't get addicted to it is to never get started using it in the first place.

Like PittPete, I find it hard to believe that weed is the best available option for pain management for these players.

I probably won't convince anybody of any of this, just stating my opinion.

The best pain management would be to give up football...

[Shawn]

I believe the addictive tendency is more so to blame than the drug.

You may well be correct. I have never been one to demonize marijuana. I do not try to be the moral compass of 90% of the US population when it comes to psychoactive substances. But, when it comes to addicts, if you smoke marijuana well you will either be consumed by it...or you will move on to bigger, badder, stronger. It's the nature of the disease process. In approximately 10%, the way psychoactive substances effects the mind is much like an allergy. Most people think it's a behavioral issue when it's in fact a physiological and a psychological issue. They think it's a moral or a will power issue, yet people in all walks of life including those who have demonstrated will power and morals suffer from the illness.

My point is this...the NFL shouldn't be a punitive system. If a player is having problems with a substance...then they need help not kicked out of games and losing paychecks. They need treatment, and accountability.

[feltdizz]

You may well be correct. I have never been one to demonize marijuana. I do not try to be the moral compass of 90% of the US population when it comes to psychoactive substances. But, when it comes to addicts, if you smoke marijuana well you will either be consumed by it...or you will move on to bigger, badder, stronger. It's the nature of the disease process. In approximately 10%, the way psychoactive substances effects the mind is much like an allergy. Most people think it's a behavioral issue when it's in fact a physiological and a psychological issue. They think it's a moral or a will power issue, yet people in all walks of life including those who have demonstrated will power and morals suffer from the illness.

My point is this...the NFL shouldn't be a punitive system. If a player is having problems with a substance...then they need help not kicked out of games and losing paychecks. They need treatment, and accountability.

mj is probably the cheapest and easiest black market drug to find but I think alcohol, caffeine and nicotine are just as much a gateway drug or probably worse since they are legal.

I think the blame on mj being a gateway drug is misguided. If it was gone tomorrow there would be another gateway drug to take it's place because some people need a drug.. any drug.

[feltdizz]

We could go round and round on this one; these addiction issues are not simple--I'm sure there are several factors involved.

What I have observed, in my circle of acquaintances, is that a significant portion--not all, but not small--of those who use marijuana regularly develop what I would call an "addiction." Of those who are "addicted," there's a range of outcomes, from some who can manage their lives fairly well, to others who become total wastes.

By way of contrast, of my acquaintances who don't use regularly (no more than occasional recreational use), a much smaller percentage seem to develop an "addiction."

My understanding was that Clark was referring to players who were regularly using pot for pain-relief and stress-management. IMO, they have a greater risk of developing an "addiction" than players who might use it only infrequently.

Of course, the only sure-fire way you know you won't get addicted to it is to never get started using it in the first place.

Like PittPete, I find it hard to believe that weed is the best available option for pain management for these players.

I probably won't convince anybody of any of this, just stating my opinion.

I mostly agree...

but if those people didn't try or smoke mj they would still find a gateway to get their high....

I think the gateway debate with MJ is similar to the gun debate. At the end of the day it's the person who is smoking/pulling the trigger who has the problem and it wouldn't go away if the weed/gun disappeared.

[Shawn]

We could go round and round on this one; these addiction issues are not simple--I'm sure there are several factors involved.

What I have observed, in my circle of acquaintances, is that a significant portion--not all, but not small--of those who use marijuana regularly develop what I would call an "addiction." Of those who are "addicted," there's a range of outcomes, from some who can manage their lives fairly well, to others who become total wastes.

By way of contrast, of my acquaintances who don't use regularly (no more than occasional recreational use), a much smaller percentage seem to develop an "addiction."

My understanding was that Clark was referring to players who were regularly using pot for pain-relief and stress-management. IMO, they have a greater risk of developing an "addiction" than players who might use it only infrequently.

Of course, the only sure-fire way you know you won't get addicted to it is to never get started using it in the first place.

Like PittPete, I find it hard to believe that weed is the best available option for pain management for these players.

I probably won't convince anybody of any of this, just stating my opinion.

Your observations about the population is correct. Many can use alcohol and marijuana and not be addicted to it. But, a small portion of the population will become addicted to it. Where I will disagree with you is the observation about using it more often leads to addiction. It doesn't work like that. Addiction leads to it being used more often. Meaning if you have a genetic predisposition towards addiction, you will likely abuse just about any substance. Those without it, could take it or leave it. They might enjoy it, smoke on occasion...but it doesn't consume them. They wont be using it everyday because honestly it's not a great pain reliever. It doesn't hit mu opioid receptors...only may make you not care as much about the pain.

[feltdizz]

It doesn't hit mu opioid receptors...only may make you not care as much about the pain.

would not caring feel like there is less pain?

[Shawn]

I mostly agree...

but if those people didn't try or smoke mj they would still find a gateway to get their high....

I think the gateway debate with MJ is similar to the gun debate. At the end of the day it's the person who is smoking/pulling the trigger who has the problem and it wouldn't go away if the weed/gun disappeared.

You don't have disease without a substance. On my mother's side of the family...we have preachers, teachers, and addicts. That's about it. They have either abstained entirely all their lives, or tried it and were off to the races. My mother...wonderful mom...God fearing woman...teacher...principle...business owner never touched the stuff. She was honest, and a good person. In her mid 50's she decided to try a wine cooler at a party...within 3 years she was on a ventilator after trying to take her life for the 8th time due to depression caused by alcoholism. That's how this thing works.

Me...grew up in the church...didn't cuss...didn't smoke...pre-med biology. I lose a 4 year relationship, decide hey screw it I'll hit that joint...within 4 months I'm living out of my car...using all my money to smoke pot...not going to class...about threw my life away. This is "just pot". Can you imagine what I would have done with crack cocaine?

Neither my mom or myself were bad, immoral people without will power. I would argue we were the exact opposite of that. Yet, once exposed to the chemical...it changed the way our brains worked. Without help both of us would be dead. Thankfully both of us are in recovery. Without treating addiction, few have a chance and they will leave a wake of death and destruction all around them...hence the reason why the public has little sympathy or compassion for my people.

[Shawn]

would not caring feel like there is less pain?

You would still feel the pain, just care about it less.

[Shawn]

mj is probably the cheapest and easiest black market drug to find but I think alcohol, caffeine and nicotine are just as much a gateway drug or probably worse since they are legal.

I think the blame on mj being a gateway drug is misguided. If it was gone tomorrow there would be another gateway drug to take it's place because some people need a drug.. any drug.

I agree with alcohol. Nicotine and caffeine are up for debate in the addiction community. My argument against that would be we have 7 decades of men and women in AA meetings drinking pots of coffee, smoking cigarettes and staying sober.

[flippy]

You're probably better off being a pot head than addicted to sugar or a number of other things far worse. Everyone's addicted/obsessed with something.