Take a chance on Colt Lyerla?

[Shoe]

Well done Shawn. Glad to hear your story. I would rather see the Steelers pay for the guy's one year residency addiction program than pick him. We have needs that can be met with safer bets.

Agreed.

Not knowing anything about the guy's actual mindset, I don't want to risk a complete waste (e.g. Ta'amu) of a draft pick. We can't afford it.

[Shawn]

I guess your numbers depend on the drug of choice then? I also know that it needs to be a baby step thing to recover and stay recovered. But dang on the 1 year and 5 year does not sound or seem impressive with how long most people live. I would not want that monkey on my back for the next 20, 30, 40 years. My addiction to bad food is hard enough. Good thing I never got hooked on alcohol that runs in both sides of my family. Addiction is no joke and sad. I have even more respect for you Shawn. Keep working had at your job helping people!

First, thanks for the kind words. People took a chance on me, gave me a hand up and I just try to do the same. I partly do what I do because I know statistically I have a 50/50 chance of dying from addiction. Helping others get sober helps me stay sober. As for the 1,5 year rates you are right. You are dealing with a progressive and fatal illness. And it does partly depend on drug of choice. If I'm dealing with someone smoking or IV'ing meth for years their brain is not right for a long time. It might take me 6 months to to get them to stop hallucinating, and thinking aliens are trying to snatch their soul. How much internalization of program principles can they do during that time? I have some strategies to deal with it, but meth is some really bad stuff...very low rates of long term recovery. Heroin is a different beast all together. It strips an individual of any joy for normal everyday things. It might take a year or more for a heroin addict to experience the joy of playing with their children, eating a cheeseburger, or taking a walk in a park. It takes awhile for the brain to recover. As for the monkey on your back comment. It's always there. Sometimes I think it's gone, then something pops up and I know it never left. It's why I have to continue to do things to stay sober. I'll never be cured.

[Shawn]

I am glad for you that your employer stuck it out with you. I am happy you were able to overcome your addiction.

The circumstances are probably different for this young man than the were for you. Did your employer know about your addiction before or after they hired you? I suspect that your employer wouldn't had hired you if they knew you had an addiction before they hired you. If they found out about your addiction after they hired you then the right thing to do was to give you a chance to overcome your addiction. There are reasons why many employers require drugs screens for future and sometimes current employees.

There are many variables involved with addiction. It's well documented that addiction ruins careers, lives, and families. I don't know how serious the addiction the young man has to cocaine. He could be a functional addict or he could eventually let his addiction ruin his life. It will be better if the Steelers bring a player on board that doesn't have the "cocaine question mark" next to his name.

My current employer and the state of Georgia both knew my extensive drug and alcohol history. But, I was 4 years into well documented recovery at that time. I agree with you about active addiction...few employers are going to hire someone they know is in addictive addiction. But, from my understanding Lyerla went to treatment and from all accounts hasn't picked back up. Take it for what it's worth.

[RuthlessBurgher]

On top of the cocaine addiction and the fact that he left his college team, Lyerla tweeted, then deleted the following last year: “The parents of the kids that supposedly died in the sandy hook situation are liars.” There is no drug imaginable that could make that train of thought legitimate. I'll pass on him every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

[Shawn]

It's easy to point fingers and judge other human beings. I'll reserve that luxury for other men who have led cleaner lives than myself. I know many people who have done and said unspeakable things that in their right mind would never do. It doesn't make it ok, nor does it validate it. But, it does put it into context. When I'm dealing with the paranoia of a paranoid schizophrenic I certainly don't take their comments personally. When someone is intoxicated and they say mean and hateful things, it's rare that in their right mind they are not deeply ashamed of what happened. You are dealing with an illness, and an addicts brain isn't right. When we stop treating it like a bad person issue, and treating it like an illness we will see progress. Thank goodness the courts are finally starting to see the light on this issue.

[Oviedo]

It's easy to point fingers and judge other human beings. I'll reserve that luxury for other men who have led cleaner lives than myself. I know many people who have done and said unspeakable things that in their right mind would never do. It doesn't make it ok, nor does it validate it. But, it does put it into context. When I'm dealing with the paranoia of a paranoid schizophrenic I certainly don't take their comments personally. When someone is intoxicated and they say mean and hateful things, it's rare that in their right mind they are not deeply ashamed of what happened. You are dealing with an illness, and an addicts brain isn't right. When we stop treating it like a bad person issue, and treating it like an illness we will see progress. Thank goodness the courts are finally starting to see the light on this issue.

Well said.

[steelblood]

Shawn,

I get what you are saying. We will never know what Colt Lyerla is really like right now. So, it is tough to say if he is stable enough for the STeelers to take a chance on him. But, as a late round flyer, I'd be excited to have such a great talent on the team. At the same time, I'd be worried that he'd be a distraction at a key point in the season. Who knows?

[Shawn]

Shawn,

I get what you are saying. We will never know what Colt Lyerla is really like right now. So, it is tough to say if he is stable enough for the STeelers to take a chance on him. But, as a late round flyer, I'd be excited to have such a great talent on the team. At the same time, I'd be worried that he'd be a distraction at a key point in the season. Who knows?

I don't think the Steelers would tolerate any nonsense from Colt. If he went to treatment (which I believe he has already done), is willing to adhere to boundaries and strict guidelines why would someone not take a chance on pro bowl caliber talent? Watch some of this guys film...he is impressive. If I were the Steelers I would look at several things...is he willing to own it. Is he willing to grow from it? And he willing to be monitored and adhere to rules? If the answers are yes...I would draft him in the 6th and be done with it. He acts up...you cut him.

[Ernie]

I agree. What would be the worst that could happen if we pick him in the 6th Round and he wouldn't make it or play. Heck our Round 1 pick from last draft didn't really play or do anything.

Get him the help and structured environment and htake the chance. I think what would keep them away is more the PR side of it.

and our 5th rd pick was cut before the season opener. Normally I would be against a pick like this...but the FO needs to take a gamble or two this year IMO. I'd be open to drafting him 5th or back.