“We can choose a path that leads us into trouble. It all comes down to our decisions at the end of the day.” ~ Gabby Douglas
As I watch the Olympics, I can’t help but think about the other end of the behavior spectrum–our kids who are not working out each day. Not reaching their dreams. Not disciplined and willing to sacrifice so that they can meet their goals.
Most of us aren’t Olympians, and most of us are not in the midst of drug use. We are somewhere in the middle. We are working hard and living our life in the best way we can.
We all face problems and challenges. Hopefully, we all have our fair share of joy.
For our kids that are dependent on drugs or alcohol, a trip to the gym or even thinking about excelling in an athletic sport is the farthest thing from their mind.
For others, especially the more artistic or musical boys, have felt like something was wrong with them from the start. They were far more interested in the dandelions growing on the soccer field or the planes flying by than winning the game.
These young men felt and saw the disappointment in their parent’s eyes. They felt like from day one that they were somehow a failure. That may or may not have been the reason they choose to numb the pain of not being interested in athletics by using drugs or alcohol.
Yes, our kids are different. They were for the most part born with a Pandora’s box for a mind that opened and wouldn’t shut with the first sniff of drugs or alcohol. After that first taste, Pandora kept asking for more.
Yet we also know of a number of celebrated athletes that have fallen because of their drug or alcohol use. Even the most decorated Olympian of all-time, Michael Phelps, who now has won 23 gold medals, is not perfect. He has struggled with substance use issues in his personal life.
While we applaud his success, and feel for his personal challenges, there is some comfort in knowing that he is human just like the rest of us. Through it all, he seems to be handling the media questions about his rehab stay with the dignity and grace of an Olympian.
From her article, Michael Phelps: The Importance of His Recovery and Return to the Olympics, Heather Lefevre talks about the importance of Michael Phelp’s DUIs which resulted in his immediately going to rehab.
“Because we sit in our thoughts and we ask ourselves, ‘just another drug addiction case, why should I care?’ When Phelps was arrested for a DUI in 2014, he would become part of the 83.4% of adults between the age of eighteen to twenty-five who suffered from drug abuse that year. The importance lies in that whether it’s twenty-two Olympic medal winning Michael Phelps, or your next door neighbor, drug abuse is a serious issue in the United States that is often ignored, due to it’s ‘irrelevance.'”
Michael seems to have gained some insight from his time in rehab. In an interview with Bob Costas, he said, “It was a great experience, and I learned a lot about myself.”
Drug abuse, however, continues to be seen as an irrelevant problem. Addiction continues to be the unspeakable topic. It continues to be embarrassing and awkward. Most would rather talk about something else.
The stigma for families, which has recently shown some improvement, simply because so many families have kids struggling with drug or alcohol use issues, continues on.
Yet, many of our kids are recovering. Many are joining the anonymous millions who have chosen to dig deep and turn their life around.
However, those millions in recovery are invisibly blending into our communities, where they rarely discuss their past unless they are within the anonymous walls of an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.
Despite the stigma, wouldn’t it be nice if our kids who embraced recovery could feel that admiration and respect that they deserve? How different would it be if they could receive the praise and cheering that comes with accomplishing a challenging task that is the hardest thing they’ve ever done?
How many more would enter the ranks if those in recovery could be role models, feeling free to share their accomplishments without the judgment and stigma attached to substance use.
Yes, they have fallen. They have fallen hard. Today, many have chosen to rise above.
I’m glad that Michael Phelps had a great experience, and learned about himself in rehab. He is now a larger-than-life role model whose reach will touch millions of teens aspiring [or not] to be great athletes.
Wouldn’t it be nice if he would be willing to harness what he learned from his time in the pool and his time in rehab to be an influence to those coming after him?
It would be amazing if Michael would take some time in the future to share his experience in rehab with young people throughout the country, helping kids understand what helps turn a person around.
So many that are struggling with substance use could use his encouragement.
He has risen above to be the champion among champions.
Michael Phelps’ influence could help more young people raise their personal bar, miss the substance use detour, and find their dreams in life.
Our kids now, more than ever, need and deserve a role model who is willing to speak out and encourage them onward.
It could be one more ray of hope that could make the difference in this epidemic that is taking too many lives.
