Needless to say, from the moment he stepped onto the ice, Theoren “Theo” Fleury was a true athletic champion. He had managed to beat all odds. Although he is one of the shortest professional hockey players of his generation, the right winger managed to score 1,000+ points during the first stage of his career. Fleury earned a 61st spot in the score of the National Hockey League (NHL). Eventually, he would play for Calgary Flames and would help his team win the Stanley Cup in 1989. However, a successful career would quickly sink through the ice as a direct result of Theoren Fleury’s severe drug and alcohol addiction. This ultimately resulted in his firing from the NHL. Nowadays, the right wing player has cleaned up his act, but the road was not easy to travel. Let’s take a closer look and find out some more about Theoren Fleury’s severe cases of drug addiction and alcoholism.
A Loss of Maturity
In an interview with Charles Adler on Global News Radio, Theoren Fleury describes addiction as a loss of maturity. As he explains, the moment you decide to take that first drink is the moment your maturing stops. Sobriety marks the restarting point for your growth. Although he is 50 years old, the former hockey player considers himself to be 29 years old (in his mind). As of 2018, Fleury has been sober for over 13 years, but the journey was not easy.
Long Path of Addiction
Needless to say, Fleury had an incredible run for a time. In 1989, he won the coveted Stanley Cup with the Calgary Flames. He was named NHL Second Team All-Star from 1994 to 1995. In 2002, the right wing would win a gold medal for the Canadian team at the Winter Olympics. At one point, his total income was racked up to a staggering $50 million.
Despite his success, though, his adventures off the ice were far from victorious. From the age of 16 (after an incident involving sexual abuse), Fleury started drinking alcohol. During his NHL stint, he turned to hardcore drugs like cocaine and marijuana. During his contract with the Texas Rangers in 1999, though, his addictive behavior reached dark places. In an interview with the New York Times, Fleury admitted to using his then-infant son’s urine to fake negative drug tests. Finally, in 2003, Fleury was suspended from the NHL after becoming wrapped up in a brawl in Columbus, Ohio.
Finally, in a washroom, Fleury fell on his knees and begged God to help him. Given the fact that he hasn’t had a drink or done drugs since that day, we can definitely say his recovery was a miracle. Even Fleury claims he is lucky to be alive.
Seeking Treatment for Drug Addiction or Alcoholism
Although we might like to dismiss the matter and say “it could never happen to me,” the reality is that anyone can fall victim to alcoholism or drug addiction at any time and by any means. In many cases, all it takes to become sick is to take that first sniff, snort, injection, or shot before you are rolling downhill into insanity. Like any mechanical breakdown, though, you can easily patch yourself up and continue the trek uphill to freedom. However, with the right mixture of perseverance and determination, you can easily get back on track and be happy once more.
Are you suffering from a severe case of alcoholism or drug addiction? Do you have a friend or a loved one who is coping with the same illness? In both cases, get in touch us at with Asana Recovery today. Our professional team of counselors and healthcare experts will help you endure the painful process of drug withdrawal and detox and guide you along the rocky road of rehabilitation. Soon enough, you will experience a faster and much more efficient recovery.
If you are seeking more information about our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs or enroll in one of these programs today, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your leisure and your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how you can overcome your mental illness and take an extra step toward becoming a healthier person.
