I just got off the phone with a client and went to the web and one of the lead stories on my home page was:
Jennifer Capriati Recovering From Drug Overdose
A spokeswoman for Jennifer Capriati says the former top-ranked tennis player is recovering from an “accidental overdose” of prescribed medication. Lacey Wickline told The Associated Press on Monday that the 34-year-old Capriati is stable and a full recovery is expected. She declined to identify the medication.
The spokeswoman says Capriati was rushed to a South Florida hospital early Sunday morning. Wickline would not say how Capriati was found or who called emergency services. Capriati won three majors in a career that was sidetracked by personal troubles.
Yes this story is about Jennifer Capriati but we just as easy could take her name out and insert thousands of other athletes’ names.
- How does that happen?
- Did her parents push her too hard?
- Is it too much success too soon?
- Does she have too much money?
- Did she peak too early in her life?
So I ask you:
- How does this happen?
I truly look forward to hearing from you.
Fee Sepahi says:
Hi Merrill,
Going out on a limb here… I think it’s our fault. We put way too much pressure on youngsters to be super stars and perform. At the risk of sounding jaded, the modern day athlete is scrutinized from so many angles it has to be difficult for such a young mind to process all that. And I tend to wonder how much they are influenced by the adults who depend on them to earn their livelihood. A while back I heard a very candid interview with Andy Roddick and he was very clear that his full time Entourage of marketing folks, chef’s, a chiropractor, mental coach etc. numbered in the 20′s. His prime objective was staying healthy and his second to succeed.
The marketing, corporate machine wants returns from the logo they display on the shoulders, buns, and all else, of the athlete and we refuse to see them as the gifts they are. We have no “time” for them to stay young and vital.
For Jennifer, Michael, Floyd and countless others, the allure of being on a cereal box, seems far more ingrained in their psyche than most notable achievements.
I can’t say this news surprises me, though it does sadden me…
I just hope she finds her way back to health and makes a difference on the planet, like Billy-Jean King, Arthur Ashe and so many others.
Melanie Courtright says:
This is a pervasive problem in all aspects of our society. While we hear about the sports and celebrity addictions more often, it’s everywhere. People we’ve never heard of from all walks of life deal with this every day, and for a myriad of reasons. Pressure to perform, pressure to conform, and a need to escape are the most common reasons.
Genetics makes people have different tolerances to chemicals, and therefore the likelihood to be addicted to all types of drugs will vary individually. Sadly, people often don’t know where they fall on that addiction scale until it’s too late.
Jennifer may have legitimately needed pain medication for an sports injury, and her body chemistry built up a physical addiction quickly. I think where we fall short is prescribing too quickly, not monitoring closely enough, and creating an environment where people are afraid / ashamed to admit there’s a problem before it’s too late. I wish she had been able to come forward without fear of reprisal or disgrace before she got to this point.
Steve Gentile says:
Merrill, you ask many great questions – How does that happen? Did her parents push her too hard? Is it too much success too soon? Does she have too much money? Did she peak too early in her life? How does this happen?
I don’t know if we can ever really know for sure, speaking from the outside of someone’s addiction experience. Addicts can be very successful or very unsuccessful people. Very wealthy, very poor. Smart as Einstein or dumb as the proverbial post.
I have seen it happen “close up” with friends and “far off” in cases like you illustrate with the fine Jenn Capriati. What is most important to remember is to never lose that last glimmer of hope, even in the darkest nights of a loved one’s addiction. Be that lifeline, be that voice of comfort, be that hug of compassion, be that outstretched hand. If you remember simply that “there but for the grace of G-d goes I” you stop the judgement and start the healing. All humanity is your brother – reach out and be that bright candle in another’s eye. Trust me, the reward is priceless. And could lead you in a new career direction ;-D