from FCO///
"My opinion is that if everything went well after Sanders rehab and he got the help he needs, then this is one heck of a steal. But he could be a bad teammate and hurt the cohesion for our young group. Again, he could just need a fresh scene and a new coach, that is well known for his success with younger players."
________
the problem, of course, is that the solution may lie less with getting the help he needs than it does with that help actually changing his behavior in a positive way. the first is easy. the second is far, far murkier.
do a google search of article on the percentage of successful recoveries from alcoholism and you will see that it is very unclear how successful rehab is. heck, even the definition of success is problematic. successful in what terms? one year of no drinking? 5 years? a lifetime?
studies indicate that alcoholics with NO intervention basically stop drinking at a rate of around 24%. that is, about 1 out of 4 wise up on their own.
for people in therapy, there is little systematic work done to track people AFTER they leave rehab, so reliable numbers are hard to get. but using AA examples, about 32% to 34% members have stopped drinking for at least 5 years. great! except that that number is for those who STAY IN AA. of those who walk away, no one knows for sure.
bottom line: rehab will not change sanders. only sanders will change sanders.
do we have evidence that he wishes to transform his life, stop drinking, turn over a new leaf, will follow the rehab and post-rehab regime? if so, then buy me a ticket for the trade-for-sanders express. if not, then book me a room in the vin-baker-suite of no thank you.