Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers Overcomes Alcohol Addiction

Often when I teach alcohol awareness classes my students ask me if I can tell them a success story where man preeminent has overcome drug or alcohol abuse and done great things because of it. An clear current Hollywood option would be Robert Downey, Jr... indeed not Lindsay Lohan. However, being October, with Major League Baseball's World Series taking center stage it is a exquisite time to tell the story of Josh Hamilton.

Many baseball fans have heard the name Josh Hamilton. Texas Rangers fans worship the man. He is currently the starting centerfielder for the Rangers, the American League Champion facing the San Francisco Giants in the 2010 World Series. In a sports world filled with great stories, there is no good story about the destruction of drugs and alcohol than the story of Josh Hamilton. His story could have been like a lot of others. He could have come to be an additional one statistic. But Hamilton's story is thoroughly unique in the world of major pro sports stars.

Hamilton

Hamilton was the all-world talent, the quintessential blue-chip prospect. As an 18-year-old Hamilton was the #1 draft pick of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1999. His high school vocation was stellar, his early pro vocation in the minors very promising. Hamilton was on the fast-track to becoming the next Major League Baseball superstar.

Then, use anything cliché you like, but the "bottom fell out", "the wheels went off the track." Two years after being prime #1 in the draft it was not only Hamilton's vocation that was in jeopardy, but his life.

The cause of Hamilton's downfall - drugs and alcohol. His drug of option at last became crack cocaine. The next four years of his life would revolve colse to drugs. He admits to picking up a glove and swinging a bat only a handful of times while this period. Hamilton was swiftly heading to be an additional one statistic.

Then, on October 7, 2005 Hamilton made a decision that would again alter his life forever. He decided to quit using drugs and alcohol. It is not surprising that this was not his first endeavor to stop using. He claims he quit more times than he could count and is proof that you should always try stopping. at last it will take hold.

Like many recovering addicts Hamilton's path to sobriety and his companion in his efforts to stay sober is God. The one setback he suffered was in early 2009 in Tempe, Arizona bar where he was filmed intoxicated and looking for cocaine.

After becoming sober in October, 2005, he would work hard to resurrect his baseball career. The Devil Rays had given up on him and he became the asset of the Cincinnati Reds, when in 2007 he made his rookie debut by smacking 19 home runs and batting.292 in about a half of a season.

Hamilton's talent was never questioned and playing and remaining sober brought out the bets in him. After being traded to the Texas Rangers he rewarded his new team by batting.302 with 32 homers and 130 runs batted in playing his first full season.

Still sober, Hamilton is one of the favorites to win the Most requisite Player Award in the American League. Despite playing straight through injuries, Hamilton batted a league-best.359 with 32 home runs and 100 runs batted in. His vocation is in full swing.

Still only 29 Hamilton should still have abundance of years left. He is truly one of the success stories. So, as you watch the World Series, keep an eye out for the #3 batter in the Texas Rangers' lineup. He is a story worth cheering for.

Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers Overcomes Alcohol Addiction