Mission

The mission of the Pro Sports Program (PSP) is to provide a confidential anonymous pathway to restore former professional athletes and their families to good health who suffer from chronic pain, medication and substance use disorders.

Background

It is currently unknown the number of former professional athletes that suffer from chronic pain syndromes requiring opiate medication who also may have concomitant substance use disorders. Yet, it is reasonable to assume that there are significant numbers of persons who can benefit from remedial services. Many persons who suffer from chronic pain require ongoing opiate medication, but there are a number of others who may be able to manage their pain with other modalities and can be managed without continuous opiate therapy. The average professional football player’s career is less than five years. Some of the careers are cut short because of serious injury. Other careers are affected by substance use disorders occurring independently of any significant injury. In many cases, regardless of the cause, promising careers are prematurely ended due to psychological and adjustment issues that require attention, as well. These issues of chronic pain, medication and substance use disorders, as well as psychosocial adjustment problems can be managed expertly through the PSP.

Outreach-peer Counseling

Former professional athletes will perform the outreach services for the PSP. This network of professional athletes will make initial contact with the members of the professional sports and the alumni associations. Professional league management services will also advise of the existence of the PSP and the services that are offered. Those members of the outreach group will be afforded the opportunity to become peer-counselors through Professional Counselor certificate training. Peer counselors will earn a certificate and be able to follow up with those individuals who complete the program.

The Process

Persons who are referred to the PSP will undergo a thorough, confidential, and comprehensive evaluation for their issues. Individuals with chronic pain problems will undergo an evaluation by an Orthopedic / Pain specialist to assess their injury and their need for appropriate medication. Those individuals will also undergo an evaluation for their use of pain medications and for the presence or absence of any substance use disorders. This comprehensive evaluation will also seek to uncover any psychosocial issues that require attention, as well. Upon completion, state-of-the-art recommendations will be made to expertly address the identified needs of each athlete. Each athlete will receive an individualized treatment plan devised to address their specific issues and needs.

Treatment Process

Appropriate program participants will be referred for admission into a specialized residential program to receive the individualized, confidential treatment required. Their pain syndromes will be addressed and modified in all cases to provide them with a more comfortable existence going forward. Substance use disorders will be similarly expertly and respectfully treated according to the state-of-the-art protocols regarding detoxification, rehabilitation and ongoing appropriate medical maintenance, if indicated. New coping skills will be taught to those athletes that require new methodologies to manage the psychosocial issues that previously impacted and interfered with their ability to enjoy their lives.

Health Benefits Advocacy

Health care benefit advocacy shall also be provided through the PSP. Services will be provided to help the PSP participants to access any health care benefits that they are entitled to receive under the health care coverage programs and products that they possess. This service is integral, in many cases, to assure that the athlete is able to obtain the treatment that they need and deserve.

Contact Information

Initial contact should be made through our admission’s department 1 866 747 5066