While the NFL and the NFL Players’ Association try and hash out a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) before the 2011 season begins, many players are left waiting in limbo. That’s because when the work stops, so does the insurance coverage. Many players who were involved in drug treatment programs before the lockout are now left wondering if they will continue the programs without NFL moral and financial support.
Adolfo Birch who oversees the drug-testing program is concerned for athletes. He believes that as many as 70 percent will stop attending treatment for substance abuse when faced with footing the bill themselves. He believes that we will start to see players begin to fail mandatory drug tests once a new CBA is reached.
Birch says that those struggling with addictions often need a little push in the right direction in order to stay clean. He is concerned what will happen to the players and their families since the programs are no longer obligatory. Birch advises that players have been notified of new conditions during the coverage gap and have been told that they are more than welcome to continue seeing the same health professionals they were seeing before, they would just be doing it on their own.
During the lockout, which started on March 11, players are required to pay for all medical care out of their own pocket. Similar to anyone else who loses a job or is in between jobs, COBRA is offered as a high priced alternative to losing insurance coverage. As long as premiums are paid, coverage for medical care, including substance abuse treatment, is covered (at least in part) during the interim.
Birch is unsure just how many players might be affected by the gap in coverage. Since those players in the NFL drug program are protected under a confidentiality agreement, it is difficult to say with certainty how many are currently being treated. Players who choose to disobey the substance abuse policy face medical evaluation and counseling as well as a four-game suspension after failing three drug tests. Those who test positive for steroids immediately face a four-game suspension.
Since the lockout, there have been five players arrested for drug abuse. One of those was Green Bay player, Johnny Jolly, who was recently arrested for unlawful possession of codeine. During any given year, the NFL requires players to submit to about 26,000 random drug tests. Tests for performance-enhancing drugs consist of approximately 14,000 of those tests while the remainder is for recreational drugs. The NFL also conducts close to 6000 tests after the season is over.
Birch advises that mandatory drug testing will resume once a new collective bargaining agreement is reached. He has faith that, in the interim, the majority of players will continue to avoid prohibited medications and other drugs. Those caught violating the NFL’s policy during the lockout will still face repercussions. A hotline is provided for players who wish to inquire about which products are considered acceptable by the NFL.
One drug that the NFL doesn’t test for is human growth hormone. While Birch is the first to admit that the program is far from perfect, he is proud at how far it has come since its inception. He goes on to say that he hopes players will continue to take advantage of the program during the coverage gap and face their problems with substance abuse so that both the players and the game remain protected.
http://www.addictiontreatmentmagazine.com/addiction-treatment/nfl-drops-drug-treatment-program/