Gary Ablett Senior - Acquired Brain Injury During Playing Career

[CD Xbow]

That’s a s**t take. You’re better than that. Do better.

Nonetheless it's true if he has been a user of amphetamines. I don't know what drugs he has used and for how long. If you use amphetamines for a significant length at time you will generally get structural brain damage with all the cognitive and behavioral problems that entails. They are one the worst of drugs. There are not many old speed freaks, they just don't make it whereas there are a reasonable of old junkies. For the scholars

Abuse of Amphetamines and Structural Abnormalities in Brain

I'm in no way trying to diminish he significance of his head injuries wrt to CTE (I'm not Dr McCrory!!) but it becomes complicated if he has used amphetamines significantly. It's also difficult because it's not easy to diagnose CTE, common brain scans don't show anything diagnostic.

does heroin usage not also have an effect on the brain?

Yes, but the structural changes are relatively minor in comparison. See Slatibardfasts excellent post above.

Added - This article talks about CTE and drug use. It's a layman's one.

What is Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy? | Banyan Philadelphia

While CTE has always been associated with head trauma, other factors may also contribute to this disease. Visit us here to learn more about the connection between chronic traumatic encephalopathy and drug abuse.

www.banyantreatmentcenter.com

 

[MisterMarcus]

Yes and how much of that brain injury is due to all the drugs he would have taken?

Or.....he turned to drugs as a way to 'self medicate' his concussion symptoms?

 

[Rich01]

It’s a sad diagnosis for Ablett Snr.

We will probably never know if it was his drug abuse or the hits he took playing football that caused it.

 

[sobrave]

Or.....he turned to drugs as a way to 'self medicate' his concussion symptoms?

did the opponents he concussed during his playing career also turn to drugs?

 

[Commando]

I believe the issue here is the AFL unwillingness to assist in treatment

This whole concussion suit is very difficult to prove from the players perspective but collectively they are saying post retirement help simply hasn’t been available

 

[Psi-Roos]

I was knocked out at least 3 times in under 15's and under 17's, always went straight back on as did all players and also knocked out a few more times in general life, Im 60 this year and so far seem to have my wits about me but it seems to affect people differently.

We need to put a lot more money into research in these areas but in reality life is a risk, I wouldnt have liked it if I wasnt able too play contact sports, people now fully understand the risks so have to make a decision if they want to take the risk of concussion in a contact sport or not, at this stage there is no way to completely erradicate concussion if you have heavy contact.

Im 40. I have had, easily, 20-25 have a sleep, goodnight concussions from playing Rugby, Aussie Rules, fighting and my old Job. My most recent being 3 years ago. I wear a helmet to play football now and that has helped.

My memory can be like swiss cheese. I have developed Major Depression and sometimes really struggle to comprehend every day life. I have headaches constantly and now vertigo.

As kids, you got cleaned up, got back up and went again. I played many games with the whole field in a fog. I think we are making more and more steps in the right direction but there still needs to be further research. I fully support young kids wearing helmets while they are learning.

At the end of the day though, it is a contact sport with inherent risk. We play because we love it.

 

[ThatsjustDappa]

Nonetheless it's true if he has been a user of amphetamines. I don't know what drugs he has used and for how long. If you use amphetamines for a significant length at time you will generally get structural brain damage with all the cognitive and behavioral problems that entails. They are one the worst of drugs. There are not many old speed freaks, they just don't make it whereas there are a reasonable of old junkies. For the scholars

Abuse of Amphetamines and Structural Abnormalities in Brain

I'm in no way trying to diminish he significance of his head injuries wrt to CTE (I'm not Dr McCrory!!) but it becomes complicated if he has used amphetamines significantly. It's also difficult because it's not easy to diagnose CTE, common brain scans don't show anything diagnostic.


Yes, but the structural changes are relatively minor in comparison. See Slatibardfasts excellent post above.

Added - This article talks about CTE and drug use. It's a layman's one.

What is Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy? | Banyan Philadelphia

While CTE has always been associated with head trauma, other factors may also contribute to this disease. Visit us here to learn more about the connection between chronic traumatic encephalopathy and drug abuse.

www.banyantreatmentcenter.com

Bit academic if you said you have no idea what drugs he has used and for how long. Half the AFL and half the general population has probably taken illicit substances so could speculate the same for anyone with a brain injury...

 

[Tiger2709]

Im 40. I have had, easily, 20-25 have a sleep, goodnight concussions from playing Rugby, Aussie Rules, fighting and my old Job. My most recent being 3 years ago. I wear a helmet to play football now and that has helped.

My memory can be like swiss cheese. I have developed Major Depression and sometimes really struggle to comprehend every day life. I have headaches constantly and now vertigo.

As kids, you got cleaned up, got back up and went again. I played many games with the whole field in a fog. I think we are making more and more steps in the right direction but there still needs to be further research. I fully support young kids wearing helmets while they are learning.

At the end of the day though, it is a contact sport with inherent risk. We play because we love it.

Hi mate, firstly never give up on yourself, my wife is bi polar so I sort of get how hard depression is, at least from the outside, hope your going okay.

Your right, time to spend some money on finding ways to lessen the damage, while putting time into finding ways to at least stabilise the issues CTE causes. We dont want a ban on.contact sports as that is pretty much all of them when it comes to concussion.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Not to sound harsh but I’d want to see the diagnosis or hear from the qualified person who made it before the conversation on him is even had.

Ablett has said a lot of downright crazy things in his time.

I personally wouldn’t take his word on anything, and knowing how modern media works, no fact checking would’ve been done.

 

[footyfan1978]

Why is it a ‘s**t take’? His drug taking is well documented. Do you not think that may have taken a toll on him and perhaps contributed to any brain injury he has?

The Chicken and egg scenario. Brain damage from religious nutter thinking that leads to drug taking or drug taking leads to religious nutter thinking?
Toss a coin...

 

[RUNVS]

The Chicken and egg scenario. Brain damage from religious nutter thinking that leads to drug taking or drug taking leads to religious nutter thinking?
Toss a coin...

Ablett seems like the type of person who would fake illness as well in order to make money. I heard a few years ago he charges Geelong to make appearances at functions, though I am not sure how true that is.

 

[kaiserchief13]

Poor that the AFL would not even pay for the scan .
Any player showing these symptoms should have the scan funded by the AFL.

How can it be proved afl games caused it? Ablett taking all those narcotics may have wrecked his brain

 

[footyfan1978]

Ablett seems like the type of person who would fake illness as well in order to make money. I heard a few years ago he charges Geelong to make appearances at functions, though I am not sure how true that is.

Yeah, you do not seem too sure of anything. The world is your oyster.

 

[00Stinger]

Liked heroin too.



Sent from my SM-S908E using Tapatalk

 

[Rich01]

He says he asked the AFLPA for $$$ but they haven’t given him any. I wonder what the motive is for him speaking out now.

 

[Atomboy]

did the opponents he concussed during his playing career also turn to drugs?

Should ask Kristian Bardsley, Nathan Burke and David Grant as a starting point.

Peter Caven also should be asking some questions.

 

[Slartibartfast]

How can it be proved afl games caused it? Ablett taking all those narcotics may have wrecked his brain

We know players suffered head knocks while playing , AFL should pay for tests regardless for this reason alone . Tell me what physical damage to Brain structure do drugs do? Hint, read links already posted

STEP 1. The test is to quantify the damage . AFL pay!

 

[Tulip]

Bit academic if you said you have no idea what drugs he has used and for how long. Half the AFL and half the general population has probably taken illicit substances so could speculate the same for anyone with a brain injury...

Mate, with respect, nobody is poking fun at him for having taken drugs. Its not "well its illegal", because everything from weed upwards is technically 'illegal'. Ablett was a heroin user, that will have serious long term consequences, particularly when paired with the concussions.

 

[the harry]

All I remember hearing about Ablett was how he struggled to function like a normal person, couldn't pay bills, arrive on time, remember names ect.

Think he's probably coming from further back in the pack with this claim than others

 

[Kanye West]

Bigger chance it was off field in the boxing ring. IMOOC

 

[SA HAWK]

A lot of ex players in the same boat for sure.

 

[Outtatym]

That’s a s**t take. You’re better than that. Do better.

Except it's not. It's a valid point.

 

[MisterMarcus]

Some posts here are so tryhard-'edgy' they should be on Reddit....

 

[jim boy]

I am pretty sure that Ablett is the only player ever to have taken illicit drugs

 

[darcytiger]