Cousins has gone to counselling sessions today

Alphanumeric

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#26
If his problem is ice, then he has a lot of work to do. Not on the track, but in kicking the addiction. I know so many people that want to quit for all the right reasons and it literally means their life, as it almost does for Cousins. They go a few weeks, then think they can just have a little bit, say if a friend offers it for free and they think it's a once off.

A lot of these people are decent sorts, but it can take up to a year to finally do it. We arent talking about pot here. It's more like heroin if not worse.

Good luck to him and I hope he can kcik it. Not a nice place to be for anyone. I'm sincere in that too.
I hope he can kick it?? Kick what??

WHERE DOES IT SAY THAT HE IS ADDICTED TO DRUGS??

This is getting way out of hand!

Have you seen a Ice addicted?? Do you think that an Ice addicted could play AFL football??

Think about what your writing.
 

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hoogs

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#27
I hope he can kick it?? Kick what??

WHERE DOES IT SAY THAT HE IS ADDICTED TO DRUGS??

This is getting way out of hand!

Have you seen a Ice addicted?? Do you think that an Ice addicted could play AFL football??

Think about what your writing.
Why don't YOU think about what I'm writing.

What part of the word if don't you understand. Is it the I or the F? By the way I want an answer. Don't do a Gunnar and go into your shell.


Originally Posted by hoogs View Post
If his problem is ice, then he has a lot of work to do. Not on the track, but in kicking the addiction. I know so many people that want to quit for all the right reasons and it literally means their life, as it almost does for Cousins. They go a few weeks, then think they can just have a little bit, say if a friend offers it for free and they think it's a once off.

A lot of these people are decent sorts, but it can take up to a year to finally do it. We arent talking about pot here. It's more like heroin if not worse.

Good luck to him and I hope he can kcik it. Not a nice place to be for anyone. I'm sincere in that too.
 

Kaitsey

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#28
most people on here wouldnt have a clue about addiction to drugs (including myself). so i have no idea whats going on. probably best not to make assumptions.
 

The Dice Man

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#29
most people on here wouldnt have a clue about addiction to drugs (including myself). so i have no idea whats going on. probably best not to make assumptions.
I think quite a few would have experience with addictions, but that's not the same as being an elite athlete (and Cousins is at the top of the heap) and having a substance addiction.

from my own experience I couldnt understand how someone of his physique and work rate could have any kind of drug addiction without breaking down and suffering some kind of heart failure... unless it was a steroid*.


* Not at all suggesting Cousins is using a steroid, just about the only kind of drug I could imagine being able to play AFL at the top level, and he is at the very top.
 

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#30
He is assuming the issues are drugs. How come no one has posted

IF the problem is his break up with his girlfriend.
IF the problem is depression.
IF the problem is alcohol.

Why is everything If the problem is drugs.

Has anyone thought about it being something else??
 

Alphanumeric

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#31
I think quite a few would have experience with addictions, but that's not the same as being an elite athlete (and Cousins is at the top of the heap) and having a substance addiction.

from my own experience I couldnt understand how someone of his physique and work rate could have any kind of drug addiction without breaking down and suffering some kind of heart failure... unless it was a steroid*.


* Not at all suggesting Cousins is using a steroid, just about the only kind of drug I could imagine being able to play AFL at the top level, and he is at the very top.
This has been my point right from the start.
 

The Dice Man

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#32
He is assuming the issues are drugs. How come no one has posted

IF the problem is his break up with his girlfriend.
IF the problem is depression.
IF the problem is alcohol.

Why is everything If the problem is drugs.

Has anyone thought about it being something else??
Could be any of the above, but it's all just heresay.


just hope he works his **** out because I love watching him play.
 

hoogs

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#33
He is assuming the issues are drugs. How come no one has posted

IF the problem is his break up with his girlfriend.
IF the problem is depression.
IF the problem is alcohol.

Why is everything If the problem is drugs.

Has anyone thought about it being something else??
That's not an apology.
 
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#36
Ben has had a problem for YEARS,hang around scumbags then unfortunately some sticks.Anyway I wish him well.Woosha denying that he has a problem is soft,Ben will admit to it soon enough himself.He has too to recover.
 

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jenny61_99

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#37
With Dalton stating Ben could be out for up to 12 months shows that it isn't just a simple case of anything. Whatever it is, be it depression or a dependancy, it's probably very complex and an integral part of the young man's life that will take time to remedy. People assuming that it can't be drugs shouldn't be so complacent - a number of top athlete's have been addicts and have continued to perform well. Everybody reacts differently to things.
 

footyfreak

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#38
Let me rephrase my comment.

You could be addicted to a drug and play AFL, BUT you would be lucky to get a kick.

It's been stated on a few other sites that he is the best runner in the AFL and an amazing athlete. We have all seen him play and both WCE supporters and opposition supporters agree the guy is a gun on the football field.

You can't preform at the level he does and be addicted to a drug. If his on-field efforts weren't up to scratch and he got dropped last year, then things would seem very suss.

But he had a great year last year, 553 possessions, 107 marks and 20 goals in 22 games. These are not stats of a person addicted to drugs.

People might come back and say that this happened after the season finished. Again, I don't think you can become addicted to a drug in 3-4 months, maybe heroine, not speed, coke or ecstasy.
I completely agree. To me it sounds like he just likes getting off tap say every second or third weekend and maybe a bit more often outside the 22 week season (26 for you boys;) )

If he was on the gear all the time there is no way he could play to the level he does. And if he is, then he is a super freak of immense proportions coz after a bender it really effects you 1-3 days later and if you back it up every weekend, let alone all the time i.e. addict you would be totally stuffed.

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Moderator #39
Only those close to Ben and within the inner sanctum of the club will know what his "issues" are, the rest of us can only speculate. However, given the action the club has taken it would be reasonable to assume that they are significant and have been around for some time.

Attending counselling is obviously a good sign as it indicates a desire on Ben's part to face whatever problems he has and start the road to recovery.

Sure he has let down himself, his teammates and his club with his behaviour but he has also brought us Eagles fans a lot of joy which should not be forgotten.

Personally, I wish him all the best and hope that he is successful in sorting out whatever he needs to and that he can return to the footy field sometime soon. It would too great a waste of talent if we don't see him again.
 

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#40
It,s good to hear. Maybe i was a bit quick to fire up about him but reading between the lines spoken by Gooding and Whoosha, i think he may have the Black Dog. Now depending how bad it is he may indeed be out for the whole season.
 

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#42
Ben has had a problem for YEARS,hang around scumbags then unfortunately some sticks.Anyway I wish him well.Woosha denying that he has a problem is soft,Ben will admit to it soon enough himself.He has too to recover.
It isn't up to Woosha or anybody else for that matter to say what is wrong with Ben Cousins other than the man himself.

I think Woosha learnt that from Trevor Nisbett's book "How to Advise the Media you've Suspended a Player, for Dummies". :D
 

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#44
With Dalton stating Ben could be out for up to 12 months shows that it isn't just a simple case of anything. Whatever it is, be it depression or a dependancy, it's probably very complex and an integral part of the young man's life that will take time to remedy. People assuming that it can't be drugs shouldn't be so complacent - a number of top athlete's have been addicts and have continued to perform well. Everybody reacts differently to things.
A number of top athlete's have been addicts and have continued to perform well.

Can you name some please??
 

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#45
from my own experience I couldnt understand how someone of his physique and work rate could have any kind of drug addiction without breaking down and suffering some kind of heart failure... unless it was a steroid*.
thats my experience too. iv known people who have been actually addicted to stuff, like requiring speed first thing in the morning, and i find it hard to believe that cuz uses any class a drug more that very occasionally. he just wouldnt be able to be the player he is in the league he is if he was the sort of guy that needed gear every day

of course, you dont need to be addicted to an illegal drug to have your personal life **** up so far that it takes over your professional one. trust me, alcohol, depression or women are all you need.

and when they start coming in combination is when there is real trouble
 

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#46
A number of top athlete's have been addicts and have continued to perform well.

Can you name some please??
Go to any major league baseball/basketball or soccer team in the world - there you will find a plethora of top performing coke heads. ;) You can't be that naive to think that it doesn't happen?? Oh the most recent in Australia that comes to mind was Wendell Sailor (although I don't believe he was addicted).

Here's some food for thought:

What are the effects of cocaine on athletic performance?
South American natives used cocaine for centuries to increase physical endurance and work efficiency. Early studies showed that cocaine had no positive effect on running times within a dose range of 0.1-20 mg/kg body weight. (No negative effect either)

And this:

The ACSM reports that the abuse of recreational drugs (e.g., alcohol, nicotine, cocaine and marijuana) among athletes far outweighs the abuse of performance-enhancing drugs (e.g., anabolic steroids).

According to the ACSM, cocaine is generally not used to enhance performance. Also, athletes are thought to be vulnerable to recreational substance abuse because they have some combination of the following variables: fame, money, free time and a feeling of invincibility.

Sometimes observers note behavioral changes in athletes, such as arriving at practice too early or too late, missing practice altogether or fighting with teammates.


*****
Please note that I don't know that Ben is on drugs let alone cocaine. All I am saying is don't be fooled in thinking that he may not be. It provides an instant euphoria (in no longer than 15 minutes depending on whether it is smoked or sniffed). He could easily be using the drug during the week and not on game day. His behaviour off field suggests something is not right.
 

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#47
Go to any major league baseball/basketball or soccer team in the world - there you will find a plethora of top performing coke heads. ;) You can't be that naive to think that it doesn't happen??
I follow both the American Baseball and Basketball leagues as closely as I do the AFL.

I don't know of any TOP players to be addicted to drugs. Even the past greats.

Don't get me wrong, alot of NBA players smoke weed and do coke but not the best players in the league. But saying Ben Cousins is addicted to drugs is like saying that Kobe Bryant or Derek Jeter are addicted to drugs.

There is no way Kobe Bryant could dominate games of basketball and be addicted to coke or speed or MDMA.

Taking drugs is one thing but being addicted to them, well they are not in the same ballpark.

I'm not naive, you're just missing my point.

**** Please note. I know the instant euphoria it brings on, has I have used most drugs. But my point is that the amount of pyshically effort a AFL footballer needs put in to compete at the standard Ben does would be extremely hard if he was addicted to coke, speed or ecstasy.
 

jenny61_99

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#48
I follow both the American Baseball and Basketball leagues as closely as I do the AFL.

I don't know of any TOP players to be addicted to drugs. Even the past greats.

Don't get me wrong, alot of NBA players smoke weed and do coke but not the best players in the league. But saying Ben Cousins is addicted to drugs is like saying that Kobe Bryant or Derek Jeter are addicted to drugs.

There is no way Kobe Bryant could dominate games of basketball and be addicted to coke or speed or MDMA.

Taking drugs is one thing but being addicted to them, well they are not in the same ballpark.

I'm not naive, you're just missing my point.


**** Please note. I know the instant euphoria it brings on, has I have used most drugs. But my point is that the amount of pyshically effort a AFL footballer needs put in to compete at the standard Ben does would be extremely hard if he was addicted to coke, speed or ecstasy.
Maybe the use of the word "addicted" was wrong in this instance. I do, however believe, he is a user... whether that makes him addicted I can't say. There are many instances of top athletes who use (particularly crack and cocaine)... and if you want I will find examples.

PS sorry I missed your point.:)
 

Alphanumeric

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#49
Maybe the use of the word "addicted" was wrong in this instance. I do, however believe, he is a user... whether that makes him addicted I can't say. There are many instances of top athletes who use (particularly crack and cocaine)... and if you want I will find examples.

PS sorry I missed your point.:)
Yeah I know top athletes use drugs. I just don't think they or Ben would be top athletes for to long if they were addicted.

No need to say sorry ;-)
 

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#50
With Dalton stating Ben could be out for up to 12 months shows that it isn't just a simple case of anything. Whatever it is, be it depression or a dependancy, it's probably very complex and an integral part of the young man's life that will take time to remedy. People assuming that it can't be drugs shouldn't be so complacent - a number of top athlete's have been addicts and have continued to perform well. Everybody reacts differently to things.
Wrong. Gooding in fact said " if may be a week, it may be a month, it may be 12 months". A bit different to saying " he may be out for up to 12 months".
 
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