Lists

Star Athletes Who Suffered From Substance Abuse

Darren Ryding - February 19, 2020
Lists

Star Athletes Who Suffered From Substance Abuse

Darren Ryding - February 19, 2020

Almost everybody wants to be famous, and becoming an elite athlete is one way to get there. However, one thing we don’t think about when we picture our names in lights is the pressure that comes with celebrity status. It’s ridiculously intense and many people struggle to deal with it. This often leads to substance abuse for escapism.

Unfortunately, that often ends badly. Today we’re going to examine 40 athletes who used these substances with negative consequences. Maybe they were party animals and allowed it to go too furthers. Others simply sought relief from the world. Some are more serious than others but they all lost out because of drugs and alcohol. Check out the full list below via Bleacher Report.

Mandatory Credit: The Independent

40. Mike Tyson

Let’s kick off this list with one of the most notorious athletes in sports history. Tyson was the youngest heavyweight champion of all time when he won his first title at the age of 20. He was a wrecking ball of destruction as none of his opponents could contend with his power. However, Tyson endured many well-documented problems outside of the ring. This was because he was surrounded by many negative influencing factors.

Mandatory Credit: DAZN

Tyson admits that he consumed a lot of drugs throughout his time as a champion. But he took even more when he retired and ballooned in weight. It’s not unusual for athletes to suffer significant weight gain after retirement. However, ‘Iron Mike’ made problems much worse for himself with a lot of substance abuse. In the end, Tyson bounced back and cleaned up his act by giving up cocaine.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

39. Dion Jordan

Jordan has played for four NFL throughout his career. In 2020, he signed for the San Francisco 49ers, but it ‘s been a long road up until this point. This is because the defensive end suffered significant substance abuse throughout his adult life. Furthermore, this had a direct impact on his professional career. His mother was a drug addict and he admits that this had a profound impact on his life.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

During his time with the Miami Dolphins, he received multiple suspensions for breaching the NFL substance abuse guidelines. Ultimately he sat out for 15 months. Then, in 2018, he foolishly allowed his Adderall exemption to expire and continued to take the substance for his ADHD. In sum, Jordan had to deal with a lot throughout his life. But he appears to be back on the straight and narrow.

Mandatory Credit: Golf Channel

38. Dustin Johnson

One of the best golfers in the world, Johnson is a regular force on the PGA Tour. The multiple-time Major winner is a regular feature in the World Number One spot. Meanwhile, he also married Wayne Gretzky’s daughter, Paulina. All of this sounds fantastic, but it doesn’t reflect the full reality of Johnson’s life. This is because Johnson suffered from substance abuse throughout his career.

Mandatory Credit: Yahoo Sports!

In short, Johnson had a major drug problem. First, he received a six-month ban for marijuana use. Then the PGA suspended him three times after he tested positive for cocaine. Eventually, he kicked his habit and became one of the greatest golfers ever. Johnson won his first Major in 2016 and now has over 20 wins to his name. It’s easy to go down a dark path, but Johnson was able to bounce back.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

37. P.J. Tucker

Tucker was outstanding for the Houston Rockets since his arrival at the grand old age of 32. But he arrived in the league the long way after a spell in Israel where he even won MVP honors. Meanwhile, Tucker endured issues off the court including one of the craziest DUI incidents in NBA history. Police pulled the then-Phoenix start over in 2014 in Scottsdale, Arizona, following erratic driving.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

He had bloodshot eyes and slurred his words. Obviously, he was drunk but the question was just how drunk? When police checked the test results they were stunned. His blood alcohol content registered .201 which is officially ‘super-extreme.’ Many people have a wild night where they consume one or two too many drinks. But to be described as ‘super-extreme’ is quite obviously substance abuse.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

36. Daryl Washington

In 2013, Washington was part of one of the best defenses in the NFL. The former Arizona Cardinals’ linebacker was excellent all season but it ended in tears. This was because Arizona didn’t take kindly to Washington breaking NFL substance abuse rules yet again. He received a lengthy suspension and the Cardinals told him to pack his bags because he had put the franchise in a bad position.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

The repeated violations were due to marijuana use. While this may seem ridiculous to anybody who lives in California, the fact remains that Washington knew the rules. The Cardinals paid him millions of dollars per year to play. If he didn’t put that toke to his lips and inhale they would continue to pay him. But he made a poor choice when he didn’t need to.

Mandatory Credit: Sky Sports

35. Jake Livermore

Livermore broke onto the scene with Tottenham Hotspurs but failed to make the grade. They sold him to Hull City where the England international became one of the team’s most important players. However, he stunned the Premier League when he tested positive for cocaine in 2014. Nobody expected it from him but the Premier League revealed there were mitigating circumstances.

Mandatory Credit: Sky Sports

The young man suffered the loss of his infant son and went off the rails. Instantly, everybody empathized with him. Usually, the Premier League has a zero-tolerance attitude toward the use of any banned substance. However, they recognized that this was a unique and tragic situation. Instead of punishing him, they mandated that he attend rehabilitation. It was a far more constructive solution than in many other cases.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

34. Nicholas Dalby

Dalby is one of Europe’s top MMA fighters. The Danish star fights in the UFC’s welterweight division. A former Cage Warriors’ champion, the UFC signed him after a series of impressive performances. However, after drawing with future title contender Darren Till, he lost two in a row. As a result, the UFC cut him from their roster. Dalby sunk into depression because of this and went down the substance abuse route.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

He openly admits to alcoholism and hurtful behavior toward his loved ones. However, he was able to turn things around and returned to MMA after a hiatus of almost two years. Then, he reclaimed his Cage Warriors strap. Finally, the road to redemption was completed when the UFC signed him again. It was an emotional journey but a beautiful one because of all the obstacles in his path.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

33. Tyson Fury

The only boxer in the last decade to hold each of the main heavyweight titles, Fury is a phenomenon. Immensely popular but also very controversial, ‘The Gypsy King’ is a compelling figure. This is because he is so volatile that fans don’t know if he’ll be the greatest ever or self-destruct. He came remarkably close to the latter after defeating Wladimir Klitschko and becoming the world unified heavyweight champion.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

He ballooned in weight and also endured heavy substance abuse. Fury’s depression almost drove him to suicide. He rebounded but controversially claims that alleged Irish cartel leader Daniel Kinahan was responsible for shaking him out of it. Then, in one of the great redemption stories, Fury came back to fight Deontay Wilder twice and claim the WBC heavyweight championship.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

32. Jason Kidd

A 10-time All-Star, Kidd was a brilliant NBA player as well as a champion with the Dallas Mavericks. Later, he won another ring as a coach with the L.A. Lakers. Meanwhile, he enjoyed national success as he won two Olympic gold medals as part of Team USA. However, all of this glory makes it easy to forget that Kidd endured his fair share of problems off the court, including substance abuse.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

His most high-profile incident saw police arrest him for DUI in 2012. The then-Knicks guard wrote off his car at 2 am in the morning in New York state. Southampton Town police described him as highly intoxicated and claimed that he refused to take a breath test. They arrested him and impounded what was left of his car. It was an embarrassing incident for everybody involved.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

31. Ricky Hatton

One of the most popular British boxers ever, Hatton took thousands of fans with him when he fought in the United States. A two-weight champion, Hatton held several light-welterweight straps as well as the WBA welterweight title. This took him into direct contact with Floyd Mayweather in one of the most anticipated fights of the decade. He fought ‘Money’ Mayweather in 2007 but suffered a brutal defeat.

Mandatory Credit: Sky Sports

Hatton immediately sunk into depression after this defeat and succumbed to substance abuse. He drank himself silly and put on a lot of weight. Furthermore, he used what was described as ‘industrial quantities’ of cocaine on nights out. Fortunately, he had a strong support network around him and he went to rehab where he recovered. Nobody likes to see a legend suffer like this.

Mandatory Credit: Twitter

30. George Best

Former Manchester United star Best is a soccer legend. He was one of the first true sports superstars. Highly skilled, he is one of the best players never to appear in a World Cup. But the Northern Irishman also developed a reputation for hard living that curtailed his career and life.

Mandatory Credit: Sky Sports

He suffered from alcoholism for most of his adulthood. Once in the US, he even stole a handbag so that he could fund a drinking session. His intense drinking caused irrevocable harm to his liver. Best died at the age of 59 due to complications with his medication after a transplant. In the end, substance abuse was the end.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

29. Don Rogers

Rogers is one of the most tragic figures on this list. The Cleveland Browns selected him in the 1984 draft. He went on and played two seasons for them, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year. But his career and life came to an early and unexpected end in 1986. Sadly, substance abuse can prove fatal and this proved to be the case.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

The day before his wedding, he died of a cocaine overdose. His death came just eight days after that of NBA rookie Len Bias, who also overdosed. These two fatalities rocked US sports and opened up a national discourse on the pandemic. NFL athletes should never forget him.

Mandatory Credit: Yahoo Sports

28. Bob Probert

One half of the Detroit Red Wings’ ‘Bruise Brothers,’ Probert was a tough enforcer in the NHL. As well as starring for Detroit, he also played for the Chicago Blackhawks. His list of fights during games is astounding. But Probert’s antics off the ice saw him get in a lot of trouble.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

He once spent three months in prison for trying to bring cocaine across the Detroit-Windsor border. In 1994, he crashed his motorcycle into a car. Needless to say, he had been drinking and using cocaine. Probert also spent time in and out of rehab. This late-great star suffered from substance abuse for most of his adult life but deserved better.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

27. Theo Fleury

Most commentators thought that Fleury was too small to make it in the NHL. But he went on to score over 1000 points. He was also at the center of the infamous Punchup in Piestany between Canada and Russia. Depression, drug use, and alcoholism all dogged his career and ultimately put an end to it in 2003. In short, substance abuse is no joke.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Fleury’s story is a dark one. Winnipeg Warriors scout Graham James spotted him as a youngster. James told him he had what it took to make it in the league. It later emerged that James sexually abused the young Fleury, sending him spiraling. Since retirement, Fleury has stabilized his life and now works as a motivational speaker.

Mandatory Credit: All Sports

26. Michael Irvin

Irvin was a phenom for the Dallas Cowboys throughout the 1990s. He helped them win three Super Bowls and established himself as a star along the way. Irvin also appeared in five Pro Bowls in a glittering career. But drugs tarnished the public’s perception of him. Sadly, many people prejudge athletes for substance abuse before listening to their stories.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

He’s taken a lot of cocaine in his time and it’s gotten him into trouble with the law. Police have arrested him multiple times for his love of the white line. Irvin has had to deal with allegations of sexual assault in the past. His drug use definitely hasn’t helped him defend himself.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

25. Lawrence Taylor

This former New York Giants linebacker was a magnificent player. However, he’s also an incredibly flawed human being who endured significant substance abuse. Taylor admitted he would take crack cocaine up to three times a week during his playing career. The two-time Super Bowl champion started using drugs when he was in his second season as a pro.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Things only escalated from there. While he was brilliant on the field, he was constantly in trouble off it. The NFL suspended him several times for violating their drug policies. Authorities have jailed him three times for attempted drug possession since he retired. Then there was his scandal involving a 16-year-old girl. One of the best players on the football field, Taylor was, unfortunately, one of the worst off of it.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

24. Jon Jones

Many consider Jones to be the greatest MMA fighter of all-time. The UFC light heavyweight champion is no doubt masterful in the octagon. ‘Bones’ looks close to unstoppable. However, his worst enemy is himself. Every time he’s got in trouble, it’s because of his love of alcohol and party drugs in addition to performance-enhancing substances.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

This has seen him get into some very messy situations. His worst moment came when he hit a pregnant woman’s vehicle, breaking her arm before running away. In short, that’s something impossible to shake. This wasn’t his first incident driving impaired either. Jones also lost his title after testing positive for PEDs.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

23. Vin Baker

Baker suffered severe ups and downs during his NBA career. He was an All-Star for four consecutive seasons but also struggled with alcoholism. Things got really bad during his brief time with the Boston Celtics. His weight ballooned and his coach even smelled alcohol on his breath.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

After the Celtics released him following a suspension, his career never really recovered. He spent the remaining years of his time in the NBA jumping between franchises. His reliance on alcohol stimulated depression and Baker couldn’t recapture his early form. It was sad but his substance abuse had a terrible impact upon his career.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

22. Nate Newton

Newton had a very successful NFL career. The overwhelming majority of his career was with the Dallas Cowboys. He was one of the best guards to play in the NFL for over a decade, winning three Super Bowls. Newton also played in six Pro Bowls. That all sounds great, but substance abuse ruined his life.

Mandatory Credit: Sportscasting

Police stopped Newton twice in 2001 with large quantities of marijuana in his vehicles. You can get away with just a fine if it’s for personal use. However, a court convicted him of drug trafficking and sentenced him to 30 months in prison. Since his release, he’s been clean.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

21. Tim Lincecum

Lincecum is one of the best MLB players of the modern era. He helped the San Francisco Giants to three World Series titles in five years. Furthermore, he won the Babe Ruth Award in 2010. Nicknamed ‘The Freak,’ Lincecum isn’t particularly big but he could produce insane power from his pitches.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

But even Lincecum has had problems when it comes to drugs. Obviously, attitudes in the US differ from state to state. Washington State Police stopped him for speeding on his way home to Seattle in 2009. Immediately they smelt marijuana and saw a pipe. They fined him for this misdemeanor.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

20. Dennis Rodman

It’s no secret that Rodman has struggled with alcoholism down through the years. He was a massive party animal during his playing days, but it all got too much for him. He’s been in and out of rehab and attends 12-Step meetings. However, even this hasn’t always gone smoothly. Substance abuse is incredibly difficult to overcome.

Dennis Rodman
Mandatory Credit: Youtube

When you’re an alcoholic, every day is a challenge. Rodman relapsed after a trip to North Korea. Police arrested him in 2018 for driving under the influence. It’s not been an easy road for Rodman, who was a brilliant player back in his heyday. Hopefully, he can keep it all under control moving forward.

Allen Iverson
Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

19. Allen Iverson

There was a time when Iverson was one of the most popular players in the NBA. ‘The Answer’ wasn’t a big man, but he didn’t need to be. An 11-time All-Star, Iverson was also an NBA MVP. He spent 14 seasons in the NBA, playing mostly for the Philadelphia 76ers. However, Iverson has faced adversity off the court.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Alcohol and gambling have cost him a lot. His wife separated from him while taking custody of their five children. His drinking made her feel unsafe around him and their marriage collapsed. Police also arrested him in 1997 for marijuana possession. To sum up, Iverson suffered a lot of negative consequences because of his substance abuse.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

18. Steve Howe

In 1992, the MLB banned Howe for life for drug use. This made him the second player in history to receive their harshest penalty. Howe had tons of problems with cocaine and alcohol during his time in the big league. They suspended him seven times for drug-related violations.

Mandatory Credit: Sports Illustrated

He first checked himself into a rehab clinic in 1983, but a relapse saw him miss the entire 1984 season. Howe still showed flashes of brilliance every time he came back. He successfully appealed against his ban for life and played one final great season in 1994. Sadly he died in 2006 in a car collision with methamphetamine in his system.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

17. Thurman Thomas

A key part of the Bills that won four successive AFC Championships, Thomas was a top NFL running back. The NFL legend is deservedly in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He also won the 1991 NFL MVP award. But he got in trouble because of drugs and alcohol. This combination of substance abuse had a terrible impact upon him.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Thomas is a self-admitted alcoholic. Alabama police arrested him in 2006 for possession of marijuana and being under the influence. He’s spent time in rehab in Minnesota at various points and is doing his best to stay clean. It just goes to show that all the success in the world doesn’t translate to a healthy life.

Mandatory Credit: Bleacher Report

16. Rob Van Dam

Professional wrestlers might not be athletes in the competitive sense of the word but they still have to be in outstanding shape. Van Dam is one of the most successful in history. He’s the only man to hold the WWE, ECW, and TNA Championships. But real life has seen him get in trouble with substances.

Mandatory Credit: Sporting News

Van Dam is a devout marijuana advocate, yet it’s got him into trouble in the past. An Ohio State Trooper arrested him in 2006 after discovering 18 grams of hashish and five Vicodin in his car. This got him in trouble with the WWE, who suspended him for a month without pay.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

15. John Daly

One look at Daly today will tell you that he’s not a regular athlete. The hard-living golfer initially rose to stardom because he had that everyman vibe about him. Nowadays he’s a parody of himself in his awful trousers. Even his swing coach quit because his substance abuse got so bad.

Mandatory Credit: Golf Channel

Police once took Daly in protective custody when they found him unconscious outside a Hooters in 2008. To make things worse, he was lying in a pool of his own urine. The heavy drinker also has a gambling problem. Things definitely aren’t all sunshine and roses in his life.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

14. Todd Marinovich

The story of the NFL’s first test-tube player is a shocking one. Marinovich’s father put his son on a special training program to turn him into the perfect athlete. His conditioning started when he was one month old and attracted the attention of ESPN.

Mandatory Credit: CBS Sports

Needless to say, all of this pressure was never going to end well for him. Marinovich inevitably turned to substance abuse as a teenager. This resulted in arrests in college and failed drug tests during his short NFL career. Now retired, he combines work as a coach for the San Diego Strike Force and as an artist.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

13. Jennifer Capriati

It looked like Capriati was going to be tennis’s next big superstar. But she went from golden girl to drug addict in a set of shocking circumstances. She was the youngest-ever professional at the age of 13 and the youngest-ever player to reach the top 10 at the age of 14. But unfortunately, she’d spend more time in rehab than on the court.

Mandatory Credit: Sports Illustrated

In 1993, her problems started. Police arrested her for drug possession and shoplifting. A stint in rehab soon followed. The pressure that she was under made things even worse. She admitted that at one point she even considered suicide. The two-time Grand Slam winner bounced back but never achieved her full potential.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

12. Marcus Camby

A phenomenal blocker, Camby was the 2006-07 Defensive Player of the Year. He also made the NBA All-Defensive Team four times. You’d think with all of these accolades, Camby would never have a reason to get in trouble, yet that’s not true.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Houston police pulled him over in 2011 in a drug-free zone. Unfortunately for Camby, he didn’t get the drug-free memo because they found marijuana in his Porsche. The police arrested him and his friend at the scene. It was an unfortunate incident for the NBA veteran.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

11. Ricky Williams

Williams has a fair rep as a massive stoner. The former Heisman Trophy winner played 12 seasons in the NFL. The 2002 Pro bowl star tested positive for marijuana in 2003. In short, the NFL was ready to throw the book at the Miami Dolphins star for substance abuse.

Mandatory Credit: Sports Illustrated

He faced a $650,000 fine and a four-game ban for his indiscretion. To sum up, the NFL has little acceptance when it comes to drug use of any kind. However, his quirky personality has seen him confuse people in the past. He even moved to the CFL to pursue his love of yoga in Toronto.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

10. Len Bias

Bias’ story is a terrible story and a warning to youngsters across the world. Bias was basically the Zion Williamson of his day. A college superstar, the Boston Celtics selected him as the second overall pick in the 1986 draft. His future looked bright but tragedy struck and robbed the young man of his life.

Mandatory Credit: Sports Illustrated

Bias went back to the University of Maryland to celebrate with his friends. For about three or four hours he shared cocaine with his friends in their dorm room. He had a cardiac arrest and sadly passed away. His funeral attracted 11,000 mourners. It also prompted the Reagan administration to introduce new drug laws.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

9. Dwight Gooden

Another man who likes cocaine a bit too much, Gooden has struggled with drug problems throughout his life. The MLB star played in 16 seasons spanning 430 games. However, alcohol and drug abuse derailed his longevity and wrecked his career.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

In 1995, the MLB suspended him for the season after a failed drug test. His wife later found him in his bedroom holding a gun to his head. But he did come back and play for the Yankees and three other teams. After retiring, his substance abuse and problems with the law got even worse.

greatest performances at the Olympic Games
Mandatory Credit: Baltimore Sun

8. Michael Phelps

The most successful Olympian of all-time, even Phelps has had to deal with the fallout from drug use. We’re not saying he’s an addict at all because he just likes to smoke a little weed now and then. However, you might want to tell Kelloggs that this isn’t the worst thing in the world because they seem to think it’s the same as heroin.

Michael Phelps Medals
Mandatory Credit: Sports Illustrated

In 2009, the 23-time Olympic gold medalist lost a massive endorsement deal with the cereal brand. A photo of him smoking marijuana in a bong went viral on the internet. However, Kelloggs didn’t play it cool at all and decided to cut ties with the greatest swimmer of all-time.

Mandatory Credit: Bleacher Report

7. Andre Agassi

Towards the end of the ’90s, Agassi became one of the best tennis players in the world. Up until he won the French Open in 1999, his career stunk. Fans disliked him and he always melted under pressure. However, he managed to turn his reputation around and became respected.

Mandatory Credit: Bleacher Report

But after he retired a coverup emerged. Agassi revealed that he had taken crystal meth in 1997 and lied to the Association of Tennis Professionals. Rather than risk scandal, the ATP just accepted his blatant lie and moved on. Failing the drug test would have seen him banned for two years. In short, lies saved his career.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

6. Derek Boogaard

Boogaard’s story is a tragic one. A former Minnesota Wild and New York Rangers star, he was one of the most intimidating players in NHL history. But the ‘Boogeyman’ also had his own cross to bear in the form of substance abuse. During his time with the Wild, he developed an oxycontin addiction that saw him in and out of rehab.

Mandatory Credit: Sportscast

Finally, it cost him his life. In May 2011 he died after partying all night while recovering from a concussion. He mixed alcohol and oxycodone. Rigor Mortis had already set in when his brother found him. It prompted an investigation into how the NHL handled concussion cases.

Mandatory Credit: Sports Illustrated

5. Darryl Strawberry

Strawberry was a phenomenal player on his day. It’s too bad that substance abuse overshadowed his career. The league suspended him three times for cocaine us,e which was all too frequent back in the day. The worst moment came when he solicited a prostitute for sex in 1999.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

However, the ‘hooker’ was actually an undercover police officer. Even worse, he had a small quantity of cocaine on his person. Strawberry has been in and out of jail and rehab for much of his later years. Sex addiction and colon cancer are two of the other major difficulties in his life.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

4. Dock Ellis

Ellis did something quite remarkable back in the day. The Pirates pitcher threw a no-hitter, despite being high as a kite on acid. You can’t help but admire how he managed to achieve this. It was the first and only no-hitter of his career. This came after a night of drinking and doing drugs with a friend in Los Angeles.

Mandatory Credit: Sports Illustrated

In sum, Ellis forgot what day it was. He managed to make it to the park 90 minutes before the first pitch but was still off his face. He started hallucinating, believing that the umpire was Richard Nixon. Once he even thought he was pitching to Jimi Hendrix swinging his guitar. A crazy story.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

3. Nick Diaz

It might be excessive to say that Diaz suffers from substance abuse but it’s definitely true that the consequences of his weed habit have cost him. The elder of the Diaz brothers is a cult hero to UFC fans but hasn’t fought since 2015. The main reason for that is that the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) banned him after testing positive for marijuana.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

This came about after he lost to Anderson Silva. Incredibly, the Brazilian also tested positive for PEDs. But Diaz was the one who truly suffered as the NAC banned him for five years. It was a ridiculous and disproportionate sentence. Even though they lowered the punishment, he hasn’t fought since. A shame.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

2. Diego Maradona

Maradona loved to party. The Argentinian soccer legend is a World Cup winner and considered one of the best ever. However, there’s little doubt that he was his own worst enemy. He’s well known for his substance abuse over the years. To sum up, it got so bad that it nearly cost him his life on multiple abuse.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

His cocaine addiction lasted over 20 years. FIFA booted him out of the 1994 World Cup after he failed a drug test. Meanwhile, his club career would end in a similarly miserable fashion. Maradona’s colorful life saw police arrest him multiple times and suffer heart attacks. Cocaine was been kind to him.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports.

1. Josh Hamilton

This MLB star’s life has been a constant up and down. Despite his amazing talent, he’s been dogged by struggles with all kinds of substance abuse. Hamilton was a five-time All-Star and was immensely popular during his playing days. But the unfortunate truth is that being an addict is for life and he can’t shake it.

Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Recoveries and relapses have occurred at various points in his life. In 2015, authorities arrested him for assaulting his eldest daughter. Hamilton’s struggle to stay clean has seen him suspended several times. Furthermore, he earned a reputation for frequenting seedy bars, strip clubs, and crackhouses during his worst days.

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