As Josh Gordon returns to Browns fold, will he be able to stay sober this time?
With Josh Gordon seemingly on track to play for the Cleveland Browns this season, is it only a matter of time before the talented but troubled wide receiver is derailed again by drug addiction?
Drew Pinsky, the celebrity doctor and addiction medicine specialist widely known as Dr. Drew, is among those who has taken an interest in the matter.
“It’s tough, man,’’ Pinsky told Paste BN Sports. “These are chronic illnesses. They’re hard to manage. And then the really hard part is getting (people) back to work the way they and the people around them (are used) to.’’
The Browns know that all too well.
Gordon, 27, has been suspended three times for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy since 2013 and has missed most of the past four seasons because of his addiction problem.
“Lo and behold, now you have a sober guy,’’ Pinsky said. “People have grave misconceptions about the idea that you can go to treatment and that you're magically forever good. People struggle for quite a while even with recurrent episodes of treatment before they finally get it.’’
So can Gordon stay clean and sober and flourish like he did during the 2013 season, when he led the NFL in receiving yards and was named first-team All-Pro?
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“It’s possible he can make it through the season and not test positive,’’ Pinsky said. “It’s certainly highly possible if he’s engaged in treatment. …
“I look at the way that NFL’s been treating him and I think it’s quite appropriate. They’ve been giving him time, getting him care. It takes time for this stuff. It’s not like you can take him away and bring him back totally well. It doesn’t work like that.’’
In late July, before training camp opened, Gordon left the Browns and cited a desire to stay on a positive path during his ongoing battle with addiction and after working his way through the NFL's substance-abuse program.
On Saturday, the Browns announced Gordon had returned to the team and is waiting on clearance from the NFL before he can rejoin practices and eventually play.
“No timetable on next steps," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said, and Pinsky gave the league high marks.
“I would call it sort of enlightened, the way they’re approaching it,’’ he said.
Follow Peter on Twitter @joshlpeter11