Manziel moving in with Miller

[L.M.]

BREAKING NEWS

ESPN just reported this a minute ago...that Josh Gordon failed his drug test and tested positive for marijuana and something else. Sorry, I could not catch the last few words that the reporter said and there is no link to the story yet.

Here it is:

Suspended Josh Gordon reportedly fails another drug test
7:33 PM ET

Suspended Cleveland Browns receiver Josh Gordon failed a drug test last month, according to multiple reports.

Fox Sports, which first reported the news, cited a source informed of the test results that Gordon's sample was positive for marijuana and dilute. Both Gordon's "A" and "B" samples were positive for marijuana and dilute, Fox Sports reported. According to the report, the level of marijuana in the wide receiver's system was below the 35 nanogram threshold, but the diluted sample is the same as a positive test by the NFL's standards.

Gordon took to Twitter shortly after the reports surfaced and appeared unconcerned.

Flash Gordon✔@JOSH_GORDONXII

Call me if u need a real story worth writing.. ��
4:38 PM - 11 Apr 2016

The news comes on the heels of sources telling ESPN that Gordon is living with former Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel off of Sunset Boulevard. Manziel had told TMZ that he was living with Von Miller. The Denver Broncos linebacker said in an Instagram post Monday that Manziel wasn't living with him, but the quarterback was his "brother" and he has his back.

Manziel, who went to rehab last year, told TMZ he had been out in West Hollywood five to six nights in a row, and said he doesn't think NFL teams have a problem with his partying.

"I don't think there's anything wrong with partying, bro," Manziel said. "There's a difference between partying and being out of control."

Gordon, who has been suspended since last February, applied to the league for reinstatement earlier this year, formally asking commissioner Roger Goodell to allow him back.

Though it was widely noted that the NFL would have 60 days to make a decision on Gordon's reinstatement, an NFL spokesman clarified the timeline to ESPN's Field Yates last month, saying: "There is no requirement that a reinstatement decision be made in 60 days. We endeavor to develop the necessary information to make a decision in that time frame, but the actual decisions are made when appropriate."

Gordon, who was suspended for multiple violations of the league's substance abuse policy, failed an alcohol test last year, wiping out the talented receiver's 2015 season.

At the NFL's owners meetings last month, Browns coach Hue Jackson and director of football operations Sashi Brown said the team needed to have a conversation with Gordon if he was reinstated to determine his frame of mind before deciding whether he would be back with the Browns.

Gordon, 24, made the Pro Bowl in 2013 when he led the league with 1,646 yards receiving despite playing just 14 games. Gordon also had nine touchdowns that season.

However, he hasn't been able to stay out of trouble.

After Gordon pleaded guilty to driving while impaired on July 5, 2014, in Raleigh, North Carolina, he was required to submit to alcohol testing under the third stage of the league's mandated program. Gordon said he drank on a flight to Las Vegas a few days after the 2014 season ended and failed a subsequent test. Gordon had assumed any restrictions ended after the season, but he didn't clarify that with the league.

Gordon was initially suspended for the 2014 season after testing positive for marijuana. His penalty was later reduced to 10 games after the league and NFLPA changed their substance abuse policies. Gordon had to sit out two games in 2013 for a failed drug test, which he blamed on taking prescription cough medicine.

Information from ESPN's Pat McManamon and The Associated Press was used in this report.
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http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/15185642/suspended-josh-gordon-cleveland-browns-fails-drug-test

[TH3JUICEMAN]

No, this is not how you treat someone who is at this stage of the problem. You don't move them into your home. And Von would be a de facto treatment provider by doing that for which he is unqualified. Friendship and support can be extended to him while he's in rehab and that would be a good thing.

You're right, if they're not ready you just let them get deeper until they're either incarcerated or dead /s.

Fwiw, I'm an counselor specializing in addiction treatment as well as in long term recovery myself. If those who cared about me let me continue down that path without showing me love and care, I have no doubt I'd be dead. My story is no different than millions of others in long term recovery.

Again, unfortunately we've come to a place where if you have addiction issues, we cut ties until you're healthy. I'm sure you wouldn't do that to a person with depression, bipolar, diabetes, etc.

Maybe that's one reason addiction is such a pervasive and difficult illness to treat. We treat those with it different then any other disease in the world.

[broncoslover115]

You're right, if they're not ready you just let them get deeper until they're either incarcerated or dead /s.

Fwiw, I'm an counselor specializing in addiction treatment as well as in long term recovery myself. If those who cared about me let me continue down that path without showing me love and care, I have no doubt I'd be dead. My story is no different than millions of others in long term recovery.

Again, unfortunately we've come to a place where if you have addiction issues, we cut ties until you're healthy. I'm sure you wouldn't do that to a person with depression, bipolar, diabetes, etc.

Maybe that's one reason addiction is such a pervasive and difficult illness to treat. We treat those with it different then any other disease in the world.

I'm a little confused by your post. First off, congratulations on remaining clean and sober for all the years you have. It is no easy feat and I commend you for the work you have put in to remain as such.

So, what I'm confused about is this. I'm not hearing anyone saying that the best thing is to cut ties with anyone at all. Actually, I haven't read one post that suggested that at all. I also haven't read one post saying that you stop loving the person or that you stop caring about the person.

What I have read is that it is not a good idea to have an active, raging, spiraling out of control alcoholic (Johnny Manziel) living with another spiraling out of control drug addict (Josh Gordon).

There are many other ways to support an addict without cutting ties and without living with them. You can take them to meetings, you can take them to therapy appointments. You can attempt to hook them up with a sponsor. You can talk to them. You can tell them that you are there for them.

Not bringing an active raging, spiraling out of control addict into your home does not equate to cutting ties with someone.

[TH3JUICEMAN]

Two active individuals struggling with addiction living together = bad

Von, while having his own issues in the PAST, possibly opening his door to JM to offer support = good for him.

Modeling behavior can be a powerful tool for change. If Johnny isn't ready for treatment, meetings, etc, maybe being around a positive influence could help push him into contemplation (stages of change) and eventually engaging in treatment.

[Chronoless]

Two active individuals struggling with addiction living together = bad

Von, while having his own issues in the PAST, possibly opening his door to JM to offer support = good for him.

Modeling behavior can be a powerful tool for change. If Johnny isn't ready for treatment, meetings, etc, maybe being around a positive influence could help push him into contemplation (stages of change) and eventually engaging in treatment.

Or it could be the other way around, and Miller starts smoking weed again and partying with JM and missing meeting. Because you know...... to be able to help someone, they must be willing to be helped, that is why there are alot of Drug addicts that never recover.

I'm okay with Von showing support for JM, but I don't wanna see him hanging out with JM every day or during the Regular season at a Bar. JM almost cost VM some money if he really was living with Miller. Because I doubt Elway would feel good knowing the Player he is about to hand the franchise too is living with the screw up, who can't stop screwing up, when VM has worked so hard to get out of the program.

JG's fate might be VM's fate, if things go wrong

[BroncoNTemecula]

You're right, if they're not ready you just let them get deeper until they're either incarcerated or dead /s.

Fwiw, I'm an counselor specializing in addiction treatment as well as in long term recovery myself. If those who cared about me let me continue down that path without showing me love and care, I have no doubt I'd be dead. My story is no different than millions of others in long term recovery.

Again, unfortunately we've come to a place where if you have addiction issues, we cut ties until you're healthy. I'm sure you wouldn't do that to a person with depression, bipolar, diabetes, etc.

Maybe that's one reason addiction is such a pervasive and difficult illness to treat. We treat those with it different then any other disease in the world.

Having lived through this recently, this statement hit a nerve. Addicts are terrible abusers and often severely impact life long friends and family lives forever. The natural reaction to being abused is to flee the abuse. I not sure addicts deserve much sympathy

[Rastic]

Having lived through this recently, this statement hit a nerve. Addicts are terrible abusers and often severely impact life long friends and family lives forever. The natural reaction to being abused is to flee the abuse. I not sure addicts deserve much sympathy

Oh, I would disagree. Addicts do deserve some sympathy but that should not be confused for being tough and refusing to be manipulated.

Sympathy does not equal weakness but it can lead to that if one does not understand or underestimates what they are dealing with.

[broncoslover115]

Having lived through this recently, this statement hit a nerve. Addicts are terrible abusers and often severely impact life long friends and family lives forever. The natural reaction to being abused is to flee the abuse. I not sure addicts deserve much sympathy

Sounds like you've had a rough go of it lately. I hope you're doing OK and that things have settled down for you.

I completely agree with your statement in terms of the impact of addiction on everyone around them. That is why they call it a family disease. If a person is unwilling to seek the help they need, it is very tough to want to continue to offer support. There's always that fine line between offering support and being an enabler.

Addiction and alcoholism is a very complex disease that creates a compulsive desire to continue using regardless of the consequences. I can completely understand your desire to flee if the person is not interested in getting sober.

Oh, I would disagree. Addicts do deserve some sympathy but that should not be confused for being tough and refusing to be manipulated.

Sympathy does not equal weakness but it can lead to that if one does not understand or underestimates what they are dealing with.

I come from the viewpoint that alcoholism is a disease and that the person isn't using because they are morally bankrupt. I believe that It is often mistakenly assumed that drug abusers and alcoholics lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop using drugs or stop drinking simply by choosing to change their behavior. In reality, addiction is a complex disease, and quitting takes more than good intentions or a strong will. In fact, because drugs and alcohol change the brain in ways that foster compulsive drug abuse, quitting is difficult, even for those who are ready to do so. It's chronic and causes compulsive use, despite the many harmful consequences.

Therefore having sympathy, or empathy is the word I would use, is warranted just like we would with someone who has cancer or any other disease that one is fighting with.

[FR Tim]

I can appreciate the compassion for supporting and wanting to help an addict. But the reality is not easy or fair. Until the addict makes the decision (sometimes repeatedly) to change there is likely not going to be change.

Goes to the saying "the counselor can not be working harder then the patient"

From Manziel's own words he is not working very hard or willing to change. Miller and Manziel's family can want him to change all they want but until he starts taking steps it is a a waste to expect any positive results.

Manziel standing outside a club intoxicated and telling the camera "I'm not drunk, I'm just chillin here 5 or 6 nights this week" does not speak to someone trying to change his life. Especially considering he has considerable legal, career and financial elements at stake. He apparently is still not getting it.

Sadly, Manziel is not ready for change and Miller has a career and personal issues at stake too. He can be supportive and a good friend but at all costs needs to stay out of the whirlwind that is the destructive force of an addict.

I too have been on both sides of this issue. There came a time when I literally had to walk away from friends I knew since grade school. Over 25 years of friendships was abandoned because I could not be around their behavior and lifestyle. I had to change, they didn't see a problem. A couple still don't 20 years later. It's sad.

Miller can be supportive but I hope from a distance. All it takes is for him to be in the vicinity when Manziel has his next incident. Even the peace keepers tend to get caught in compromising situations. Miller is the face of a franchise now. He needs to be a professional even off the clock. Miller needs to decide does he emulate Manning or Manzeil. What does he want his legacy to be.

[broncoslover115]

I can appreciate the compassion for supporting and wanting to help an addict. But the reality is not easy or fair. Until the addict makes the decision (sometimes repeatedly) to change there is likely not going to be change.

Goes to the saying "the counselor can not be working harder then the patient"

From Manziel's own words he is not working very hard or willing to change. Miller and Manziel's family can want him to change all they want but until he starts taking steps it is a a waste to expect any positive results.

Manziel standing outside a club intoxicated and telling the camera "I'm not drunk, I'm just chillin here 5 or 6 nights this week" does not speak to someone trying to change his life. Especially considering he has considerable legal, career and financial elements at stake. He apparently is still not getting it.

Sadly, Manziel is not ready for change and Miller has a career and personal issues at stake too. He can be supportive and a good friend but at all costs needs to stay out of the whirlwind that is the destructive force of an addict.

I too have been on both sides of this issue. There came a time when I literally had to walk away from friends I knew since grade school. Over 25 years of friendships was abandoned because I could not be around their behavior and lifestyle. I had to change, they didn't see a problem. A couple still don't 20 years later. It's sad.

Miller can be supportive but I hope from a distance. All it takes is for him to be in the vicinity when Manziel has his next incident. Even the peace keepers tend to get caught in compromising situations. Miller is the face of a franchise now. He needs to be a professional even off the clock. Miller needs to decide does he emulate Manning or Manzeil. What does he want his legacy to be.

Completely spot on FR Tim. First, I'm sure it was difficult to walk away from your friends after such a long time. That is not an easy thing to do. But a necessary step nonetheless.

The one element you brought up which I don't believe has been mentioned, is that Von is now the face of the Broncos and he needs to be careful who he associates with.

Like you said, if hes around JM if he gets into trouble again, that would not bode well for Von or the Broncos; even if he has nothing to do with whatever JM gets into trouble for.

[one_bad_55]

When I was dealing with my addiction at about the same age as JM I had to abandon some friendships that enabled/pressured me to drink while I was trying to quit. I think for me removing myself from those situations allowed me to get a grip on what I was dealing with and realize that I could function without drinking. I realized that drinking NEVER FIXED anything for me and actually made things worse so the sooner I could give it up the better I would be.

Once I was comfortable with not drinking then I could be around alcohol without wanting it. I do not care if people drink around me I just know that it is not for me.

JM is not ready but still needs support to get him to realize he has a problem that is changing his life for the worse. When he comes to grips that he has a problem he will probably find that some of his friendships are making his problems worse. Hanging out with JG is not a great idea for two people struggling with addiction.

[xX-Bronco-Xx]

I mean judging from the TMZ interview where he said he was living with Von, he was clearly high on something..

[TheAsianPA]

How is Manziel living with Von if Von is living in houses set up for Dancing with the Stars?

[samparnell]

How is Manziel living with Von if Von is living in houses set up for Dancing with the Stars?

I don't think he is.

[ebsoria]

Von Miller has said Johhhny isn't staying with him. Johnny isn't a Bronco. Getting too political. Thread closed and done and moved.