Families in Recovery Series Looks at How Amateur, Elite Athletes Can Struggle with Substance Use, Mental Health

How does the trajectory of an elite or even an amateur athletes playing career leave them vulnerable to substance use and mental health issues? That is the focus of the latest episode of the “Families in Recovery” video series from SVG and the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.

The episode features  Carrie Bates, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, an HBF alumni, and current HBF senior outreach manager. She discusses her own challenges and eventual success with Jerry Moe, who worked for HBF as Executive Director of the National Children’s Program for 23 years. Moe is also an advisor for Sesame Street where he helps shape the show’s discussions around addiction and mental health.

Moe and Bates discuss how a parent’s substance impacts the children in a household as well as the benefits of getting children involved with the free services that are available to children via Hazelden Betty Ford.