Overcomes his Biggest Challenge…

Outside The Ring: Shane Douglas Overcomes His Biggest Challenge Outside The Ring

May 3rd, 2006

Link:   TNA Wrestling News OUTSIDE THE RING: SHANE DOUGLAS OVERCOMES HIS BIGGEST CHALLENGE Shane Douglas’ stardom surpassed the woes that he endured away from the pro wrestling spotlight. Douglas was addicted to pain killers. He was prescribed Oxycontin to ease the pain of countless bumps, bruises and broken bones from a 24-year in-ring career. Doctors told him five years ago to take Oxycontin twice a day, but he eventually built a tolerance for – brace yourself – as many as 50 pills per day, at times taking 15 pills at once. “I was taking doses that probably should have killed me; that’s when I realized I could either continue down the path until something horrible happened, or make a stand. That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” Douglas said. In the first interview about his drug addiction, Shane Douglas spoke exclusively with Ross Forman about his self-admitted stint in an outpatient rehabilitation center and the “pure hell” he has endured over the past five months. He spoke candidly and openly. He offered advice for others – fellow wrestlers and fans – who might be in a similar situation. By Ross Forman When his second son was born last Dec. 6, Shane Douglas knew he had to be around them. He didn’t want to be another wrestling statistic: a performer who passed away early, like so many others, due to a drug addition. “I would have hated for them to grow up with the stigma that their father died from an unintentional drug overdose,” he said. So Douglas called rehabilitation centers and surfed the Internet for help. He ultimately contacted about 40 places before finding the help that he oh-so-desperately needed, and wanted. “I knew I eventually was going to reach a point of no return, and the pills would have killed me,” Douglas said. Douglas started seeing a pain doctor in Pittsburgh abut five years ago, and was prescribed Oxycontin. “It was miraculous,” Douglas said. “I’d take one pill and would all of a sudden feel like I was 20 years-old again. No pain. The joints felt great again. I was able to lift heavy (weights) again in the gym. I was wrestling with no problems.” Problem was, Douglas never was informed that Oxycontin was highly addictive, and, Douglas had the mentality that the pills must be safe since they were prescribed by a doctor. Less than a year after he started taking them, Douglas tried to stop, but couldn’t; he was hooked. Finally, this past January, Douglas realized it was time to stop playing the drug-addiction game and get serious with his life. And not just for himself – but for my wife, his sons and for the fans. Douglas left TNA in January – with the full blessing of TNA management, including company president Dixie Carter. He admitted himself to an outpatient rehabilitation center, checking his pride at the center’s front-door. “Being in such a high-profile position, there never was an opportune time to take several months to get myself off the drug,” he said. “Even though I had ongoing pain issues, I knew the necessity to take Oxycontin like I was doing was not there anymore since I was not wrestling full-time anymore.” TNA officials told Douglas to take off as much time as needed and, most important, that his job was not in jeopardy, that they were behind him 100 percent and his job would be there for him whenever he was ready to return. “TNA offered support on every level,” Douglas added. Douglas said the first four weeks of 2006, his withdrawal period, were “absolute hell.” He was vomiting almost every 10-to-15 minutes for weeks at the start. He had constant diarrhea, dehydration and “the worst flu you’ve ever had multiplied by 50.” Douglas ached from head to toe. He was nauseous and had absolutely no energy. “Just walking from the couch to the bathroom was a major chore, on par with climbing Mt. Everest,” he said. “The thing that kept driving me was my family and my fans.” Douglas has not had an Oxycontin pill since last Dec. 22 – and he has no plans to, even though, he admits, “my body still aches on a daily basis, and always will. But mentally, I feel tremendous. I know I don’t have to take pills to make it through the day.” Douglas has had stints in all four major American promotions: WWE, WCW, ECW and TNA. He has endured six surgeries on his right elbow, two on his left elbow, three shoulder surgeries and multiple broken bones. “I can’t tell you how many times I’d wake up in the middle of the night with tears in my eyes, heartbroken because I knew I was addicted. I was ashamed,” he said. “It was difficult to find help; I know that first-hand. But you need to find help. “I just want to help others who may be in that same situation. And I really mean it. Don’t feel hopeless, because I did. Also, don’t feel ashamed that you have to hide it; we all have our faults and weaknesses.” Douglas added: “Life after addiction is so much more fulfilling, so much more rewarding than the greatest high you’ve ever had from your addiction.” Douglas said he next plans to quit using chewing tobacco. “I was given the chance by TNA to keep this a personal matter, or, if I chose, to discuss it publicly,” Douglas said. “I always have been so open with the fans about my perspective about the business, so, I did not want to hide this and let people think that I was ashamed of it. “I want everyone in the locker room to know that TNA’s support is one of the reasons I am at where I am today. Don’t hide it if you have an addiction; don’t be ashamed. Come forward and get help; the company will support you.”

Order Unbreakable 2005 today at ShopTNA.com!

Tags: