Reports: Josh Gordon Checked into Rehab After DUI

While we understand that Josh Gordon will have his appeal hearing next Friday, August 1st with the NFL, it seems he may have made steps to attempt to help himself. Mike Garafolo, who works for Fox Sports 1, reported that Gordon checked himself into rehab following his DUI:

Said on @AmericasPregame Josh Gordon checked himself into rehab following his DUI arrest. Still expected to report to camp tomorrow.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 24, 2014

Adam Schefter followed up with some details regarding Gordon’s rehab stay:

Browns WR Josh Gordon entered rehab after arrest in NC, as @mikegarafolo reported. Gordon spent two weeks in rehab in California.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 24, 2014

It is a good sign that Gordon sought help. While many will, and have, argued about marijuana, using a substance that is banned by your employment is a concern. Driving a motor vehicle while impaired, different states have different definitions of impaired, is also a concern.

Gordon checking himself into rehab, and it staying private until now, is a great sign for his understanding of his problem. As a professional counselor that has worked with clients who have had issues with substances the length of stay is interesting. Inpatient (rehab) care is for clients who cannot function successfully in society due to their substance use. General minimum recommended stay for inpatient is at least 21 to 30 days. This is especially true for marijuana, whose half life is around 30 days depending on body composition and a number of other factors. That means THC would still likely be in Gordon’s system when he left rehab.

The next step down from inpatient treatment is Intensive Outpatient Treatment. In Ohio that standard of care requires 10 hours of treatment a week, with a high recommendation for group therapy as most of that treatment. The next step lower is Standard Outpatient Treatment which varies from 1 to 2 hours a week usually.