CC Sabathia Details His Alcoholism, Says A Hotel Mini-Bar Bender Prompted His Trip To Rehab

New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia shocked the sports world when he abruptly left the team on the eve of the playoffs to enter rehab for alcoholism, and he’s only recently exited inpatient treatment for his disease. Now he says he’s ready to move on, but first he went on Good Morning America to clear the air with Robin Roberts.

Contrary to reports that he was drunk in the clubhouse during the day, Sabathia said that what prompted him to go to rehab was a hotel room mini-bar bender, in which he was isolated and drunk. That Sunday, Sabathia says he “just woke up and felt like I needed help.”

Roberts did push him on the timing of his announcement and seeking of treatment, but Sabathia responded, “It’s a disease, and if it was my knee or anything else, then people wouldn’t have a problem with it.” And he’s right. It’s easy to sit back and say, “Well, he could have waited even a week or two,” but if you feel unsafe with yourself, seeking help is the only option. It’s great to see that he’s made progress and isn’t hiding from the pressure of publicly acknowledging his disease. Here’s hoping he continues to have a successful recovery.

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