Players who were alcoholics...

[Normand Lacombe]

Chris Simon had alcohol issues during his junior days.

Claude Lapoint entered rehab late in his career, though I do not know if was alcohol related.

 

[McGarnagle]

Not to defend the older guys, but to give greater context to their struggles

They had bad equipment, the game was a lot rougher, sports medicine as a field did not exist, no arthroscopic surgery, barely any of the training center amenities they have today, coaches/owners pushing them hard with a culture of "rub some dirt on it and man up", and lower salaries. It's completely believable and understandable that some of them hit the bottle medicinally, they must've lived with constant aches and pains throughout the season, and alcohol could dull it for a while.

Then once they make a habit of that, it can take a hold of guys.

We're seeing similar things happen today with this generation and pain pills.

 

[Killion]

.... We're seeing similar things happen today with this generation and pain pills.

Another big problem amongst the AAA &B Jr. ranks is believe it or not.... chewing tobacco.