![]() ![]() They misdiagnosed me with schizophrenic and bipolar," Voss said. And then when I went to jail, they sent me to a mental hospital. "I used so many drugs over the course of four years, I went into a manic state that lasted for about three weeks. I'd see my doctor every month," Voss explained.Īnd that's when he got hooked on prescription pain pills, spiraling out of control, eventually slipping into a drug psychosis. "And so at that point, I was introduced to a pain management doctor and I went through that routine for the next four years. His addiction progressed, becoming physically dependent on pills, even getting dope sick when he tried to quit cold turkey. And I almost overdosed and died," he said. "I've been in a situation where I became careless. So Voss gave up his full ride and dropped out of school. And by the time my freshman year came to an end, I just had this realization, I just don't want to play football anymore or go to school," Voss said. "That weekend affair of using these drugs started spilling into the weekdays. That painful transition was so challenging, he turned to alcohol and drugs to help him cope. Voss was red-shirted that first year and didn't play at all. And at the same time, I started to suffer in silence," Voss explained. And those drugs became my coping mechanism. I was at the highest point of my life, making my lowest decisions. "When I went to USF, I think that's where I started to crumble. ![]() His great skill got him a free ride to play at the University of South Florida, but things did not go as planned. And he was ranked third-best quarterback in Florida and 26th best quarterback in the country. He was a dual-threat, as a quarterback and defensive back. Dad's out of the picture," explained Alton Voss, who was a star at Gulf High School in New Port Richey.Īnd despite growing up in a dysfunctional home, playing football kept him focused. A very broken home, both parents alcoholics. "If you look at like my upbringing, I wasn't supposed to make it. As we head into the holiday season, many people struggle with their mental well-being, and if you're a recovering addict or in the midst of addiction, drugs and alcohol can make the holidays even more challenging.Ī former high school star quarterback, who went on to play in college and was good enough for the NFL, explains how he lost it all because of his addiction, and he explains how he finally found a new path to recovery and the gratefulness he holds onto today. ![]()
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