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Originally Posted by businessdude
I guess 5 drugs in your system is not outrageous if you have serious pain and sleep issues.
Does this guy have any privacy rights as far as medical history being released to the public?
It certain seems all is fair game in the "innocent until proven guilty". I imagine there is a public reason like ensuring that one doesn't receive preferential treatment. Perhaps it is also done to protect the police officers from any claims of bad actions, like beating a suspect.
One of the drugs he was taking is pretty close to synthetic heroin. Far worse to drive on that than alcohol. Still, our society groups drunk-driving as bad and medical driving as a lesser crime, regardless of the impact on safety.
I think he is in serious pain and wasn't taking them for recreational purposes. Four back surgeries in three years for someone trying to return to the top of professional sports in a short-time frame is unprecedented. If there is any good from this, it will be from him being a little more honest about his schedule and not pulling out right before a tournament. He put so much pressure on himself with the back to back American/Dubai/American playing schedule that he just couldn't bring himself to cancel.
I also don't think we will keep hearing what a success every back surgery is for him. I think that gives the wrong impression to the public. Back surgery is highly controversial with shockingly high poor outcomes, especially long-term. And it obviously didn't make the pain go away from him. At least a doctor believes so because he was prescribed that medication.
If he even plays a serious professional round again, that would be a win. I just don't know if he can put in the hours to practice to become competitive again without further damage to his body. I can't imagine a doctor (who isn't paid by Tiger) saying that it is a good idea to take a tool and smash it aggressively into the earth over and over.