Hamilton An MVP To Recovering Addicts

FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - Texas Rangers outfielder and new AL MVP Josh Hamilton is a man on the go, and so is his message.

"All I was thinking about is alcohol and drugs. I got suspended from baseball. Those three years of my life were very difficult" Hamilton recently told a group of kids at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

When Hamilton took the field before the kids, it wasn't to talk about home run heroics.  Instead, the MVP shared his battle with drugs and alcohol.

Hamilton's message has had an impact on adults too.  Trevor is also a recovering alcoholic, and also knows a thing or two about addiction.

"I wasn't in control of myself.  Alcohol was in control of me."

Trevor (whose last name is being withheld for confidentially reasons) has been living alcohol free at Cenikor Treatment Center in Fort Worth for almost a year.

"To an extent, I felt I was above being an alcoholic."

Trevor lost his wife and his job to alcohol, but he didn't lose his love for baseball. The 35-year-old has been a life-long Rangers fan. The team has been a source of inspiration this year and perhaps no one was more inspiring than Josh Hamilton.

"I had the opportunity to watch a phenomenal baseball player, but most importantly, somebody who is a true role model for those of us seeking what he has and that's recovery."

Something else the two share in common is success. Trevor found his as an attorney. Josh Hamilton found his in the major leagues. Both will tell you that addiction does not discriminate on the road to recovery, whether rich or poor.

"When I look at Josh Hamilton, I think that I had a time in my life when I had some successes and had some setbacks like individuals do. It's the classic example that if he can do it, so can I."

Trevor, who is starting his second year of rehab, admires Hamilton's willingness to share his struggle with others, and he's thankful to have a role model who shares a common bond.

"As a man in recovery, I'm even more impressed and inspired by the story he brings from his personal life. He may bat .358 on the field, but he bats a thousand in recovery."