Denial of His Drug Problem Blamed for Manley’s Relapse

Suspended Washington Redskins defensive end Dexter Manley may have suffered a substance abuse relapse because of his unwillingness to either admit or discuss his problems, a published report said today.

The Washington Post quoted Manley’s former drug counselor, Robert Shelton, who works with the Springwood at Reston outpatient rehabilitation facility in northern Virginia, as saying the former Pro Bowl defensive end was not willing to discuss his cocaine use in group sessions and his attendance was sporadic.

The counselor said that he thought Manley’s status as a sports celebrity was the cause of his erratic attendance and that he was afraid the subjects discussed would later be leaked to the media.

“I never felt he was comfortable, where he could be himself,” Shelton said of the group sessions. “Everyone came up to him. He was a celebrity; he couldn’t be anonymous.”

Sources told the Washington Times on Monday that part of Manley’s drug problem was his denial of having used cocaine. Manley never admitted using the drug.