As I sift through this thread, I'm finding a common problem. It seems that those who know Kurt's past issues have taken sides on this, and those that don't know his history are writing it off as "just a DUI". Certainly, we can eliminate the latter as credible, but let's talk about the former.
The thing that no one is talking about, and I'm specifically pointing this at the Rayne/Shattered Dreams debate is that addiction is not always specific to a certain drug. In fact, drug addiction can often take its form with many kinds of drugs at different times. The thing about addiction is that it is very much a mental disease and one that is treated like any other disease in the world. It's not "oh, he drank last night, he's an alcholic". It's more WHY the person drinks or takes a pill, or smokes something, or shoots something. WHY are these things happening? Let's talk about that.
If Kurt is an addict (and he is - he has talked about that), it means that his mentality is that drugs solve problems for him. When he has an issue in life, he takes a drug. It becomes a way of life and it is a sickness. The thing is, it's not about how many drugs you take a day. Some people don't need as many as others. Still, if you develop a reliance on them and cannot break that reliance, that is addiction.
The other thing we have to remember is that you can't say "well he HAD drug problems and WAS an addict". They tell you in NA or AA that you will ALWAYS be an addict, no matter whether you get the addiction under control. Thus, if Kurt had it under control, he'd still be an addict struggling to stay sober. However, he's nowhere near that. If he was a drug addict, he wouldn't be drinking. One of the most amazing people I know is a an addict, she was addicted to pain pills that she took after getting a disease. One of the things that has to happen when you detox and then join an NA or the like is that you must give up ALL drugs. Sobriety spans through all drugs, alcohol, pills, etc. Thus, if Kurt is a pill addict and wants to recover, he can't drink either! You have to go completely clean and he's not doing that. That's pretty clear as evidenced by this charge and the reasoning behind it.
Kurt has a real problem and he does need help. I said this about Jeff and I'm saying it about Kurt. It's great that people believe in them as performers, but they cannot perform if it endangers their lives. I don't care if you believe this will collapse TNA (it won't), but these are men's lives here. Their lives are more important than wrestling. To be honest, I saw Kurt this past summer and the way he left the field (MCU Park in Brooklyn), I felt bad for him. I was hoping he'd win the title at BFG and retire on top because he simply is pushing his body too far. I can't advocate for the guy wrestling himself into an early grave, and I sincerely hope he finally "gets it".
On the topic of TNA, they do need a wellness policy. It's not their fault directly that this stuff happens, but I will say that it's too lax. At that same MCU show, I was talking to some of the other wrestlers and all they could talk about was getting to New Jersey where their next show was so they could party. They didn't want to hang out too long with fans because they had to make it to the bar in new Jersey. Not for nothing, but that's not a great attitude to have. I have nothing against partying per se, but it's the culture and it's not good. If you can handle that and you aren't popping pain pills all the it might be ok, but if you are Kurt Angle, Jeff Hardy, or another guy who has a legitimate problem, you need structure that won't allow you to fall into this lifestyle. It's like falling in a well, it is very difficult to get out of it.
Both men need to take ACCOUNTABILITY for their actions and realize they have problems. They are addicts and they need help. If this means we won't see them every week, so be it. It's their lives and I'd rather see them save their lives than wrestle a few more times and die. It's harsh, but it could be true. Hell, it has been true for a lot of guys and girls in the business. It's important that these men realize they have problems, as addiction is a tough thing, but it can be beat. You will always be an addict, but you can get it under control. I sincerely hope Angle and Hardy do just that.