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Jason George Says Mental-Health Struggles Drove Drug Use in First Interview Since Doping Ban

He now characterizes the ban as a turning point that likely prevented an overdose.

Overview

  • In his first public account, the 24-year-old told Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung that he used drugs to numb emotional pain rather than to boost performance.
  • George said his substance use began about four years ago during his time at Bayern Munich after an incident with his coach, and he decided to leave the club.
  • He recounted starting with marijuana and later using cocaine, while insisting he never knowingly took crystal meth despite a positive test.
  • According to reporting, anti-doping authorities later sanctioned him for MDMA and methamphetamine use with a two-year, four-month suspension.
  • Having served the ban, George is under contract with the Würzburg Baskets and says the positive test ultimately helped him escape a downward spiral.