Detroit Red Wings forward Bob Probert suffers from an attention-deficit disorder, which could be the root of his drinking and drug problems, his attorney said.
”People who have this disorder, because they cannot sit still or focus, have a tendency to self-medicate,” said Probert`s lawyer, Harold Fried.
”What they do is drink or use drugs. . . . I believe that`s what he was doing.”
Fried said Wednesday that Probert was diagnosed as having the disorder in February, after his release from a federal medical correctional center where he served three months on a drug conviction.
Fried said Probert was placed on an anti-convulsion drug, Depakote. He said it does not affect Probert`s performance on the ice.
Fried said he`s asking immigration officials to reopen Probert`s deportation hearing and take the disorder into account.
Probert said he feels better about himself since he began being treated for the disorder.
”When I was a kid, I didn`t know about it at the time, and maybe if I did know, it would have helped with my problem,” he said. ”I`m not looking for an excuse. I`m sure I`m partly responsible, but maybe if I would have found out about this earlier, it wouldn`t have happened.”
