Tiger Woods can't beat addiction without owning it | Opinion

There's a stretch of the road leading to Jupiter Island, the Florida oceanfront town where Tiger Woods lives, that's lined on either side by banyan trees. The branches of these gnarly-looking trees hang over the roadway to create a sort of tunnel – almost like a wormhole into another dimension.

That's fitting because venturing onto Jupiter Island feels like a trip into a different world.

Woods, whose legal troubles include a May 12 hearing over a pending DUI charge, lives in an idyllic place that's secluded from the reality most of us know.

Its houses are shielded, partially or completely, from public roads by walls and lush tropical landscaping. The homes come in a variety of architectural styles, but all ooze wealth and privilege.

Small white placards mark the street numbers, sometimes including the names of either the property owners or their estates. There's a golf course, naturally, as well as tennis courts and other amenities.

There isn't much commercial development on Jupiter Island. The people who live there can afford to have groceries and other supplies delivered from outside the community.

While past residents have included singer Celine Dion and other celebrities, many of the island's inhabitants have quietly amassed their fortunes outside the public eye.

In this regard, Woods stands apart from his more below-the-radar neighbors.

Even in elite company, Tiger Woods stands apart

His golf skills landed him an appearance on "The Mike Douglas Show" at age 2. In the 48 years since then, Woods has accomplished just about everything a golfer could accomplish.

He's a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and has won each of the four major professional championships at least three times.

Sadly, though, over the last couple of decades, his personal problems have kept him in the news, too.

In 2009, he was fined for careless driving after crashing his car into a tree and a fire hydrant. In 2017, he was fined and sentenced to community service after pleading guilty to a reckless driving charge.

In 2021, he was seriously injured, but not charged, following a rollover crash near Los Angeles.

Now he's charged with DUI and failing to submit to a blood or urine test following another rollover crash in March near his Jupiter Island home.

The wreck occurred on Beach Road, a narrow two-lane thoroughfare with a 30 mph speed limit. It's often traveled by bicyclists and golf cart riders. Landscaping trucks frequently park in the traffic lanes.

It's hard to imagine anywhere along that road where it would be remotely safe to drive fast enough to roll a vehicle onto its side.

More than just a PR problem to manage

Since we live in a coarse society where some people delight in seeing the rich and famous knocked off their pedestals, the jokes about Woods have been plentiful. (Sample: "What's the difference between a car and a golf ball?" "Tiger can drive a golf ball.")

No question, Woods has become a polarizing figure at this point in his life. In addition to his erratic driving record, he's been dogged by reports of infidelity and womanizing.

To add a political element to his latest arrest, Woods reportedly told officers who responded to the crash he had been on the phone with President Donald Trump.

If convicted, Woods could face up to one year for the DUI charge, plus 60 days for the test refusal charge. He could be fined up to $1,000 and $500, respectively, on those charges.

Whatever else happens in this case, Woods seemingly needs to acknowledge and seek long-term treatment for addiction to prescription painkillers.

Arresting officers said he had pain pills in his possession at the time of his latest crash. He wasn't found to have alcohol in his system, yet his apparent signs of impairment and his refusal to submit to testing that could detect the presence of other drugs strongly suggest he may have a pill problem.

To that point, prosecutors will be seeking records of his medical prescriptions at the May 12 hearing.

If prescription pain medication is the issue, it's in everyone's best interest – especially his – for Woods not to dance around the problem like he's sizing up a putt.

He needs to confront his addiction head-on. He can't overcome his demons without owning them.

And because of who he is and the situation he's facing, he needs to do so publicly.

If Woods is expecting any leniency because of his celebrity or his political connections, he's likely to be disappointed. As a Martin County resident myself, I feel confident in saying that's not the way our local law enforcement operates.

Woods should use his experiences to help others

Following his arrest, Woods issued a generic-sounding statement saying he would be seeking help for unspecified health issues. He was granted permission to leave the country for treatment.

If he tries to convince the presiding judge he's "cured," it's going to be met with a lot of skepticism in the public arena, if not in court.

Woods probably needs a treatment plan that's long-lasting and court-approved. If he is found guilty of the charges he's facing, it also feels like community service should be a significant component of any sentence he receives.

Not so he can don an orange vest and pick up trash on the side of a highway. With his millions of fans worldwide, imagine how much good he might do speaking honestly and earnestly about the dangers of prescription drug abuse to schools and other groups.

Woods lives a lifestyle far different from the "average" American, but he's still human. That means he's susceptible to some of the same dangers many of us face in our everyday lives.

Realizing and owning up to that vulnerability could be key to Woods getting his life back on track.

Blake Fontenay is USA TODAY's commentary editor.