Rookie Delmonico opens up about Adderall addiction

Chicago White Sox rookie Nicky Delmonico has shed some light on his Adderall addiction, two years after being suspended by MLB for 50 games.

"I knew if I was going to get back into baseball, I needed to get myself right," Delmonico said to David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune.

"I dug down deep. Not only did I learn about the medicine and what it was doing to me, but I had to figure out what was going on in my life and get back to being myself."

Delmonico, then a 22-year-old in the Milwaukee Brewers' organization, decided to come off the drug prior to the 2014 season. However, he suffered through withdrawal and mood swings, leading to a relapse.

Though MLB previously approved Delmonico's use of Adderall for medicinal purposes, he neglected to inform the league he was using the drug a second time, which led to the 50-game suspension in July 2014.

"I got home and told my mom, 'I'm done playing,'" Delmonico said. "I just didn't have the love or passion for it. I wasn't in the right frame of mind."

The outfielder was granted his release from the Brewers and decided to enter a 45-day treatment program in 2015. The White Sox came calling shortly after, signing Delmonico while wishing him well in rehab.

After performing exceptionally well in Double-A, Delmonico was promoted to Triple-A this season, where he hit .262/.347/.421 in 99 games, leading to his call-up to the majors.

Since Aug. 1, the 25-year-old has performed admirably for the rebuilding White Sox, hitting .329/.434/.614 with six home runs in his first 20 games, the fastest any White Sox player has reached that total.

"I went through all that at a time it was the best thing for me because I got to learn about myself, more than anything, and got back to what I loved the most," he said.

"I hope my story can inspire a lot of people to never give up on your dreams."