Huke’s journey through Adderall addiction and esports redemption in Call of Duty League
From Championship High to Personal Low
Call of Duty League phenom Huke has publicly shared his battle with prescription stimulant dependency and how false narratives impacted his tenure with Dallas Empire and LA Thieves.
World Champion Cuyler ‘Huke’ Garland disclosed his Adderall usage during his competitive prime and the subsequent challenges he faced while achieving sobriety with Empire and Thieves.
The now 22-year-old pro began using Adderall at approximately 18, during his rapid ascent as one of Call of Duty’s most formidable new competitors. Many young esports athletes turn to cognitive enhancers to manage the intense pressure of professional gaming.
Adderall, a combination of amphetamine salts, functions as a CNS stimulant that enhances focus and alertness. Huke initially used it to cope with CDL stresses but soon recognized its detrimental emotional effects. “Winning Champs left me feeling hollow,” he confessed. “While grateful for the victory, I experienced days of emotional flatness directly tied to my Adderall use.”
“My championship win brought emptiness instead of joy.”
Huke discusses his Adderall use during his CoD championship and its mental health impacts. pic.twitter.com/pwqE7jCb2j
— Dexerto Esports (@DexertoEsports) June 9, 2021
The Road to Recovery and Professional Setbacks
Entering the 2021 season, Huke committed to replacing pharmaceuticals with holistic approaches: mindfulness practice, nutritional optimization, and cold exposure therapy. These methods helped stabilize his mood and cognitive function without chemical assistance.
His improved performance in early CDL matches while sober surprised his Dallas Empire teammates. However, his transformed demeanor—marked by increased positivity and emotional openness—sparked unfounded speculation. “Teammates interpreted my healthy changes negatively,” Huke recalled. “Their skepticism made me doubt my own progress.”
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The situation deteriorated when Huke learned through his brother—not his team—about his benching. “The lack of direct communication destroyed my trust,” he said. After joining LA Thieves, similar rumors about psychedelic use emerged despite his clean lifestyle. Fellow players’ “crazy Cuyler” comments exemplified the toxic culture Huke now critiques.
“Team management never addressed my mental health struggles directly.”
Huke details his benching experience with Dallas Empire. pic.twitter.com/jcuoc39Tmx
— DEXERTO Call of Duty Esports News (@DexertoIntel) June 9, 2021
Esports Mental Health Resources
Huke’s story highlights three critical issues in competitive gaming:
- Substance misuse prevention: Organizations need clear policies and education about cognitive enhancers
- Mental health protocols: Teams require structured support systems for players in crisis
- Culture reform: The community must address toxic rumor-spreading that damages careers
Since returning to LA Thieves’ active roster, Huke advocates for systemic changes. “We’ve lost perspective on what professional gaming should be,” he asserts. His experience underscores the need for better player protection measures across esports organizations.
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