Lamar Odom’s addiction issues began at 14 after his mom died, NBA great says as he checks out of 30-day rehab

Lamar Odom’s Addiction Struggles Trace Back to His Teen Years After Mother’s Passing, Says NBA Star

NBA legend Lamar Odom has concluded his 30-day rehabilitation stay in Los Angeles, as reported by the Daily Mail. The 46-year-old New York native entered the program at iRely Recovery following a DUI incident. Police noted his vehicle had a marijuana odor, and he acknowledged using the substance earlier that day. He was arrested for driving over 100 mph.

Odom’s manager, Gina Rodriguez, shared with TMZ that the athlete is aiming to reduce marijuana consumption due to fears it might lead to more severe substance use. During a recent podcast with retired NBA stars Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady, Odom reflected on his journey with drugs.

Early Roots of Addiction

‘When I was 14, I started using marijuana,’ Odom explained in the interview. ‘That was right after my mom passed away.’ His father, a heroin user, added, ‘If you begin with pot and it doesn’t give you the same high anymore, you might think, “maybe I’ll try cocaine.”‘

Odom recalled the emotional toll of his mother’s death at 12. ‘Being in New York City without a mom is tough,’ he said. ‘But my neighborhood kept me grounded. We’ve lived there since 1957, so I feel like no one would let me slip into drug use or violence. Still, you start exploring when you lose that support system.’

Rising as a high school standout in Queens, Odom’s career was nearly derailed by addiction. He admitted, ‘I loved drugs. You’re talking to a real addict. I used cocaine. If I didn’t have to play ball, I wouldn’t have any responsibilities.’

Medical Crisis in 2015

The turning point came in 2015 when Odom suffered a severe health emergency at a Nevada brothel. The incident left him with kidney failure, multiple heart attacks, and 12 strokes. He was placed on life support before recovering.

Odom insists he was poisoned at the scene, despite earlier admitting to cocaine use. ‘I didn’t have any drugs that day,’ he stated. ‘I was angry as f*** because I just signed divorce papers with my wife.’ He described waking up days later with no memory of the events.

Having won two NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers, Odom now collaborates with HealLO.co, a wellness app, according to TMZ. His recovery journey continues as he seeks to overcome past struggles and rebuild his life.