Chris Herren Story A Cautionary Tale About Drug Abuse

Chris Herren never intended to become a druggie

. From the time he first encountered cocaine in his dorm room at Boston College, to an injured wrist that sidelined his college career and led him to abuse painkillers, the former NBA stars life became forever intertwined with getting high, a life that has recently been depicted in an ESPN documentary.

The documentary, which is part of the networks 30-for-30 series, offers a gruesomely honest portrayal of a young man, once the pride of Fall River, Massachusetts and the central figure of a book titled, Fall River Dreams, who nearly died of a heroin overdose as his car crashed into a McDonalds, the needle still in his arm when paramedics found him. Actually, Herren DID die for 30 seconds, according to doctors who saved him.

The sad part is, Herren almost didnt make it. You can hear it in his voice as he tells his own story throughout the documentary, his voice quivering during the difficult moments. Its tough to stomach, especially when his downward spiral isnt much different than others who have come and gone before him, and those still struggling to tackle their addictions.

An interesting aspect of the film is the role that painkillers had in Herrens addiction. Hed pop prescription pills like Oxycontin to alleviate injuries sustained on the court. Even in the NBA, when he played the for the Denver Nuggets and then the Boston Celtics, he stood outside the Fleet Center on a Boston street corner waiting for his dealer to give him his fix.

When his career took him to Europe and Oxy wasnt readily available, Herren resorted to street drugs heroin, also an opiate, and later, crystal meth. He would come to games high on cocaine and stay awake for days. He passed out in an alley way on a night his wife and children came to get him from the air port. That was one instance of rock bottom for Herren, although his road to recovery saw several relapses and setbacks.

A final stint in rehab ultimately saved Herren, at least for now. Hes maintained sobriety from drugs since June 4, 2008, and has been alcohol free since August 1, 2008. He has made it his lifes mission to educate and inform people about the dangers of drug use. He also mentors young basketball players in the New England area.

A key message of the film is that recovery from drug abuse is a daily process. It doesnt just happen and it isnt just a one and done thing. Its a daily commitment that recovering abusers and recovering alcoholics must make. Its a difficult process, but ultimately a rewarding one, as seen in the film.

by: Laine McKenna

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