To some, the name Chris Herren rings a bell. He’s a former NBA basketball player who squandered his mega-talent because of his addiction to drugs. In fact, he once overdosed on heroin, crashed his car into a utility pole, and was considered dead for thirty seconds by on-scene paramedics. Drugs literally killed Chris Herren. But unlike most who overdose, Chris Herren was given a second chance.
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In one of our previous blog posts, we highlighted three celebrities who had overcome their addictions and went on to excel at their chosen careers. Today, we’d like to focus on Chris Herren because his addiction derailed his ultimate dream. He can never get that opportunity back. He has since recovered and has a great public speaking career, but in his case, drug addiction cost him dearly.
Chris Herren was a basketball standout at Durfee High School in Fall River, MA. He amassed over 2,000 career points and turned down scholarship offers from basketball powerhouses like the University of Kentucky and Duke University to stay near home and play at Boston College.
Despite being a much-hyped recruit, Herren lasted only one year at Boston College, having failed three drug tests and kicked out of school.
Chris got a second chance at Fresno State the next year, but failed yet another drug test. This time going to rehab for a month and then going on to finish a successful college career, which lead to him being drafted by the NBA.
Herren’s NBA career was reminiscent of his college career…brief and riddled with drugs. He played in only 70 NBA games before bouncing around Europe. Heroin addiction and his car crash ended any hope of ever returning to the form he was once capable of.
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Chris Herren now has a successful career traveling the country, speaking to youth on the dangers of addiction. He uses his story as a cautionary tale. He has greatly impacted many youth and we applaud his efforts and resilience. But we also need to learn from Chris’ story.
Drug addiction can take away opportunity. Chris ultimately lost out on his dream of being a professional basketball player. If you think you might be addicted to drugs or if you have a loved one that is, please contact Prominence Treatment Center as soon as possible. Our team can help you find the right combination of treatment methods to ensure that you don’t lose out on a once in a lifetime opportunity.