Basketball Junkie

1. From Basketball Prodigy to Addict: Chris Herren's Spiral into Darkness

"I was a walking contradiction that year. I'd go out and get fucked up, coming in to Mike and Andie's house in the early morning when the birds were chirpin' and the kids were getting ready to go off to school. I'd put curtains on the wall to block out the sun, to try to get my heart to stop racing so I could sleep. Then when I woke up I'd feel so guilty I'd go to the gym and take five hundred jumpers."

Early success and fame. Chris Herren was a basketball prodigy from Fall River, Massachusetts, following in the footsteps of his father and brother. He gained national attention in high school, becoming a McDonald's All-American and one of the most sought-after recruits in the country.

Descent into addiction. Despite his talent and potential, Herren's life began to unravel due to substance abuse. His journey into addiction started with alcohol and marijuana in high school, progressed to cocaine in college, and eventually led to a devastating heroin addiction. This spiral affected every aspect of his life, from his basketball career to his relationships with family and friends.

2. The Power of Addiction: Losing Everything for the Next High

"Without basketball the bottom fell out. Basketball and money had merely prolonged the inevitable. Take the cash out and it's a whole new game. The grind really begins. With money there's no dope sickness, no panic. Without it, it's all panic, a constant panic."

Addiction takes control. As Herren's addiction worsened, it became the driving force in his life. He prioritized getting high over everything else, including his family, career, and personal well-being. The constant need for drugs led to:

• Stealing money from loved ones
• Lying and manipulating to maintain his habit
• Risking his life and freedom to obtain drugs

Loss of career and finances. Herren's addiction cost him his NBA career and the millions of dollars he had earned. He went from playing in prestigious arenas to struggling to pay bills and resorting to selling drugs to support his habit.

3. Family Legacy and Pressure: The Weight of Expectations

"I was Michael Herren's brother. I even wore his number, 24, the same number our father had worn."

Basketball dynasty. The Herren family had a rich basketball legacy in Fall River:

• Chris's grandfather was a star player
• His father played and later entered politics
• His brother Michael was a local legend and college player

Pressure to perform. This legacy created immense pressure for Chris to succeed on the court. He felt the weight of expectations from:

• Family members
• Coaches and teammates
• The entire Fall River community

Escape through substances. The pressure to live up to these expectations contributed to Herren's turn to drugs and alcohol as a means of escape and coping with the stress.

4. The NBA Dream: A Brief Taste of Success and Its Aftermath

"I was the thirty-third pick in the NBA draft. Complete with a party to celebrate it."

Achieving the dream. Despite his struggles with addiction, Herren managed to reach the NBA, playing for the Denver Nuggets and later his hometown team, the Boston Celtics. This achievement was the culmination of years of hard work and a lifelong dream.

Short-lived success. However, Herren's NBA career was brief and tumultuous due to his ongoing substance abuse issues. His time in the league was marked by:

• Missed practices and games
• Declining performance on the court
• Strained relationships with coaches and teammates

Fall from grace. Herren's addiction ultimately led to his exit from the NBA, leaving him to pursue a career overseas where he could more easily hide his drug use.

5. Overseas Basketball: Chasing the Game and Drugs Across Borders

"I landed in Shanghai, which is another jumpin' place, looks like a mini New York. I landed loaded."

Global journey. After leaving the NBA, Herren's basketball career took him around the world, playing in countries such as:

• Italy
• Turkey
• China
• Poland
• Iran

Addiction knows no borders. Despite the change in scenery, Herren's addiction followed him everywhere. He found ways to obtain drugs in each country, often putting himself in dangerous situations.

Deteriorating performance. As his addiction worsened, Herren's ability to perform on the court declined, leading to shorter stints with teams and a constant need to find new opportunities.

6. Rock Bottom: Confronting the Devastating Impact on Family

"Larry, the Joe Pesci guy, said, 'Why don't you do the only noble thing you've ever done in your life and get away from your kids? Do them a favor and get the fuck out of their lives. Because you're like a ball and chain around their necks and they'll be better off without you.'"

Family suffering. Herren's addiction took a severe toll on his family:

• His wife, Heather, struggled to keep the family afloat financially and emotionally
• His children grew up in an unstable environment
• Extended family members were constantly worried and trying to help

Moment of truth. The harsh words from Larry at Daytop rehabilitation center forced Herren to confront the full impact of his addiction on his loved ones. This moment became a turning point in his journey to recovery.

Choosing recovery. Faced with the prospect of losing his family forever, Herren finally found the motivation to commit fully to his recovery and rebuild his life.

7. The Road to Recovery: Finding Hope and Rebuilding Life at Daytop

"That night was my bottom. It wasn't almost dying, as improbable as that might sound. It certainly wasn't blowing all the money I made in basketball, though that's what so many people point to. It wasn't the unbelievable shame, the kind of shame so powerful that you can't even look the people you care about in the eye. It wasn't even the thought of losing Heather, this woman who has always been the love of my life, and without whose support I'm convinced I'd now be dead. It was the idea that I would never see my kids grow up, would never again be in their lives in a meaningful way."

Hitting rock bottom. Herren's journey to recovery began when he truly hit rock bottom, realizing the full extent of what he stood to lose if he continued down the path of addiction.

Intensive rehabilitation. At Daytop, Herren underwent a rigorous program that included:

• Group therapy sessions
• Individual counseling
• Manual labor and assigned responsibilities
• Confronting the root causes of his addiction

Personal growth. Through this process, Herren began to:

• Develop coping mechanisms for dealing with stress and emotions
• Rebuild his sense of self-worth and purpose
• Learn to live without the crutch of drugs and alcohol

8. Reconnecting with Family: The Challenge of Rebuilding Trust

"I prayed for Chris and Samantha. I prayed for baby Drew. I prayed for my marriage. I prayed for my sobriety."

Slow process of reconciliation. Rebuilding relationships with his family, especially his wife Heather, was a gradual and challenging process:

• Limited contact during early recovery
• Supervised visits with children
• Rebuilding trust through consistent actions and honesty

Support system. Herren's family, particularly Heather, played a crucial role in his recovery:

• Offering forgiveness and second chances
• Providing motivation to stay sober
• Creating a stable environment for the children

Ongoing commitment. Herren realized that maintaining his family relationships required a lifelong commitment to sobriety and being present for his loved ones.

9. A New Purpose: Using Personal Experience to Help Others

"Be grateful for that white van, Chris," he said, "because that van takes you back and forth to meetings every day. That van is your lifeline."

Finding meaning in struggle. As Herren progressed in his recovery, he began to see how his experiences could be used to help others facing similar challenges.

Sharing his story. Herren started to open up about his journey:

• Speaking at schools and community events
• Participating in support groups and meetings
• Offering guidance to other athletes struggling with addiction

Creating a legacy of hope. By turning his painful past into a tool for helping others, Herren found a new purpose in life that went beyond basketball:

• Founding the Herren Project to assist individuals and families affected by addiction
• Becoming a motivational speaker and advocate for addiction awareness and prevention
• Using his platform to reduce the stigma surrounding addiction and recovery

Last updated: December 11, 2024