Podcasts > Adam Carolla Show > Brent Pella on Hippies & RFK Jr. + Rex Chapman on Addiction & NIL

Brent Pella on Hippies & RFK Jr. + Rex Chapman on Addiction & NIL

By PodcastOne / Carolla Digital

In this episode of the Adam Carolla Show, former NBA star Rex Chapman opens up about his rise to basketball stardom and the personal struggles that accompanied his success.

Chapman discusses navigating the racism and pressure surrounding his interracial relationship in college and how this isolation led to coping mechanisms like gambling and promiscuity. He then details his descent into a devastating opioid addiction following NBA injuries, the subsequent loss of his $40 million fortune, and his long battle with rehab and withdrawal.

Chapman shares how he has maintained sobriety in recent years through a regimen involving medical marijuana and light substances. The episode highlights the extreme depths of addiction but also the power of resilience, support systems, and holistic self-care.

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Brent Pella on Hippies & RFK Jr. + Rex Chapman on Addiction & NIL

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Brent Pella on Hippies & RFK Jr. + Rex Chapman on Addiction & NIL

1-Page Summary

Rex Chapman's basketball career and personal life

Chapman was a basketball prodigy, excelling in the sport from a young age

Rex Chapman's natural athletic abilities were on display at a young age, frequently outplaying kids much older than himself. With parents' support, including coaching from his basketball player father, Chapman received advanced training early on. By high school, a significant growth spurt further accelerated his basketball skills.

Chapman faced racism around his interracial relationship in college

Despite his basketball success at the University of Kentucky, Chapman's college years were marred by the racist attitudes he encountered regarding his interracial relationship with girlfriend Shawn Higgs. He was instructed by coaches to hide their relationship, causing him great emotional distress. Chapman felt isolated by the racist environment and pressure to portray a false "all American kid" image, coping through gambling and promiscuity.

Addiction and substance abuse challenges

Chapman became addicted to painkillers after NBA injuries

A series of injuries and surgeries during Chapman's NBA career led to him being prescribed Oxycontin, to which he rapidly became addicted, taking up to 50 pills per day. His addiction spiraled into a severe gambling habit that caused him to blow through his $40 million earnings.

His addiction nearly destroyed his life

Chapman illustrates the dangerous descent of addiction, stealing to support his pill habit and nearly turning to heroin when funds ran out. He recalls the excruciating withdrawal process, comparing it to heroin detox. Chapman made multiple attempts at rehab over the years.

Recovery and finding a healthy lifestyle

Chapman has been clean from opioids for years

After years of struggle, Chapman says he has been opioid-free for 9.5 years since his last rehab stint in 2014. He credits medical marijuana for helping manage anxiety and withdrawal symptoms.

A regimen of light substances aids his mental health

While not claiming total sobriety, Chapman uses light beer, marijuana, antidepressants and sleep aids as part of a regimen to maintain his mental health and sobriety from harder substances.

He's grateful for the support system that helped him through addiction

Chapman expresses gratitude for the network of friends and basketball connections who supported him through his lowest points, recognizing many addicts lack such resources.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Rex Chapman was a basketball prodigy who excelled from a young age, receiving early training and experiencing a significant growth spurt in high school. He faced racism during his college years due to his interracial relationship, causing emotional distress and leading to coping mechanisms like gambling and promiscuity. Chapman struggled with addiction to painkillers during his NBA career, which spiraled into a severe gambling habit, impacting his finances and personal life. Despite his challenges, Chapman has been clean from opioids for several years, crediting medical marijuana for helping manage anxiety and withdrawal symptoms, and maintaining a regimen of light substances for his mental health.
  • Chapman faced significant racist attitudes in college due to his interracial relationship, leading to emotional distress and pressure to hide his personal life. This environment caused him to feel isolated and conflicted, impacting his mental well-being and coping mechanisms during that time.
  • Chapman's painkiller addiction stemmed from prescribed Oxycontin due to injuries during his NBA career. The addictive nature of the painkillers led to a severe gambling habit as he struggled to cope with the physical and emotional toll of his injuries. The cycle of painkiller use to manage injuries, subsequent addiction, and the financial strain from gambling formed a destructive loop in Chapman's life.
  • Rex Chapman's descent into addiction involved stealing to support his pill habit and nearly turning to heroin when he ran out of funds. This downward spiral showcases the destructive impact of addiction on his life and the extreme measures he considered to feed his addiction. Chapman's struggles with substance abuse led him to engage in risky behaviors and contemplate using even more dangerous substances like heroin.
  • Medical marijuana played a role in Rex Chapman's journey by helping him manage anxiety and withdrawal symptoms during his recovery from opioid addiction. Chapman credits medical marijuana for its therapeutic effects in alleviating these symptoms, which are common during the withdrawal process. This alternative treatment approach was part of his strategy to maintain his mental health and sobriety after battling addiction.
  • Chapman's use of light substances like beer, marijuana, antidepressants, and sleep aids for mental health and sobriety maintenance is a part of his harm reduction strategy. Harm reduction focuses on minimizing the negative consequences of substance use rather than complete abstinence. These substances may help him manage anxiety, sleep issues, and other mental health challenges without resorting to more harmful substances. Chapman's approach reflects a personalized and evolving journey towards maintaining his well-being post-addiction.
  • Chapman's support system played a crucial role in his recovery from addiction by providing emotional support, guidance, and understanding during his toughest moments. Having a network of friends and basketball connections who stood by him helped Chapman navigate the challenges of addiction and encouraged him to seek help when needed. This support system offered him a sense of belonging and acceptance, which are essential for individuals recovering from addiction. Chapman's gratitude towards his support system highlights the significant impact that a strong network can have on someone's journey to sobriety and mental well-being.

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Brent Pella on Hippies & RFK Jr. + Rex Chapman on Addiction & NIL

Rex Chapman's basketball career and personal life

Rex Chapman's journey from a young basketball prodigy to an NBA player was marked by both athletic success and personal struggles, particularly around the racism he encountered during college.

Chapman was an athletic prodigy from a young age, playing against older kids and excelling at basketball from an early age

Chapman's natural aptitude for basketball was evident from the beginning, frequently playing against kids who were significantly older. With his dad being a coach and a former professional basketball player, Chapman had early access to advanced training.

During his growth spurt in early high school, he shot up about six inches, which helped him advance his game even further. This prowess on the court followed him to the University of Kentucky, where his college basketball career was marked by success on the court, despite its tumultuous nature due to internal team issues and forthcoming probation. After his stint at college, Chapman entered the NBA as a first-round draft pick for the Charlotte Hornets. Despite initial challenges, he found his rhythm and enjoyed a successful 12-year career, including memorable games against legendary teams like the Showtime Lakers.

Chapman faced challenges with racism and lack to support for his interracial relationship in college

Chapman’s college years were troubled not just by the issues within the basketball team but also by the racist attitudes he faced regarding his private life. Coaches at the University of Kentucky discouraged him from publicly dating his black girlfriend, causing him great emotional distress.

He felt isolated as a result of the racist environment and the pressure to hide his interracial relationship. R ...

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Rex Chapman's basketball career and personal life

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • During his college years, Rex Chapman faced significant pressure and consequences for his interracial relationship. Coaches discouraged him from publicly dating his black girlfriend, causing emotional distress and isolation. Chapman felt compelled to hide his relationship due to racist attitudes, leading to feelings of being trapped and engaging in coping mechanisms like gambling and promiscuity. The directive to keep the relationship hidden had a profound impact on Chapman's mental well-being and personal life during that time.
  • Chapman resorted to gambling and promiscuity as coping mechanisms in response to the challenges he faced, including the pressure to hide his interracial relationship due to racist attitudes. Gambling and promiscuity can sometimes serve as distractions or ways to numb emotional pain. These behaviors may provide temporary relief but can also lead to further complications and negative consequences in the long run. Chapman's engagement in these activities reflects the emotional turmoil and struggles he experienced during that period.
  • Chapman's experience with racism ...

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Brent Pella on Hippies & RFK Jr. + Rex Chapman on Addiction & NIL

Addiction and substance abuse challenges

Rex Chapman's experience reveals the severe impact of addiction and substance abuse, particularly in the high-pressure world of professional sports.

Chapman became addicted to painkillers after several NBA injuries and surgeries

After enduring a series of injuries and surgeries during his NBA career, Chapman was prescribed Oxycontin. He states that he quickly fell in love with the drug, becoming hooked within a day or two. Rapidly developing a dependency, he began taking up to 50 pills per day, chewing them to hasten their effect and hiding them under his mattress at night.

Addiction led to gambling and financial recklessness, blowing through millions of dollars

Chapman's addiction spiraled into other destructive behaviors, including a severe gambling habit. He never attended the racetrack with less than $7,500 and would often withdraw additional money to continue gambling after losses. This recklessness led to him losing his $40 million earnings from his basketball career.

Addiction to opioids and gambling nearly destroyed Chapman's life

Despite not specifically addressing rehab attempts or the full scope of his avoidance of heroin and the illegal drug trade, the substance abuse cycle is evident in Chapman's narrative. His descent into addiction had him taking excessive amounts of pills daily, resulting in stealing to support his habit and nearly turning to heroin when funds ran out.

Went through multiple rehab attempts, experienced hellish withdrawals from opioids

Chapman recalls his painful detox process, comparing the withdrawal f ...

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Addiction and substance abuse challenges

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Rex Chapman was a former NBA player who played as a shooting guard and small forward. Throughout his career, he faced multiple injuries, including knee injuries and surgeries, which led to him being prescribed painkillers like Oxycontin. These injuries and subsequent treatments contributed to his struggles with addiction and substance abuse. Chapman's experiences highlight the challenges athletes can face with pain management and the risks of developing dependencies on prescription medications in high-pressure environments like professional sports.
  • Detox from opioids like Oxycontin involves severe withdrawal symptoms such as intense cravings, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, and anxiety. The process can be physically and mentally challenging, often requiring medical supervision to manage symptoms and ensure safety. Detoxing from opioids is a crucial step in overcoming addiction but can be a difficult and painful experience for individuals. Professional support and appropriate medical care are essential during this phase to increase the chances of successful recovery.
  • Suboxone is a medication used in medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction. It contains buprenorphine and naloxone, which help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Vicodin is a prescription pain medication that contains hydrocodone and acetaminophen. It is an opioid and can be addictive if n ...

Counterarguments

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Brent Pella on Hippies & RFK Jr. + Rex Chapman on Addiction & NIL

Recovery and finding a healthy lifestyle

Chapman's journey to recovery highlights the complexities of addiction and the personal solutions individuals might find in their battle for a healthy lifestyle.

After years of struggle, Chapman was able to get clean and sober

Chapman, who faced a significant battle with addiction, has been clean from opioids for nine and a half years since his last stint in rehab in 2014. He attributes part of his success to the use of medical marijuana, which he says has saved his life and made him more punctual, responsible, and functional than before.

Found that medical marijuana helped him manage anxiety and withdrawal symptoms

Chapman discusses his use of medical marijuana to aid in managing workouts and social interactions, which helps him handle anxiety. He explains that it allows him to quiet his mind and sit with his emotions, unlike in the past when he would seek to avoid negative feelings through substance abuse.

Uses light beer, antidepressants, and other regulated substances to maintain his mental health

Instead of claiming total sobriety, Chapman prefers the term "clean," indicating his continued use of Coors Light occasionally and medical marijuana to manage past addiction issues. He also takes prescribed Zoloft (an antidepressant) and amitriptyline (a sleep aid), which are part of his regimen to maintain mental health. Drinking light beer on ice is another method Chapman uses to control his alcohol intake while socializing.

Chapman feels grateful for the support system that helped him through his recovery ...

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Recovery and finding a healthy lifestyle

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Chapman's use of medical marijuana in addiction recovery is a controversial but increasingly recognized approach. Some individuals find that medical marijuana can help manage withdrawal symptoms, anxiety, and other challenges during the recovery process. It's important to note that while some people like Chapman have reported benefits from using medical marijuana in their recovery journey, this approach may not be suitable or effective for everyone due to individual differences and varying responses to treatment.
  • Chapman's preference for the term "clean" over total sobriety indicates that he acknowledges his past struggles with addiction but allows himself to use certain regulated substances like light beer and prescribed medications to manage his mental health. This term choice reflects a more flexible approach to recovery, where he focuses on harm reduction and overall well-being rather than strict abstinence from all substances. Chapman's use of the term "clean" aligns with harm reduction principles, emphasizing progress and health maintenance over rigid adherence to traditional sobriety norms.
  • Chapman uses light beer, antidepressants, and other regulated substances as part of his mental health maintenance regimen. These substances, along with medical marijuana, play a role in managing his past addiction issues and overall well-being. Chapman's approach to mental health maintenance involves a combination of prescribed medications and controlled alcohol consumption to support his recovery journey. This strategy reflects his personalized ...

Counterarguments

  • While medical marijuana can be beneficial for some, it is not a universally effective treatment for addiction and may not be suitable for everyone.
  • Using substances like light beer and medical marijuana might not align with some definitions of being "clean," as abstinence-based recovery models consider any use of psychoactive substances as not being sober.
  • The use of alcohol, even light beer, to control intake could be risky for some individuals in recovery, as it may lead to relapse into heavier drinking.
  • Prescribed medications like Zoloft and amitriptyline are helpful for many, but they also come with potential side effects and risks that must be carefully managed.
  • The support system Chapman had is indeed crucial, but ...

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