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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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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'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’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 ...
Rex Chapman's basketball career and personal life
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Rex Chapman's experience reveals the severe impact of addiction and substance abuse, particularly in the high-pressure world of professional sports.
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.
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.
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.
Chapman recalls his painful detox process, comparing the withdrawal f ...
Addiction and substance abuse challenges
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Chapman's journey to recovery highlights the complexities of addiction and the personal solutions individuals might find in their battle for a healthy lifestyle.
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.
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.
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.
Recovery and finding a healthy lifestyle
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