Beyond the court: Former NBA player Chris Herren's battle with substance use disorder

Grieving Out Loud: A Mother Coping with Loss in the Opioid Epidemic

Like countless young boys, Chris Herren had an ambitious dream of becoming a professional basketball player. Chris turned his dream into reality, first playing for the Denver Nuggets and then achieving his ultimate goal of joining his hometown team, the Boston Celtics. But the life of a successful athlete isn't all glory. It comes with its challenges—long weekends, time away from home, stress, and pressure. Behind the scenes, Chris was also keeping a secret—a battle with substance use disorder that was wreaking havoc on his mind and body.
In this episode of Grieving Out Loud, Chris opens up about the hurdles he faced, the obstacles he overcame, and how addiction affected every aspect of his life in unimaginable ways. But here's the incredible part—Chris has a powerful message to share with others who might be going through similar struggles. His story is about resilience, hope, and the fight against substance use disorder.
Chris now travels across the country, bringing his story to students, adults, and professional athletes. He's even created a wellness program, authored a book, and his story has been featured in a film to prevent others from going down the dark road of substance abuse.

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Wishing you faith, hope and courage!
Podcast producers:
Casey Wonnenberg & Anna Fey