Lamar Odom, a former NBA player, has opened up about his struggles with drug and s** addiction in a recent interview.
He revealed that in the summer of 2004, he tried cocaine for the first time and described the feeling as “orgasmic.”
This initial experience with cocaine led to a dangerous pattern where he would combine it with s**, believing that the two had to go hand in hand.
As time went on, Odom’s addiction only worsened and began to take a toll on his promising basketball career.
One notable incident occurred in June 2009, after the Lakers won their 15th NBA championship.
Odom had been partying heavily the night before and nearly missed the victory parade.
His disheveled appearance raised concerns among those close to him, including the Lakers’ athletic trainer, Gary Vitti.
Vitti recalled that Odom appeared to have been partying all night and expressed fear for his well-being.
He emphasized that while occasional marijuana use might be manageable, Odom’s involvement with more dangerous substances was a cause for concern.
The severity of Odom’s addiction became evident in October 2015 when he was found unconscious in a Nevada brothel due to a cocaine overdose.
He fell into a coma for three days and suffered multiple strokes, heart attacks, and organ damage.
Even after this near-death experience, Odom continued to struggle with drug abuse.
It was at this point that a friend reached out to Mike “Zappy” Zapolin, an advocate for psychedelic medicine, for help.
Zapolin suggested ketamine treatment as a potential solution for Odom’s mental health issues, including depression and anxiety.
Odom decided to give ketamine treatment a try and underwent several sessions over a period of two to three weeks.
Throughout the process, he was closely monitored by doctors who kept track of his blood pressure and heart rate.
In a documentary titled “Lamar Odom: Reborn,” Odom spoke about his experience with ketamine treatment.
He described feeling an incredible sense of well-being after his first session and expressed that he didn’t want it to end.
Today, at the age of 41, Odom asserts that he no longer wakes up with cravings for cocaine.
He continues to receive ketamine treatments and booster sessions under the supervision of his doctors.
The “Lamar Odom: Reborn” documentary delves into Odom’s journey of using psychedelic medicines to combat his depression and drug addiction.
It sheds light on his struggles and the potential benefits of alternative treatments in addressing mental health issues.
Overall, Lamar Odom’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the destructive nature of addiction and the importance of seeking help and exploring innovative solutions to overcome it.
