This NBA Player Was Addicted To Drugs Since He Was 18 | Chris Herren

“Wired to seek relief”
Man do I relate to that

He spoke at one of the rehabs that I went to. I can't remember which one, but his story planted a seed of getting clean that eventually germinated and grew up. I am going on 7 years clean off the needle, dope, etc.. I'm not going to lie and tell you that his story touched me so much that I got clean immediately and stayed sober forever. Nope!!! However, I'll never forget his story 💯

So i shot up for 11 years. Almost died of heart infection several times. I left a 28 day rehab because they made me watch the Chris Herron doc, while i was DETOXING! Anyway, i'm 23 months sober right now, and never going back. Glad i can watch Chris speak now, knowing he'd be proud of me.

You can tell this guy didn't give one single answer Pat was expecting him to give, that shows true honesty

That “YO” when Chris called West Virginia out for having “hillbilly heroin” killed me 😂😂😂

My sister in law works for Chris and The Herren Project. This guy is 100% genuine and a true inspiration to everyone living that struggle. Pat is the man for having him on here.

He spoke at my highschool and was very moving

“I think I’m wired to seek relief”
Man I felt that so so much.

His 30 for 30 was the best they've ever made in my opinion. What a great story.

This man has been a huge inspiration for me for so long. Writing this from Fall River and coming up on 6 months clean from heroin!!

chris spoke at my school, one of the best speakers i have seen which was the same opinion shared by everyone

I’m from Boston and chris is a legend around here. He had the same issues so many others deal with and he’s very open about the struggles. He went to the top of the top to rock bottom and now landed on his feet and doing well. Glad he turned it around

I feel into the oc scene early 2000s, 10yrs went by, found myself in rehab(finally), scene his story there and it hit home hard...coming up on 9yrs free of the dope and needles

My dad teaches in the Arlington School District (upstate ny by Poughkeepsie). And Chris Herren spoke at Arlington highschool in I want to say 2017 or 2016. Anyway when he was speaking the room was silent and his words were so powerful. Never seen anything like it. This man is an inspiration !

I remember when some smart ass kid laughed during his speech when he spoke at our school and he called him out in front of the entire school, most memorable speaker in all my years at school

He spoke at my high school almost 6 years ago & it was the best assembly speaker we’ve had. Ever. So real & it definitely got to all of us. Much respect

He spoke at my college. I thought oh boy another story about someone pissing their career away. Chris moved me from the first sentence. Congrats on 12 years sober Chris!

Even tho he is joking about it now. U can hear the shame in his voice. As a recovering addict i 100% feel it.

Chris herren is a legend!!! much love

Coming from me goin on 4 years sober I remember being high as a kite watching his 30 for 30 and just getting so much out of it still to this day being inspired from his story

I’ve been clean now 2 years , it’s something you need to want and be ready to do , cuz I heard all the stories while I was getting High , took so many years and tears , I caused so much pain to the ppl I love , but …these last 2 years , have been amazing finding me again and changing for the better and fixing those relationships I’ve damaged during being an addict .

I grew up 3 hrs north of fall river and lived and died hoops and I knew of how awesome Chris Herren was. My wife was born and raised right next town over in New Bedford and she had no idea who I was talking about the first time we talked and she told me where she from and I said oh cool do you know Chris Herren. She said no and I almost never talked to her again (glad I wasn't that dumb) cause he was god to kids growing up around me. I always wanted to shake his hand and talk with him because of some similarities we've shared

spoke at my high school a few years back. very inspiring

We from the same city, same neighborhoods....I’m in recovery as well.. I’m an addiction counselor. We talk about this dude in treatment all the time.

This guy is an inspiration to so many in so many ways. His life is exactly like mine in every way I just wasn't as close to as talented of a ball player. Its a miracle he's alive and a blessing he's doing what he's doing now. You will never get sober unless you man up and decide you want it more than anything. For yourself no one else. Its worth it.

Listening to Chris and Pat go back and forth it's maybe the best real life connection I've seen on this show

I'm from Fresno California. Chris Herren DOMINATED for us during my childhood. I still tell everyone the 2 best players i ever saw live: Kobe Bryant, Chris Herren. Fresno always loves ya Chris!

You're awesome Chris! I've been clean for 3 yrs now after a 15 yr struggle with coke, oxy, and heroin. It is a miracle that I'm alive today. God came into my room one night when I was contemplating a second suicide attempt and changed me in the blink of an eye Keep doing what you do Chris!

High school teacher here. He spoke at my school a few years ago and you could have heard a pin drop in the gym when he told his story to the kids.

The realest part of the documentary is where he looks in the mirror and, for the first time in years, respects what he sees. Wow. Best 3030 ever.

Been sober 26 days now and going through it. It’s tuff and you think about it everyday but finding motivation through family really has helped the most! Hope I make it to 12 years too! So glad I saw this today and found out about Chris. Addicted to pain pills for 10 years and also took about 12 thirty milligram pills a day. Everything Chris said in this interview is 100% true! Definitely going to look him up right now. So glad I saw this today 💯🙏🏼

As an addict I understand everything he said. A lot of people won't but the way he describes addiction is spot on. Once you're hooked it's over. Will do anything to keep it hanging on by a thread. Lying, shutting people out, secrets that become too many to count, depression, hating yourself. I lived it in my past life. To anyone who doesn't understand... Its a real disease and its horrible

"I think I'm wired to seek relief" - deepest statement here

I am from fall river i know Chris very well he works with my uncle they have been best friends for years and he is one of the strongest people ive ever met. If you haven't seen his 30 for 30 you should see it.

Visited my high school my freshman year, man is powerful and his story really hits ya

I’m a former opiate addict myself, oxycodone was my crutch. To hear the positivity in this mans voice and to know where he’s come from, is a miracle. God bless you Chris Herren, oh and Pat your alright too yuh old bag

Him in person to the kids in person is powerful

Had a great conversation with him. He is a truly great man.

I have lived in Denver since 1991, and I've been a die hard Nuggets fan ever since. I remember very clearly when Chris was drafted; and I remember all the players we had at the time. I had heard some partial stories of some of his prior struggles at Boston College, but for the most part, the stories were more focused on his successes at Fresno. (Here in Denver at least) It wasn't until the ESPN special "Unguarded" came out that I learned his story. Aside from being one of the best overall athletes to ever play basketball, Chris is an INCREDIBLE individual; well beyond his game. He wears his heart on his sleeve at all times and is not afraid to put his vulnerabilities on display for the world to see; and he's fearless about doing so. And yet, he still maintains a down-to-earth demeanor, and is even able to look back and laugh (sort of) at some of his past exploits. He is one of the greatest motivational speakers I've ever heard before; he's actually one that I WANT to listen to. Aside from occasionally drinking too much, I've never had a true addiction like his; so I have no way to relate to what he is saying. That being said however, I'm interested (almost to the point of obsession) in watching documentaries on drugs and addiction. Another great example was the Todd Marinovich story. The difference between the two is that I believe Chris is a more genuine; and kinder person; whereas Marinovich kinda comes off as an ass sometimes. Oh well. Interesting stuff. Either way, I love Chris Herren, and I wish they would do another run of the Durfee High School basketball jerseys; I'd snatch one right up if given the chance!

Man I remember watching his 30 for 30 years ago for the first time... I never was on drugs or anything but, it in some way changed my life. I have total admiration for Chris he is truly a hero!!💯

Dope interview

He spoke at my high school when I was in 7th grade. Guy is an inspiration for many, and is doing great things!

That was the guy that came to my school and told his story

This is one of the best interviews you guys have done. Excellent questions and an interesting guest.

This guys came to my to my high school probably 2015 ish all the way in New Jersey for a talk/presentation and honestly will never forget this man

Seen him speak about 3-4 times up here in New England...great motivational speaker!

His 30 for 30 was one of the more emotional ones that I seen

One of the greatest sports stories of all time!!!!

watched the 30 for 30 forever ago never realized how crazy it is for one person to make it to the nba and overcome addiction like that

Thank you for listening and sharing this story about the other side of addiction

You ever see him play when he was on?
Lights out shooter, smart like Flutie in a basketball uniform, I hope the man has peace in his life, cant imagine the hell

My hero god bless that man🙏
Southie ☘

I watched about this guy in rehab he was a true inspiration the 30 for 30 was so moving he thanks for having this guy on your show pat

Met this guy my Senior Year! One of my idols and his story is nothing short of amazing

From Fresno all my life and Herren is a household name. Loved watching him play and succeed. Heard a lot of street stories about him around town. Watched his story in my dui class 😂 but so happy to see him looking so happy and healthy after what he's been through! Go Dogs!

The herren foundation helped get me into treatment a few years ago and saved my life. I had a viscious heroin problem and they were amazing people who care a lot about really helping people.

Love you Chris. Your work and passion is inspiring. Keep it up Brother.

Great interview gentlemen! Chris rocked as well...Thanks.

Great interview, great guy great story and living proof u can change & live a good life.

Chris is the man and this was a great interview

He spoke at my high school also and it was very good.

I'm withdrawing from herion right now feels like I'm fuckin dying... Someone plz pray for me!

Every once and while. I need to hear this conversation again to remind myself. Thanks guys.

Between him speaking to us and the story of Len Bias being constantly preached to us during elementary school I never even considered touching the hard stuff. He’s a big name around here in RI/MA.

Great video Pat, Chris is a guardian angle on earth!

I’ve watched unguarded many times one of the best documentaries I’ve ever seen made me a huge Chris Herren fan

How do you have dislikes for this video, great interview, very real conversation, love it keep them coming

Saw him play in person at Fresno St. That cat was cold blooded!!! Man could flat out ball!!!!

Thanks Pat always enjoy the show but this was great 👍👍

Excellent interview Pat

I remember we watched the ESPN thing on him at school he has suck a crazy story

This man spoke at my high school. Awesome man

Lived a few towns from him as a kid. He was a senior when I was a junior I think. We would fill our stands and boo and yell and curse as Herren dropped 30 on us. Unstoppable as a kid.

Great interview

He spoke at my school what a stud!

I know you are not reading this, but God Bless you and your family. My brother died tragically in his addiction at thirty two. I am seven years in and thank God every day. Be safe and may God get you to a peaceful life in serenity.

I used to watch Chris herren at Fresno state. They had a good team. I’m glad he changes his life around

I actually had the pleasure in meeting him after he spoke at my high school a few years ago. He's such a great inspiration to men and women of all ages.
Hello from Central Pennsylvania.

He spoke at my school and as a staff it was incredible to see him move the kids from our area, from Massachusetts. Told students to stop laughing and grilled them hard. What a guy

I had the honor of hearing Chris two times. The first time,i listened to him speak, i admit that i was very judgmental of a kid, viewing him as a guy who just threw everything away and he wanted to scare people out of doing drugs.
However, i was very unaware at the time of the rampant drug crisis that haunts my hometown, and it took the death of one of my classmates to understand the depth that this problem had. Around 2 months after this student passed away, Chris gave an assembly to our entire school. After he told his story, we had the chance to hear from students who were affected by addiction and the impact that it had had on there life. To get a chance to understand that even in a upper middle class suburb, nobody was immune to this pandemic of addiction.
I can confidently say that Chris Herren has changed my life. He is using his experience as a way to inspire others to get help. To give one an understanding of how devastating addiction is. Using it to break a stigma. I believe that everyone should be required to listen to this mans story. Thank you Chris. Much love to you and your family and best wishes in continuing to change the world.

Inspirational , respect ✊

I'm 51yo and Unguarded was the best documentary I've ever watched. Watched it probably 20 times

If you are struggling with any kind of addiction, this man can help you and can influence you to quit. We all should be thankful that Chris is here and teaching young people what drugs can do to your life

He has spoken at my high school. Great speaker and very moving.

This dude spoke at my high school he seemed like such a genuine and nice guy

Awesome dude 👍👏🏼👏🏼

so odd to see him now. I was 2 years behind him but got to see my friends play against him. He was a one man wrecking machine. But you couldn't really play a box and one on him because he'd crush your best player on d. But our town gave them a run they didn't want. He was a madman who fought through everything you put at him.

Great show

Watching from SA, TX

Best interview ever.

Remember Chris from his Fresno State days, the guy was an incredible competitor on the court and I always wondered why he didn't pan out, until I heard his story from an interview a couple years back. Heartbreaking stuff, so glad he's doing okay these days.

He’s 44 and looks about 37, despite how hard he lived for so many years and how much drugs he did. That’s crazy to me. He looks well like he lived his entire life super healthy.

I found his rookie card autographed and graded today! It’s probably not worth much but I’m a fan of his story and I’ll display it

What an amazing story. I’m coming up on 20 years I understand what he was saying especially the 2 lives.

Best interview yet, no doubt

I like hearing other peoples hardship stories. Not a lot of us who can walk away from drugs or walk away with no help from anyone or anything is even harder like i did. Its not an easy road but its the best rd to truly fixing yourself because you use your own mental prowess and thats so much more rewarding. I congratulate anyone who can give that life up and stay away for ever after that.

I’m a Former addict and trust me, 1600 mg a day is INSANE. That would kill any normal person and even a lot of addicts. That’s death right there. That will lead you to smack every time. Seems like a great dude, the unguarded doc was awesome.

Best interview ever

Watching this documentary and him coming to my school was quite informative

As someone who used to do a shitload of oxies and eventually ended up shooting heroin I could not imagine trying he a professional athlete doing that. I mean if something goes wrong and you dont your fix that day you gonna be going through withdrawal symptoms hard core. That man is an absolute beast in my eyes for having the money of a professional player and being able to drop the drugs when you can pretty much buy whatever you want.