Celebrities and Addiction: What Lamar Odom Has Taught Us
The night of October 13, Khloe Kardashian got the call that anyone who loves an addict dreads: her estranged husband, Lamar Odom, had suffered a drug overdose and was in the hospital, fighting for his life. Although they were in the process of a divorce at the time, Kardashian dropped everything to be at his side. “All I knew was I had to get there,” Kardashian has since explained. “I had to make sure he was okay.”
In the following days and weeks, there was an outpouring of both sympathy and scorn for Odom. Many felt sorry for the former NBA star, who is believed to have turned to drugs to cope with a series of childhood and adult traumas. Others found the circumstances of his OD (which took place at a Las Vegas brothel after days of partying with prostitutes) pathetic. But no matter what one’s personal stance on Odom’s situation was, a larger, inescapable question loomed: how could someone with so much fame, money and access to the best healthcare possible have gotten to this point in the first place?
The lesson we have since learned through Odom — and other celebrities battling drug abuse — is perhaps the most vital one of all: addiction does not discriminate. It does not care who you are, where you live, who you know or how much money you have. It is not something you can pay your way out of or escape due to your VIP status. Once it strikes, the only way out is to seek professional treatment. It’s not easy for anyone, especially a high profile star, to admit they need help. But it’s the crucial first step to recovering and reclaiming their lives.
Through this terrifying brush with death, it’s something that Odom, who remains in the hospital, has hopefully recognized by now. Although Kardashian and other loved ones have pledged to be by his side, recovery is a choice only he can make. As Kardashian says: “There is a very long road ahead of Lamar. He has to walk that road by himself and, most importantly, he has to want to walk that road. I will be there supporting him every step of the way.”
At Reawakenings Wellness Center, we could not agree with this way of thinking more. The decision to seek and commit to recovery is one only the patient can make. But once they do, they will never be alone again.
Here at RWC, our exclusive, private accommodations are suited for even the most high profile clients. Discretion is our utmost priority and we offer luxurious, single-bed suites specifically for those seeking maximum privacy while addressing and overcoming their addiction.
No matter what your background, profession or income level, RWC is a serene haven where you can trust that our staff of trained professionals will protect your privacy while guiding you back towards the productive, fulfilling life you deserve.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please call today.