Former Boston Celtics guard Chris Herren recently shared his harrowing journey from athletic success to the depths of addiction with parents and students at Masuk High School as part of his personal efforts to pay forward the aid that saved his own life after struggles with drug addiction derailed his pro career and private life. In a series of presentations, Herren opened up about his troubled upbringing, teenage experimentation with drugs and alcohol, and the devastating consequences of his opioid addiction.
“In 1994, I had an opportunity to sit in a gymnasium and pay attention, and right now I would give anything to go back to 1994 and listen” said Herren via the Monroe Sun’s Bill Bittar.
Growing up in a household with an alcoholic father, Herren’s troubles began in his teen years.
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He described hanging out in basements, drinking beer from Solo cups, and smoking blunts in the backseats of cars. “I would see kids not do it and say to myself, ‘Maybe he has something I’m missing man,'” said Herren.
“Kids that can hang out in friends’ basements and can be themselves, these kids are warriors to me.”
Herren emphasized the importance of addressing issues early, stating, “We think about the worst day and not the first day.” His goal is to reach struggling students before their problems spiral out of control.
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“It’s an honor to do this,” said the former Celtic, who now dedicates himself to being the voice that might have nudged him off the fraught path of substance abuse he tumbled onto almost without noticing.
“I understand this isn’t for everyone,” he added, thinking back to a younger version of himself that missed the message presented to him when he was still in high school.
“I needed it and I wish I listened,” offered Herren. “God bless you.”
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