"Unguarded"...Changing Lives

After viewing an ESPN special on basketball star, Chris Herren, it became apparent how great this documentary would be for a blog post. This story was not only eye-opening but it was a great lesson for young adults struggling with addiction This heroic story of Chris Herren was extremely interesting and enthralling about what it's like to live with a serious addiction problem and how it can affect your life dramatically. Chris Herren was a basketball player from Fall River, Massachusetts who was one of a kind. He played his high school career at Durfee High School in Fall River and continued to attend college at both Boston College and California State University. Unfortunately during his time in college he developed an addiction problem, starting with alcohol, then cocaine and finally heroin. His unsteady lifestyle and habits somehow led him to the NBA and he was drafted in 1999 by the Denver Nuggets. After being with the Nuggets for a year, he was traded to the Boston Celtics which was not only rewarding but exciting as Massachusetts was his home. His year with the Celtics ended abruptly after enduring a serious injury which kept him out of the game for quite some time. Due to his injury, his NBA career ended but Herren didn't give up. He continued to play basketball overseas in hopes that he would be able to return to the NBA after building up his endurance and regaining strength. Unfortunately his addiction to alcohol and cocaine escalated into something bigger than he could ever imagine. His addiction took over his life, his body and his mind and ruined all the opportunity and chances he had at making a name for himself. Being overseas only allowed him to continue with drugs and alcohol but when he returned to the States in 2003 he hit his bottom. It was the day that he was found unconscious in his car with a needle of heroin in his arm that forced him to change his habits and his life. Herren went to rehab and has been drug and alcohol free since 2008. In trying to promote his story and struggle he developed his own basketball development company where he teaches kids how to play and become better basketball players. Off the court he travels and tells young adults about his story and hopes that he will be able to reach those who are struggling with addiction. 

While hearing his story I was amazed at what he went through and how he let himself get to such a dark place. I think that his effort to tell young adults his story is not only incredible but it gives these adults someone they can relate to. There is always someone out there going through something similar if not the same thing that you are and by Chris telling his story he is able to connect with those struggling with addiction as well. I advise everyone to watch this documentary not because it focuses on addiction but teaches some amazing life lessons. It was truly inspiring to me and I'm glad I took the time to watch.