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Part 9: Rex Chapman on Facing 14 Felonies for Shoplifting, Accountant Trying to Hide His Money
Part 7: Rex Chapman on Being First NBA Player to Sign AND1 Deal, Prescribed Opioids for Foot Injury
Part 1: Former NBA Player Rex Chapman on His Dad Being a College Coach and Not Recruiting Him
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Former professional basketball player Rex Chapman opened up about his decade-long struggle with OxyContin and Vicodin addiction. Chapman shared that he began using OxyContin following a standard appendectomy while playing for the Phoenix Suns in 1999. He professed to fall instantly for the drug within a day or two and amped up his intake to 10 OxyContin and 40 Vicodin pills per day, equating to 100 Vicodin daily, within 18 months. During his addiction, Chapman felt the drugs eased his depression and anxiety and made him "nicer," "funnier," and "smarter." He turned to self-medication after retiring from his basketball career, which he said left a void. After a year and a half, his addiction escalated, leading to rehab on the insistence of his friend, former NBA player and coach Danny Ainge. Despite several attempts at rehab, Chapman remained on opioid Suboxone treatment for an additional 10 years.
