Lamar Odom Will Publicly Address His Near-Fatal Overdose on The Doctors

The former Los Angeles Lakers player was in a coma for days after an ischemic stroke triggered by drugs

By Samantha Schnurr Dec 15, 2016 7:33 PMTags
Lamar Odom, The DoctorsThe Doctors

More than a year after his near-fatal overdose, Lamar Odom will finally sit down and recall the day he almost died. 

In a new teaser for Friday's episode of The Doctors, the former athlete appears in an exclusive interview to discuss his 2015 overdose and claims that he is still battling substance abuse. 

"There are reports that you've still been using substances—is that true or false?" Odom is asked as he remains silent. For Friday's interview, the trailer promises a "candid confessional" on everything from Odom's overdose to his "demons" as he starts on his road to recovery. 

"Lamar Odom has checked into rehab," Odom's publicist Eve Sarkisyan-Nunn told E! News in a statement. "After consulting with his family and friends, and meeting with Dr. Travis Stork of The Doctors, he has decided it is best he take time to focus on himself. He is dedicated to leading a healthy lifestyle and being the best father he can be to his children. Lamar asks that the public please respect his privacy at this time and truly appreciates the love and support of his family, friends and fans. He will talk about his journey in January on The Doctors."

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It was over a year ago in October 2015 that the former Los Angeles Lakers pro was found unconscious at a Nevada brothel after overdosing on drugs, including cocaine. "Virtually every drug imaginable was found in his system," a source told E! News at the time. 

After suffering an "ischemic stroke," he went into a coma and doctors suspected the athlete had brain damage. Khloe Kardashian, who was legally still his wife at the time because a judge has not yet signed off on their divorce papers, became responsible for any and all medical decisions and stayed by his side until he woke up a few days later. By January, he was released from the hospital and entered a private rehabilitation center

The former reality star appeared to have adjusted to life with the Kardashian family, making his first public appearance since his hospitalization at Kanye West's Yeezy Season 3 show the following month. However, his recovery would not be all that seamless. By the spring, he had moved into his own rental, but was spotted visiting bars and was escorted off a flight after reportedly vomiting twice before take-off.  

In July, his family reportedly tried to stage an intervention that he ultimately avoided. It was not until the following December that Odom admitted himself to a rehab facility in San Diego, Calif. just as his renewed divorce from Kardashian was set to be finalized

"It was his own decision. He wanted to work on his mental and physical health for the next chapter of his life," a source shared with E! News. "He has not fallen off the wagon, but he understands the importance of maintaining his sobriety."

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