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In a recent podcast interview, basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal (Shaq), 53, reflected on his use of painkillers and whether he was addicted to them.
The interview follows a candid 2022 GQ Magazine article in which O’Neal describes his use of prescription opioids to manage pain associated with injuries sustained during the course of his long basketball career.
The Dilemma of Being Good vs Being Great
Shaq’s most recent disclosures about his use of prescription opioids were made on an August 11 edition of “Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard.” In the podcast he recalled having a “heated discussion” with his doctors about his use of painkillers. “Is ‘addiction’ the chemical effect or are you just taking it?”
Shaq claimed that he didn’t feel high when using the opioids, and Shepard pointed out that he could have been experiencing “the absence of pain” rather than a high.
In a candid statement, he responded, “Yes. I didn’t know that was addiction.”
O’Neal also opened up about the reasoning behind why he felt the need to take painkillers so often. He explained about his need to play “great” rather than simply “good” which could stem from the high pressures of being an NBA player.
He went on to dive deeper into his mental health, claiming, “I don’t think I was suffering mentally. I think if I had a knack, I would take it because I don’t want to feel that knack because we need this game.”
Addiction or Dependence?
O’Neal also described hearing other people’s experiences of addiction and how that brings up more questions for his own experience with painkillers. He said, “I wasn’t that, but I had to have them—so is that addiction?”
It was during a doctor’s appointment that O’Neal’s use of painkillers came up with concerns about his kidneys. O’Neal stated, “I was dependent upon painkillers—not addicted.” He spoke about taking one or two a day when he couldn’t move and claimed that, “I’m off that now.”
Addiction doesn’t always announce itself loudly. Sometimes, it emerges in a slow, subtle but ever-worsening dependence.
If you think you may be developing an addiction, it’s not too late to turn things around. Rehabs.org makes it easy to find low-cost affordable treatment centers.
In some cases, you may even be able to get free rehab.
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