Substance abuse and addiction are something that does not discriminate. They do not care how much money or fame you have. They don’t care about your age, race, religion, social background, or gender. Over the years we have seen so many people fall due to the grips of addiction and ultimately lose their lives. When athletes abuse drugs and alcohol they are at the same risk for developing addiction just like everyone else. Far too often that addiction leads to an untimely death.
Jarred Rome Tied to Drug Abuse
Jarred Rome is a former Olympic athlete who competed as a US discus champion and participated n the Olympics in Athens in 2004 and London in 2012. At age 42 he was found dead in his hotel room on September 21, 2019. According to the medical examiner, he dies of a Fentanyl overdose. After being inducted into a hall of fame in his hometown, he went out with friends and family where he complained he was not feeling well, and went back to his room where he was later found dead early in the morning.
Bryce Beekman Fatally Overdosed
Beekman was a Washington State football player and played as a senior starting safety. While the death was accidental, it was the result of acute intoxication of 2 different drugs. His death was a result of combining fentanyl, a very strong pain reliever, and promethazine, which is typically used for the relief of allergic reactions. He died on March 23, 2019, at 22 years old. Police report a call coming from his home at around 5:45 pm noting the football player was suffering from breathing problems. Upon arrival, police found Beekman already dead.
Derek “The Boogeyman” Boogaard Struggled With Addiction
Boogaard was a famous ice hockey player who played for the NHL on teams Minnesota Wild and the New York Rangers. The hockey player dies at the age of 28 after suffering from addiction after brain trauma from playing hockey and being prescribed large amounts of pain killers for his injuries. He ended up dying on May 13, 2011, from an accidental overdose from a mix of alcohol and painkillers. A brain study showed he was suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy due to his injuries.
Tyler Skaggs Overdosed and Substance Abuse
Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs died suddenly at 27 years old after he suffocated from his vomit from a mix of alcohol and the painkillers fentanyl and oxycodone. He died on July 1, 2019. There is still much mystery surrounding his death at this time and what lead to the painkiller and alcohol abuse.
Lamar Odom Almost Died Because of Drugs
While Odom did not die as a result of his drug abuse, his story is worth mentioning due to the seriousness of his story. In October of 2015, Odom ended up suffering from multiple heart attacks and strokes after taking an alarming amount of cocaine and alcohol. This left him in a coma for 3 days in the hospital. Odom was found facedown and unresponsive in a brothel in Nevada. It is said that at the time Odom’s chances of survival during his coma were 50/50.
Addiction Can Happen to Anyone
These few examples just prove that anyone can suffer from substance abuse issues. Most of the time the addiction starts innocently by treating an injury or pain, but it can turn ugly quickly. Dying tragically from a drug overdose does not need to be the end for you. If you or someone you love is ready to get the help that you need, Evoke Wellness at Cohasset can help you get your life back on track. Now is the time to make the change. We want to help you do it!
