Chapman Sharing Journey of Recovery

This article by Joseph Russell was published in the Messenger-Inquirer on April 10, 2018. Chapman sharing journey of recovery BY JOSEPH RUSSELL Messenger-Inquirer Photo submitted Former UK basketball star and Owensboro native, Rex Chapman, will be in Evansville on Tuesday, April 10 to speak about his journey to recovery from addiction. With his own life back on track, Rex Chapman wants to help others avoid the same mistakes he once made. Chapman, who has battled prescription pain pill addiction off and on for nearly 20 years, will be sharing his story of recovery Tuesday night in Evansville. The event is free and open to the public. "It's not my favorite thing to do, but I make myself," the former Apollo High School and University of Kentucky basketball star said by telephone. "I know when you're going through a tough time -- for me, anyways -- there were several people I can think of that said things to me that made sense, that inspired me to want to get healthy again. "I feel like by doing it, it can help people. It helps keep me honest, as well." Chapman, who played 12 seasons in the NBA after two seasons at UK, had multiple injuries and surgeries over the years that eventually led to his addiction. That all culminated in September 2014, when Chapman entered a substance-abuse rehabilitation program in Louisville following his arrest for shoplifting in Scottsdale, Ariz. Chapman said he's been clean ever since. The 50-year-old has been outspoken about the opioid crisis in Kentucky and the surrounding region, having experienced it firsthand. "I think we have to help people who are addicted," Chapman said. "We don't have enough beds (in treatment facilities) for these people. The laws we have right now, they're not capable with keeping up with the supply that we have of addicts in this state." According to the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy, the state recorded 1,404 overdose deaths stemming from opioid abuse in 2016. That number was up from the 1,248 overdose deaths reported the year before. "We have an epidemic that's killing more than 100 people a day in this country, about five a day in this state," Chapman said. "I'm just hoping to make a little bit of a difference. "I have people that come up to me now and they'll say 'My dad was at such-and-such place two years ago and you spoke,' and these people are just so happy that their loved one's alive. That makes me feel good, that people are digging out of it." In the meantime, Chapman has found stability in his life. He often guest commentates on Kentucky basketball broadcasts and is frequently invited to appear on NBA TV programming. "Somehow people pay me to talk about basketball," he said, laughing. "To me, it beats working. I'm fortunate, very fortunate that the University of Kentucky and the people here in the state have always been great to me. My NBA family has, as well." Being in Lexington also gave Chapman the chance to see Apollo make its run to the KHSAA Boys' Basketball Sweet 16 this past season. "It was awesome," he said. "I grew up watching (Apollo coach) Steve Barker play. He was one of my first basketball heroes, him and Jeff Jones in 1978. It was thrilling." Tuesday's event is hosted by 7 Sisters, a group of seven women who have lost siblings to an opioid-related death. Chapman will speak at the University of Southern Indiana Sports Management Club Room UC 2217-2218 beginning at 7:30 p.m. A question-and-answer portion will follow at 8. .

Load more