Six Months In Rehab: Will Lamar Odom Receive Drug Treatment During Stay?

Up to six months in rehab, that’s what Lamar Odom is facing according to Jim Harrick, Odom’s former college basketball coach. Harrick was speaking about the former NBA stars physical rehabilitation, but Harrick admits that Odom is already having drug withdrawals.

Former coach on Lamar Odom: There are withdrawals, depression: https://t.co/7R9af1rowK pic.twitter.com/hy7vXu2MR8

— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) October 26, 2015

In a telephone interview with USA Today Sports, Harrick, who is also a good friend of Lamar’s, expressed how hard it was for everyone to wait and see if he would pull through.

“The big thing is that we don’t feel he is going to die.”

Odom, 35, is rumored to have had a problem with substance abuse for several years. Not only did it affect his marriage to reality star Khloe Kardashian, but is also said to be at least partially to blame for the loss of his career in the NBA. While six months of rehab is necessary for his physical recovery, according to experts, it’s also an effective amount of time for drug rehab in many cases. Harrick’s comments confirm Odom is suffering from his past drug use while hospitalized.

“It is best for him to not have too many people around him at the moment. There are withdrawals, depression. It is difficult.”

Odom could be facing criminal charges from the illegal drug use according to Nye County Sheriff Sharon Wehrly. TMZ reported that Sheriff Wehrly said it was “distinctly possible” he’d be charged if it was proven drugs were in his system. TMZ was told by a source that doctors have already confirmed that there was cocaine in his blood.

While at the brothel, Odom was seen on security video taking a unknown pill from a baggie in his pocket. TMZ reported it was unlikely to be the herbal Viagra sold at the brothel as those come in individual blister packs. If the drug is found to be illegal, it could add to any charges he might face.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UamglYfqHSU

Harrick also told USA Today Sports that Lamar is aware of what happened to him and that he’s suffering from depression because of the incident. Apparently, the depression is so severe that he’s not allowing anyone to visit him at LA’s Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. That information supports the recent actions of his wife, Khloe Kardashian.

The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star had remained by Odom’s side since he was hospitalized in Las Vegas after overdosing on at least herbal Viagra and cocaine at a legal brothel on October 13. He suffered from 12 strokes during the emergency, likely the reason for needing at least six months of rehab to recover. Sometime late last week, Khloe left the hospital and took some personal time to visit her hair stylist for a trim and attend sister Kim Kardashian’s baby shower in Beverly Hills.

https://instagram.com/p/9Raz8TDo8E/?taken-by=kendalljenner

The couple, who had been estranged since 2013, canceled divorce proceedings last week. Khloe isn’t taking any chances, she’s warned Lamar that if he ever does drugs again, she’ll divorce him. Dr. Drew Pinsky, a noted rehab expert, disagrees with the couple renewing their relationship. “You are supposed to not change anything the first year you get sober, but you’re also not supposed to reconcile.” It’s not really known if that’s what they’re doing, simply suspending the proceedings may be just the motivation Odom needs!

Addiction expert Robert Weiss told Hollywood Life that Odom needs to enter residential care after he’s recovered from his physical injuries. Weiss said, “Without this, he will likely end up in the same position again and again.” With the length of time necessary for his recovery, will he still need to go into a treatment facility? It’s doubtful, but every patient is different. Thankfully, Cedars-Sinai has an inpatient drug program so perhaps Lamar can recover from his drug demons while he’s there.

Right now, everyone is just pulling for Lamar to get through this horrible ordeal. “I love him and care about him,” said Harrick. “You can see from the reaction how people feel about him. I just want him to get right and have a long and happy life.”

Do you think Lamar Odom can beat his drug demons during his six months of rehab?