Shaquille O’Neal Reflects on Painkiller Use: ‘Was I Addicted?’

Shaquille O’Neal has become frank on its use of pain relievers.

Appearing on the episode of Monday, August 11, of The podcast “Chair Expert with Dax Shepard”The former professional basketball player wondered if he was addicted to pain relievers despite his doctor’s concerns.

“So I have a question,” replied O’Neal, 53, after he was asked if he was never concerned about an addiction. “Is” dependence “the chemical effect or do you just take it? I had a lively discussion with my doctors, like “you were addicted”, but I didn’t feel high. “

Shepard, 50, noted that even if O’Neal may not have felt “high”, he may have “just felt the absence of pain”.

“Yes. I didn’t know it was an addiction,” replied O’Neal.

The former NBA star explained that he felt that he “needed to play very well” rather than simply “good”, which was one of the reasons behind him by choosing to take pain relievers so often.

“I don’t think I suffered mentally,” he said. “I think if I had a talent, I would take it because I don’t want to feel this talent because we need this game.”

O’Neal added: “You hear stories …” Oh, he was addicted. I was not that, but I had to have them – so this dependence?

The retired athlete has already talked about his use of pain relievers as well as Other health problems During an interview Gq Magazine in 2022.

“When you play, you go to the doctor to be checked and a physique, right?” But I am not played in 11 years, so if I do not play, why would I be at the doctor, right? ” he said at the exit.

“So, when I went back to the doctor, there were not even things that I did not even know. They give you these words:” Hey guy, you have a sleep. I said, “What?” “You could die. So now I have to sleep with a sleep machine.

He added that the pain relievers and their negative effects on his body also appeared during the appointment with the doctor as a concern.

“Then,” all these pain relievers you take, brother? Your kidneys are a bit weak. More pain relievers. “” Said O’Neal. “I depended on the pain relievers – not addicted. Some days when I couldn’t move, I just jumped one or two, just to move me forward. But I’m out of that now. “

If you or someone you know with drug addiction, contact SUbsance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (Samhsa) National Helpline at 1-800-662-Help (4357).