Former NBA Star Shares Story of Addiction and Recovery

Rosecrance is hosting an event to bring awareness and provide education on substance abuse among athletes. “Game On” will feature Chris Herren, former NBA player; Marc Anderson, LCSW, MGCP; and Dr. Tom Wright, CMO Rosecrance. Attendees will learn how pressure to perform in sports can foster behavioral health problems in young athletes. Event is intended for Athletic Directors, coaches, teachers, counselors, medical professionals, or anyone who works with student athletes.

Chris Herren will discuss his journey from NBA stardom to heroin addiction to recovery. Drug and alcohol-free for seven years, Chris has refocused his career on helping others. Chris formed The Herren Project in 2011 to increase education and public awareness on the dangers of substance abuse. He also wrote about his recovery in the book “Basketball Junkie” and was the subject of the ESPN documentary “Unguarded.”

Marc Anderson is a certified Mental Game Coach who works with athletes on sports performance enhancement. Along with his clinical experience, Mark was also a collegiate athlete and high school coach. He will speak to the culture of an athlete’s life and how the school and community can assist in positive outcomes, including strategies to prevent substance abuse.

Dr. Tom Wright, Rosecrance Chief Medical Officer, will talk about the peer pressure athletes face and what parents can do to prevent substance abuse problems in their family. Dr. Wright has more than 20 years of experience in the field of addictions. He oversees all medical operations for Rosecrance, specializing in working with adolescents who have co-existing or secondary diagnosis in addition to an addiction disorder.

The event is on Thursday, October 8, 2015 at Maggiano’s Little Italy, 1901 E Woodfield Rd in Schaumburg from 8:30 to 12:30. Cost is $25 and includes breakfast and CEUs. To register, go to rosecrance.org/events.