Lamar Odom: A Life Reclaimed
Just a week before the premiere of Netflix’s “Untold: The Death & Life of Lamar Odom” on March 31st, the documentary’s subject himself hadn’t yet seen the film. The two-time NBA champion, whose career was shadowed by a hidden struggle with addiction, is now focused on recovery, approaching 60 days of sobriety as of March 24th. (Odom recently completed a 30-day rehab stay in February, following an arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence the previous month. He has pleaded not guilty, with a bench trial scheduled for July 7th.)
“Every recovering addict knows the importance of distancing oneself from past traumas,” Odom shared with USA TODAY. The 46-year-old, sober since January 28th, embraces the opportunity to share his story, but acknowledges the emotional toll of revisiting painful memories. “It’s like swimming in a cesspool of trauma,” he confessed. “I’m trying to escape it, but the story keeps pulling me back. However, I believe I’m stronger than the situation, and I hope to help others by sharing my experience – not just with addiction, but with life itself, demonstrating that we can all overcome challenges.”
The Night at the Love Ranch
On October 13, 2015, Odom was found unresponsive at the Love Ranch, a brothel located approximately 80 miles outside of Las Vegas. A frantic 9-1-1 call revealed the severity of the situation: “He’s got blood hanging out of his nose, white stuff coming out of his mouth… They can’t get him to wake up.” Odom spent nearly three months recovering at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, defying doctors’ predictions that he might never walk or talk again. He reportedly suffered 12 strokes and six heart attacks during this ordeal.
While reports at the time suggested a cocaine overdose, Odom vehemently denies this claim. “I didn’t have any cocaine to take to the brothel that day,” he insists. “I was upset about finalizing my divorce papers from Khloé Kardashian and, in a moment of weakness, I entertained the idea of indulging in a reckless night. But that wasn’t the reality.” He describes the incident as a “hit,” suggesting someone attempted to harm him.
Khloé Kardashian and the Fight for Life
The documentary reveals that Odom’s lungs collapsed during his hospitalization. Khloé Kardashian shared that his medical team presented a risky surgery option with a mere 10% chance of success. “We got his lungs to work, and he didn’t die. But he fell into a coma,” Kardashian recounts in “Untold.”
The Legacy of Kobe Bryant
Odom credits his former Lakers teammate, the late Kobe Bryant, with helping him make the difficult decision to undergo the life-saving surgery. “He’s been more than a brother to me,” Odom says, visibly moved. “That’s why I have him tattooed on my neck – to keep his guidance with me. Our relationship was special, and I embraced the ‘Mamba Mentality,’ striving to give my best every day.”
Reflections on the Past and Future
Odom admits he hasn’t been in contact with Kardashian since their televised reunion on Hulu’s “The Kardashians” in February 2025. The meeting was described as awkward and tense, with Kardashian responding to Odom’s warmth with reservations stemming from their tumultuous history. “It didn’t really go well,” Odom admits. “I sensed she was on the defensive, but I respect her feelings. I almost felt sorry for her, even though she’s doing well now with her children. I understand the pain I caused her.”
Despite the pain, Odom doesn’t regret his whirlwind romance with Kardashian, which culminated in marriage just 30 days after they met in 2009. “It’s a time I wouldn’t change,” he says. “I would only change my actions. It’s part of my story, my history, and it’s not going anywhere. All I can do now is strive to be the best man I can be for myself, my children (Destiny and Lamar Odom Jr.), and my family.”
You can learn more about addiction recovery resources at SAMHSA’s National Helpline.
