Former MLB star Darryl Strawberry spoke with TMZ and expressed a desire to help former NBA player Delonte West with his addiction.
Strawberry, 58, has struggled with alcohol and cocaine addiction and knows firsthand how hard it can be to get clean. After years of addiction, Strawberry currently has substantial clean time under his belt.
Strawberry has dedicated his life to helping others with addiction struggles and runs Strawberry Ministries with his wife, Tracy.
West, 37, was reportedly using drugs and living on the streets. But he entered rehab last week with the help of Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.
“Delonte West is just like anyone else that probably has some deep-rooted issues that have never been dealt with, ya know? Putting on a basketball uniform and being successful, that just covers up everything that happens to a person,” the former baseball star said to TMZ.
“It reflects back to when he was probably young somewhere, some kinda trauma, abuse, or something affected him, and it can leave you crippled and paralyzed,” he continued. “So, no one signs up to be in that situation he is. I didn’t sign up to be in that situation.”
“Mental illness is real. We should never joke about that; we should never laugh about that. We need to meet him right where he’s at. And love him.”
When asked if he would reach out to West, Strawberry said, “I would love to help him.”
As the conversation continued, Strawberry offered some advice for West: Don’t let yes people in your circle, deal with the problem head-on, and change the behavior.
“If there’s anything I can ever do to encourage him and sit down and have a talk with him, I just hope he can reach out and do that,” he concluded.
In the meantime, sources tell TMZ that West is “doing ok” so far in his recovery. Although he is currently in the detox phase, which is known to be the most difficult for those dealing with addiction, sources say he’s “roughing it out.”
After the first phase of detoxing West’s body, the former baller will move to a new location, work on his mental health, and enroll in long term sobriety programs.
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