Inside Lamar Odom's Double Life: How The NBA Star Was Able To Evade Returning A Positive Drug Test — For Years
Aug. 27 2013, Published 5:13 p.m. ET
Drug testers for the NBA took at least six samples from Lamar Odom over the last season -- many of which showed the 33-year-old had been using the powerful painkiller OxyContin – but he wasn’t tossed out of the league because he had a valid prescription, RadarOnline.com has been told.
The husband of reality star Khloe Kardashian allegedly has become addicted to the synthetic form of morphine -- a drug that is considered twice as strong as the narcotic.
His preferred use of the drug, also known as hillbilly heroin, is to smoke it, according to one source.
“Lamar never registered a dirty test over the last two years,” a source close to the NBA told Radar.
The insider added, “Lamar was able to smoke OxyContin and it was detected during several drug tests. But because he had a valid prescription, it wasn't a violation. It allowed him to skate through the system. He knew he could smoke it and get away with it.”
RadarOnline broke the story: Kardashian family members fear Odom, 33, has become hooked on both OxyContin and Ambien, a sedative that is used for the short-term treatment of insomnia.
Some reports have suggested that Odom was using crack cocaine.
However, the high-level NBA source who spoke to RadarOnline.com stated: “If Lamar had been using crack cocaine, or any other illegal drug, it would have been detected during the league’s drug testing routine."
The NBA subjects all players to four random tests each season (from October 1 to June 30) and two random tests each off-season (from July 1 to September 30). All such tests take place without prior notice to the player.
And any failed test for what the league considers “drugs of abuse” -- cocaine, speed, heroin, LSD and the like -- results in instant disqualification from the league.
"If Lamar tested positive for a drug of abuse, he would have immediately been sanctioned and suspended," the source said.
On Monday, Odom rejected intervention attempts by teammates from the Los Angeles Clippers and his former team the Los Angeles Lakers at a Los Angeles hotel.
GALLERY: Dumped, Deceived and Devastated – 50 Stars Betrayed By Their Men
The dramatic talks lasted three hours during which Odom appeared to be under the influence of a substance, a source inside the room said.
"There was a bit of time it appeared that Lamar was going to admit publicly his addiction and go to rehab, again," the source told Radar.
Never Miss an
Daily updates from the heart of Hollywood, right to your inbox
By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you’re agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
"But then, he abruptly bolted from the hotel and left the premises.”
The scandal engulfing his life is the latest twist in two months of headlines detailing how he allegedly cheated on his reality television star wife with two women.
Side-note: Odom does have form when it comes to illicit drug use. In 2001, he was suspended from playing with the Los Angeles Clippers after failing two drug tests after testing positive for marijuana.
