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Few NBA names are as recognizable as Dennis Rodman’s. Since catching his first break with the Detroit Pistons, the star athlete rose to prominence due to his rebounding prowess and eccentric personality. While playing for the Chicago Bulls alongside Michael Jordan, Rodman helped secure three NBA championships out of the five he won throughout his 14 seasons. But behind the glitz and glory, Rodman’s been battling mental health issues and alcohol addiction – a reminder that these challenges are just as prevalent among the rich and talented.
Dennis Rodman’s Rise to Stardom
Dennis Rodman grew up in a challenging environment and experienced homelessness following his high school graduation. Despite basketball not being a childhood dream, his height and athletic ability earned him a scholarship to Southeastern Oklahoma State University. He had a successful college basketball career before being drafted into the NBA in 1986.
Wanting to stand out, Rodman focused all his efforts on defense, which paid off. His athletic career was nothing short of spectacular. During a 14-season run as a power forward, the 6 feet 7 inches tall athlete won the Defensive Player of the Year award twice and led the league in rebounds for seven straight seasons – setting one impressive record. Thanks to his accomplishments, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011.
His personal life (highlights include dating Maddona, marrying Carmen Electra, and authoring several memoirs) made as many headlines as his sports achievements. His flamboyant dress style, hair colors, and eccentricity contributed to Rodman’s reputation as one of basketball’s most outlandish professional players.
Early Signs of Depression
From the outside, Dennis Rodman was living a charmed existence. But the spotlight didn’t erase the pain from his past. In a candid 2019 interview with Bleacher Report, the NBA star recalls one of his darkest moments – a highly publicized suicide attempt in the early 1990s.
Reflecting on the incident, Rodman believes it happened because he longed for acceptance. As a child, he recalls his parents seldom being around. After his father abandoned the family, Rodman’s mother had to hold down up to three jobs to make ends meet.
Joining the Detroit Pistons and starting his NBA career gave him that sense of belonging he lacked as a child. But once the team’s structure started changing and his beloved coach, Chuck Daly, left, Rodman felt “betrayed” by the sport’s business side. “I had nobody to turn to. I wasn’t really connecting with my mother or father. I had no contact with them,” he explained.
On the night of the incident, the athlete found himself sitting inside his truck in a parking lot. He’d written a note and held a gun, debating whether to end his life. Listening to Pearl Jam tunes calmed his mind, and Rodman fell asleep with the gun still in his lap. Soon after, first responders came and helped him out of the car. Rodman said his motivations weren’t related to “the game of basketball.” It ran much deeper: “I wasn’t trying to get attention. I needed help at the time. I didn’t want to go on. I thought that I was abandoned.”
Society’s understanding of mental health has come a long way since the 1990s. People today, including high-profile celebrities, are more likely to discuss issues like depression and anxiety. Being among the first public figures to do so, Rodman helped pave the way toward destigmatizing these issues. “I was one of the few players back then who were opening the door to that, that an NBA player is a human too,” he said.
A Long-Term Battle with Alcoholism
Over the years, a well-documented pattern of alcohol use disorder emerged. In a recent interview, Rodman pinpointed the start of his downward spiral with losing his NBA career. Lacking the structure of being a professional player, the retired athlete spent all his time partying. Rodman recalls that period as having been exceptionally turbulent. According to him, there were even sports bars in Las Vegas where patrons could place bets on the likelihood of his death from alcohol abuse.
The constant drinking led to a long list of legal troubles, including several DUI charges and hit-and-run incidents. The athlete spent time in treatment facilities for his alcohol addiction and was even the subject of a public intervention in the aftermath of his appearance on Celebrity Apprentice. In 2014, Rodman checked himself into a treatment facility after returning from a controversial trip to North Korea.
In 2018, he had his most recent rehab stint after being charged with yet another DUI in California. The athlete admitted to relapsing since his time in the treatment center, but he never stopped fighting for his sobriety. “It’s up to me if I want to do it for the rest of my life,” he said, per LB Sports. “It’s a long process and it’s going to take time to get over the hump.”
Dennis Rodman’s alcohol use didn’t just attract legal issues but also ruptured his relationship with his now-adult children. The athlete has talked about wanting to reconnect with them and hopefully make amends.
After years of struggling to maintain sobriety, Rodman seems to have found a more rewarding path. When asked about his plans for the future, he said: “I’m not going to self-destruct like I was back then – 10, 15 years ago. […] I got my life in control right now. Everything is going in the right direction.”
The Pressures of Celebrity
As a five-time NBA champion, Dennis Rodman was under intense public scrutiny. Every arrest and less-than-ideal decision would become the topic of media speculation. Fame can bring pressure and isolation, causing celebrities to hide their struggles. Constant public attention can be overwhelming. They may worry about how every decision’s potential to harm their reputation.
Privacy becomes a rare luxury, and demanding travel schedules can isolate them from close friends and family. That’s why it’s not uncommon for people in the public eye to use unhealthy coping tools like drugs and alcohol. Rodman is not the only celebrity who turned to substances to cope with stress or isolation. But his openness about these challenges showed the world there’s no shame in asking for help.
Rodman’s Legacy in Destigmatizing Mental Health
Rodman acknowledges the significant progress made in mental health resources over the past few decades: “I think it’s really different today. There are so many outlets and so many open doors that you can go through and reach out for help.”
However, mental health is still stigmatized, and the issue is still as prevalent as ever. According to the 2023 State of Mental Health in America Report, mental illness affects more than 1 in 5 people, while 15 percent of Americans reported struggling with addiction. Most are not receiving treatment, partly due to the stigma attached.
Recovery is not always linear, and Rodman’s story shows that. He experienced several low points in his life but continued working on his mental well-being and sobriety. Due to his willingness to open up about his often challenging journey, Rodman could inspire others who may still hesitate to seek help.
When asked by the Bleacher Report about his legacy, Rodman responded: “That’s what I want people to remember about me. No matter who you are, what you do or where you came from, I was a person that cared about everybody.”
Getting the Support You Need
Despite the ups and downs, Dennis Rodman isn’t defined by his setbacks, and neither are you. The compassionate team at FHE Health can help you address any mental health challenges holding you back. Get in touch today and learn about our treatment approaches and rehab programs.
