Mike ‘Sugar Bear’ Thompson turns to his friend Lamar Odom for help with his addiction problems.
The 51-year-old reality star has contacted the 43-year-old former Los Angeles Laker to secure a spot at one of his drug and rehabilitation centers. TMZ reported Thursday.
The news comes amid sources claiming Sugar Bear is estranged from his daughter Alana ‘Honey Boo Boo’ Thompson, though it’s unclear if his addiction struggles are related to their issues.
Sugar Bear seeks help after Alana reunited with her mother “Mama” June Shannon for their first hug in “five or six years” in the latest episode of Mama June: Family Crisis.
Sources close to her father told the publication that he contacted Odom over the weekend to inquire about being admitted to one of his treatment centers.
Seeking help: Mike ‘Sugar Bear’ Thompson (L) enters rehab in Kanas owned by Lamar Odom after struggling with addiction issues, TMZ reported Thursday; seen in 2013 with ‘Mama’ June Shannon
Famous Boyfriend: He had befriended Odom after being introduced to him by their manager, and reportedly contacted the former NBA star over the weekend to secure a spot at one of his rehab clinics; seen December 2021 in LA
Thompson, who lives in Georgia, will reportedly check into the closet location of Odom’s growing empire of treatment facilities, the Gold Bridge Treatment Center in Louisburg, Kansas.
He arrives Thursday evening.
Sources claim that Thompson’s addiction battle stemmed from his struggle with diabetes, which has been chronicled on Alana and June’s reality shows.
He has reportedly become addicted to some of the prescription drugs he takes as part of his treatment for diabetes, though it’s unclear what drugs they are or what they were intended for.
The reality fixture has also struggled with “severe anxiety and depression,” which can predispose a person to addiction and substance abuse, or exacerbate conditions. They can also be caused by drug abuse.
Sources said Thompson suffered a setback a month ago when his girlfriend ended their relationship, which has been bothering him ever since.
They also told the publication that Sugar Bear hopes to mend his relationship with his daughter Alana after graduating from rehab.
She famously had a difficult personal experience with addiction after her mother June Shannon became addicted to illegal drugs in recent years amid a self-destructive relationship with her ex-boyfriend Geno Doak.
In May of this year, she spoke exclusively to DailyMail.com to share her regret over the low period when she spent more than $1 million on cocaine.
In thinking about what she would say to herself while at her lowest point with her substance abuse, Mama June said, “Girl, what the hell are you doing spending all that money?”
She continued, “I often say that to my husband [Justin Stroud]. I’d be like, “Man, why the hell did I blow all that money?” I always think of that.
“I think of a lot of things I could do with that money. My husband says all the time that I can’t stop thinking about it.’
The reality star explained that she often has moments where she hates herself for things she did during her darkest days.
“I don’t remember much of that time frame. Just bits and pieces and stuff,” she said. “But the biggest, dumbest thing I’ve done is spend so much money on drugs.”
Professional help: Thompson, who lives in Georgia, will reportedly check into the closet location of Odom’s growing empire of treatment facilities, the Gold Bridge Treatment Center in Louisburg, Kansas (pictured)
Medical problems: Thompson reportedly became addicted to prescription drugs that he took as part of his diabetes treatment. He also struggles with anxiety and depression; seen with Lauryn ‘Pumpkin’ Thompson, Alana ‘Honey Boo Boo’ Thompson and June Shannon in 2015
One parent after another: Thompson also hopes to mend his relationship with his estranged daughter Alana. She’s already struggled with her mother June’s addiction in recent years, though she’s been sober for three years now; seen in 2015 in LA
The TV star proudly stated that she has now made sure she is much better with her earnings, adding, “Now I’m like a penny pincher again and Justin tells me I’m a money hoarder.”
During her addiction, Mama June spent up to $3,000 a day on drugs.
According to the star, she usually snorted cocaine until it damaged her eyesight, after which she switched to smoking crack cocaine.
However, June has been sober for three years since then and documents her attempts to mend her relationship with her daughter on her reality series Mama June: Road To Redemption.