Former NBA star Delonte West is celebrating 30 days of sobriety after years of battling drug addiction, homelessness and mental health issues.
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Delonte West is celebrating a major milestone in his recovery journey after being 30 days sober after years of battling addiction and mental health challenges.
The former NBA guard has been documenting his progress on social media, showing he’s healthier and more consistent than he has been in recent years. Video shared online showed West listening to rap music and showing genuine joy for the first time in months.
@cee.jizzle1023 #DelonteWestNBA #WeDoRecover #OneDayAtATime #mentalhealth/addictionkills @Khloe Love💕 ♬ Original Sound – Ceejay1023
West’s road to reaching this milestone has been anything but easy, with his most recent setback occurring on November 3, 2025, when police found him unconscious at an intersection in Fairfax County, Virginia. Police administered naloxone (Narcan) to revive him and then arrested him for public intoxication and obstruction of justice.
The 42-year-old former Boston Celtics rookie has battled bipolar disorder since being diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2008, although he later expressed uncertainty about the condition.
His mental health issues were publicized during his career and continued to impact his life after retiring from professional basketball. West earned approximately $16 million during his nine-season NBA career playing for the Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks and Seattle SuperSonics.
Since leaving the NBA, West has experienced repeated cycles of homelessness and substance abuse, leading to multiple arrests and public incidents.
Previous attempts at intervention by NBA figures including Mark Cuban and former teammates have provided temporary stability but failed to create lasting change. West’s recent recovery has been complicated by controversy surrounding the couple who provided him with housing after his arrest in November.
Social media users accused the pair of exploiting West’s vulnerable condition for attention and potential financial gain, leading to heated debate online about their motives.
One of West’s caregivers responded to the criticism in a video statement, saying they helped him suffer financially but acted out of genuine compassion.
However, West’s current sobriety follows more concerning incidents in recent months, including a video circulating showing him dancing on the side of the road while fans offered him money.
West’s struggles are one of the most heartbreaking post-career trajectories in professional basketball. But mental health challenges and addiction can affect anyone, regardless of their previous success or financial status.
