Bucks' Vin Baker helps others overcome addiction with recovery center
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- At the height of Vin Baker's NBA career, he was a four-time all-star and Olympian with national commercials.
Publicly, he was living the dream. Privately, it was a nightmare.
"It was simple. If I stayed on the path of addiction I was going to die."
Baker is a recovering alcoholic. At its worst, he was drinking a gallon and a half of Hennessy a day, sometimes drinking or smoking marijuana before games, until his addiction cost him his career and the hundred million dollars that came with it.
"Everything I had earned in basketball had gone away so I had already experienced a spiritual death, the next thing was going to be physically. It was either change, turn my life around and get sober or die. It was that simple."
14 years ago, Vin went into a detox facility for his fourth attempt at sobriety. He hasn't needed a fifth.
"Once you overcome addiction it's the most amazing life that you can possibly have. I feel like I overcame something more serious, tougher than going against Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan. This is life."
After rebuilding his relationships with family and some time working at Starbucks, he earned his way back to a second NBA career. Vin is in his 7th season as an assistant coach with the Bucks. That alone is enough to be a great story. But it's not enough for Vin. The son of a preacher and a youth minister himself, his focus is on helping others.
"I hope that I can save as many lives as possible. I hope as many people that know my story and are suffering from addiction will come and get the help that they need to live life on life's terms."
That's why he helped bring "Vin Baker Recovery" to Milwaukee. An addiction treatment center that can benefit up to one thousand people struggling with substance abuse disorders and other mental health struggles.
"That's why I put the building here. It wasn't to be more famous. I didn't open up a restaurant with my name on it, I opened a building to help people get sober. To live the sober life that I've been blessed with."
"It's Vin! It's Vin Baker! You can't get any better than that. The fact that he understands their conditions and he wants to help. He's adamant that he wants to get out to the community," said Payton-Murphy.
Paulita Payton-Murphy is the executive director at Vin Baker Recovery.
"Every staff member here has had, whether it's our own struggles or family members that have had these same struggles and so we definitely understand. I live in Milwaukee, anyone who walks in this door is my neighbor, I want my neighbors to succeed."
The treatment center offers sessions with counselors, group work as well as medicated assistant treatment and help organizing care.
"Our doors are open for anyone who needs it."
Vin plans to be a hands-on part of the treatment center. Armed with a customized door for his 6-foot-11 frame he has his own office and checks in on patients and groups. So, while the eight-figure paydays are gone. Vin has a new dream.
"I've had the opportunity to win a championship here in Milwaukee, the first in 50 years. If one person comes here and gets sober, it's the most meaningful thing. It's more meaningful than winning a championship, you saved a life."