Jamie Sangouthai Overdoses: Khloe & Lamar Impacted By Tragic Death
August 25, 2015

“Keeping Up with the Kardashians” celebrity, Khloe Kardashian, and former Lakers basketball player, Lamar Odom, lost their best friend, Jamie Sangouthai, who recently died at the age of 37 years old as the result of a reported drug overdose.  He made several appearances on their hit MTV series, “Khloe & Lamar.”

Jamie Sangouthai Drug Overdose

Jamie Sangouthai died of an apparent drug overdose on June 14.  Khloe took to her Twitter account to say, “When does it stop? RIP Jamie Sangouthai.”  Later on, the celebrity put up a cartoon image of a woman crying on her Instagram with the caption, “Life doesn’t get easier but I promise you that life will make you stronger.”

Khloe’s best friend, Malika Haqq, also uploaded a photograph of them together with Lamar and Jamie on her Instagram to mourn Sangouthai’s passing.  In response to the tragedy, she stated, “Thru good and bad times life shows us every spirit matters and leaves a print on the hearts of others after they have passed… RIP Jamie Sangouthai #GodHelpUsAll.”

Jamie’s Relationship with Lamar 

Lamar considered Jamie to be very close with him and even had him as one of his groomsmen in his wedding to Khloe in 2009.  US Magazine heard from a source, “Lamar is beside himself.  This is the worst tragedy.  They were best friends, like brothers.”  However, also according to US Magazine, a source mentioned how Lamar and Jamie had a recent falling out, but that the former Lakers player was still “super sad” over Jamie’s death.  “He feels like it could have happened to him,” the source continued.  “This is a huge wake-up call for him. It has really shaken him.”  Lamar has struggled with drug addiction in the past as well.  A separate source added that the NBA star was taking “this really hard,” which could be a cause for concern.

Khloe and Lamar’s Relationship

Despite Khloe and Lamar’s happy marriage in 2009, they filed for divorce in December 2013.  It was revealed that Lamar had cheated on Khloe and abused drugs.  “I was so obsessed with him in a healthy way,” Khloe spoke about Lamar.  “He was my husband, and I still wish he was, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.”  After Jamie’s overdose, it’s a wonder if the unfortunate tragedy will bring them closer together.

The effects of drug use branch out and end up impacting more people than just the sufferer alone.  Drug overdoses are on the rise in the nation and the death of Jamie Sangouthai clearly demonstrates how drugs have become a public health issue.  Instead of the nation focusing on legal punishment as an effort to derail individuals from using drugs, there should be more focus on providing adequate treatment to help these individuals recover long-term.  It’s a public health concern needing to be addressed so that people don’t have to suffer the ultimate price.  Just as Khloe Kardashian said herself, “When does it stop?”  It can only truly end when the nation comes together and decides to put an end to this stigma by treating substance use disorders like the real illnesses they are.

Do you have a problem with drugs and/or alcohol?  Contact The Addiction Recovery Center today for help.