Through his own battle with opiate addiction, former professional basketball star Chris Herren has found a way to help others like himself. The 36-year-old New England native founded The Herren Project to assist individuals and their families that are struggling with substance abuse.

According to a recent news article, in just a year the foundation has connected with several treatment centers to help individuals that can benefit from an extended care situation but are unable to because of their finances.

The program focuses not only on the individual’s treatment but the effects substance abuse has on the family unit. Herron says he was fortunate enough to overcome his opiate addiction because of the support he received from his wife and children. He hopes his foundation can put a focus on more than the face of an addict and that of the children and spouses that are standing by.

His own pain of a very public arrest took a toll on his family and through The Herron Project he hopes to help other addicts rebuild healthy relationships with their families. While the project isn’t prepared to fund those in need of 30 day treatments for $20,000, a counselor recommended sober house would be possible.

The idea to pay it forward came from Herron’s own story. During the 2008 NBA season, and while battling his addiction, Herren found a helping hand from Chris Mullin, an NBA hall of famer. Mullin had also overcome his own addiction with alcohol during his time on the court.

Mullin helped Herron find a treatment facility, Daytop Village, that same year. After his initial treatment, Herron went on to an after care facility with Gosnold, a Massachusetts-based organization.

The story of Herron’s addiction has been the topic of a recent book “Basketball Junkie” and even the ESPN documentary titled “Unguarded”. In addition to his substance abuse treatment program Herren has turned his efforts back to what started it all. He has started a basketball training academy.