Former Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs was an opioid addict for years before his death, psychiatrist testifies

"While those around Skaggs including family, his agent, fellow players and Angels staff didn't see any obvious outward signs of addiction during Skaggs' time with the organization, Dr. Elie Aoun testified that many people with addictions remain high functioning. RELATED: Skaggs' widow questioned during testimony about Angels pitcher's potential drug use at own wedding, texts calling him a liar Not everyone with an addiction is going to be a homeless person under a bridge shooting heroin, said Dr. Aoun, a psychiatrist and Columbia University professor who testified as an expert on behalf of the Angels. Many people with addictions are under the radar."

"Eric Smith, a teammate of Skaggs when both were in the Arizona Diamondbacks system, has described using opioids with Skaggs as far back in 2011. And a photo from 2012 found in Skaggs' phone depicted what appeared to be a snorting straw next to a line of white powder. Dr. Aoun testified that Skaggs met the diagnostic criteria for severe opioid use disorder in 2013, and showed signs of that addiction until he died in 2019."

"In a 2013 text to another player, Skaggs wrote I ran out of pain pills you know anyone with them, adding Plus I'm pitching today (expletive) me. Aoun said that showed how Skaggs use of opioids was impacting his job. He felt he could not work unless he was using, the doctor testified. Later in 2013, Skaggs told his family as well as his agent that he had issues with Percocet and sought treatment with a family doctor."

Dr. Elie Aoun testified that Skaggs was an opioid addict for at least six years prior to his 2019 death and met criteria for severe opioid use disorder in 2013. Skaggs often remained high-functioning while addicted, and his habit of crushing and snorting opioid pills produced a quicker, more intense high, leading Aoun to describe him as an advanced drug user. Teammate Eric Smith recounted opioid use with Skaggs as early as 2011, and a 2012 phone photo suggested snorting paraphernalia. A 2013 text indicated Skaggs felt he could not pitch without pain pills, and he told family and his agent he had Percocet problems and sought treatment but failed to follow recommendations.

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