Shaquille O'Neal is getting candid about his use of painkillers.

Appearing on the Monday, August 11 episode of the "Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard" podcast , the former professional basketballer questioned whether he was addicted to painkillers despite his doctor's concerns.

"So, I have a question," O'Neal, 53, responded after he was asked if he was ever concerned about having an addiction. "Is ‘addiction' the chemical effect or are you just taking it? I was having a heated discussion with my doctors, like, ‘You were addicted,' but I didn't feel high."

Shepard, 50, noted that while O'Neal might not have felt "high," he may have "just felt the absence of pain."

"Yes. I didn't know that was addiction," O'Neal replied.

The ex-NBA star explained that he felt he "needed to play grea

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