Drugs & Alcohol

Lamar Odom has finally returned home ... with Khloe Kardashian ... but he remains undecided about seeking treatment for drug addiction, TMZ has learned.

Odom returned to his L.A. pad Monday after going off the grid for several days. Sources tell us both Lamar and Khloe are inside the home and addressing some serious issues, including Lamar's out-of-control crack problem.

We're told there's still no talk of divorce -- and Khloe is determined to help Lamar get his life back on track.

One source tells us Lamar is "open to reason and listening to the people who love him the most" ... a drastic change from a week ago, when L.O. rejected an attempted intervention.

We're told no decision has been made on possible treatment, but Lamar is "receptive."

Lamar seemed to be in good spirits Monday night -- when he was spotted out on a gas run near the home and stopped to pose for a photo with a young fan.

We know ... several of Lamar's NBA friends have tried to reach out to him, but it seems for the most part, L.O. is keeping to himself.

Sean Kingston could've killed somebody last night ... 'cause he got behind the wheel of his Lamborghini after BOOZING, pulled out his cell phone to text and then tore down the Sunset Strip at breakneck speeds.

The 23-year-old hip hop star was leaving Bootsy Bellows nightclub ... when we asked him an easy question about his favorite lyric on the new 2 Chainz album.

Sean's response: "I can't remember man ... too much drinks."

Kingston then got into the driver's seat and pulled out his cell phone -- began playing on it -- and then slammed on the gas, rocketing down the street.

It's unclear if Kingston was joking about the drinking -- but it wouldn't be the first time he's tried to drive on alcohol. Back in June, Sean got out of the driver's seat of his Bentley when he realized he was too drunk to drive.

This time, however, there was no such moment of clarity ... and if he continues to get behind the wheel after boozing, it'll only be a matter of time before someone pays the price for Sean's stupidity.

Chef Gordon Ramsay tells TMZ ... he isn't writing off disgraced "Hell's Kitchen" champ Ja'Nel Witt even after she failed a drug test -- "My door is always open."

We broke the story ... Witt was not allowed to take the job as head chef at Ramsay's Las Vegas restaurant after winning HK earlier this year because she tested positive for cocaine.

But Ramsay says he still believes in Witt's talent ... and yesterday at LAX he told us, "I hope she sorts out her personal issues."

Chalk up ANOTHER victory for Scottie Pippen ... TMZ has learned the retired NBA superstar will NOT be prosecuted for kicking a guy's ass outside of a Malibu sushi joint back in June.

The L.A. County D.A. determined there was simply not enough evidence to prove Scottie did anything wrong during a confrontation with 49-year-old Camran Shafighi outside of Nobu on June 23.

According to official documents, obtained by TMZ, Pippen -- who's now represented by mega-attorney Mark Geragos -- admitted pushing and spitting at Shafighi but officials determined it was impossible to tell if Pippen was the aggressor or if he was acting in self-defense.

Plus, officials concluded the victim was FAKING multiple injuries -- and even faked seizures -- in an effort to make Pippen look like the bad guy.

According to the document, doctors believe Shafighi's injuries were minor at best and included a cut to his lip and a bruised chin.

TMZ broke the story ... the two scuffled in the parking lot of the restaurant after Scottie refused to pose for a SECOND picture with Shafighi.

Officials claim Shafighi was extremely intoxicated at the time of the confrontation (.18 blood alcohol level) ... and also tested positive for opiates.

Shafighi can still go after Pippen in civil court -- he's already filed a $4 million suit -- but this is a pretty big blow to his case.

John Pinette -- best known for his role as the fat guy who got mugged in the "Seinfeld" finale -- has checked himself into rehab after becoming addicted to prescription medication ... TMZ has learned.

A rep for the venue in Canada where John was set to perform in next month says Pinette had to postpone the gig because he was checking into a rehab facility for his addiction.

The rep says John -- who also had his own Comedy Central special in 2011 -- underwent surgery earlier this year and got hooked to the prescription medication he was taking.

John has since tweeted to his fans about the situation -- saying, "Thanks to everyone for your concern and well wishes.. Want to apologize for having missed shows last weekend, but I hope you understand!"

In case you're not a "Seinfeld" fan (WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?!?) ... Here's his famous scene from the super disappointing finale.

At least the reunion on "Curb Your Enthusiasm" kinda-sorta-not-really made up for it.

Too Short won't be locked away after trying to run from cops during his crazy DUI arrest ... after cutting the SWEETEST deal of all time, TMZ has learned.

TMZ broke the story ... Too Short was popped in L.A. back in March on suspicion of DUI -- but during the arrest stupidly fled from cops. He was chased down and taken to jail, where cops say they found Ecstasy in the back of the police cruiser. Short denied it was his.

The rapper was slapped with SEVEN different charges, including: resisting arrest, DUI with .08 BAC or higher and possession of MDMA (Ecstasy).

Tuesday, Short's lawyer Keith Davidson did the impossible ... Short pled no contest to driving with a BAC of .08 or higher and in exchange, all the other charges were DISMISSED. Yeah.

It's not uncommon for first time offenders to get off easy -- but Short's deal is really incredible because he has multiple prior DUI arrests.

As for punishment ... Short was sentenced to 3 years probation, fines and alcohol education classes.

Looks like someone's lawyer is getting a gift basket.

Khloe Kardashian hasn't given up on her marriage to Lamar Odom ... at least publicly ... because she's still wearing her wedding ring.

Khloe was on her way out of a medical building in L.A. Monday when the photo was taken -- and while it's obvious she was trying to hide her face, she was clearly NOT trying to hide her symbolic commitment to her husband.

Lamar Odom was deep into drugs while he was playing for the Dallas Mavericks and there is evidence he was doing the exact same thing while playing for the Lakers ... TMZ has learned.

Sources connected to a Westin hotel in Memphis tell TMZ ... in March of 2012, shortly before Lamar was cut from the Mavs, he stayed in one of the guest rooms while his team was in town playing the Grizzlies.

Our sources say when Lamar left, hotel employees found major carpet damage ... including quarter-sized burn marks. The damage was so bad, the hotel had to replace the carpeting in the room.

Our sources say hotel employees also found white powder on the desk blotter and the room reeked of noxious smoke. Our sources say it was obvious there was serious drug use going on in the hotel room.

The Westin is one of numerous hotels where NBA players stay when they're on the road. TMZ has contacted a number of these hotels in various cities. We've learned from several hotel employees ... they had complained about the state of the rooms when Lamar left -- similar to what happened in Memphis -- and this was while he was playing for the Lakers.

Our sources say no one on the Mavs knew Lamar was a substance abuser while he was on the team, but everyone knew something was seriously wrong with him.

We're told that during at least part of the time he was playing for the Mavs, Lamar was smoking Oxycontin and cocaine.

Odom's problems were so severe, he was cut from the Mavs mid-season and paid in full just so he would go away.

TMZ broke the story ... the drug use escalated to crack -- and we're told Lamar's level of crack use is now alarming and life-threatening.

NEWSFLASH: holding up a copy of the U.S. Constitution in a cop's face will NOT stop him from arresting you -- at least that's what one of 2 Chainz' entourage members learned last week, shortly before he and the rapper got busted.

As we reported, 2 Chainz and ten other people on his tour bus were all arrested last week following a concert in Oklahoma City ... after police accused them of smoking weed on board.

You'll recall, cops pulled over 2 Chainz' bus because of a busted taillight, but upon approaching the vehicle ... cops say they smelled pot and attempted to search the bus.

But the driver refused to let cops on board -- and according to the police affidavit which was just released, one of the bus' passengers actually held a physical copy of the U.S. Constitution against the bus window ... "as if challenging officers" with his civil rights.

Fact is: the police DID have probable cause to enter the bus because they smelled pot and saw smoke inside ... but the rapper and his entourage decided to assert their non-existent civil liberties anyway.

In the end, officers towed 2 Chainz' bus and its passengers to a police lot -- where it sat for hours while cops obtained a search warrant -- and everyone was eventually arrested, 2 Chainz included.

The United States Constitution ... it doesn't work that way.

Lamar Odom is wearing the stress of his marriage -- and possibly his NBA career -- falling apart as he battles addiction to hardcore drugs ... and TMZ has the first photos of him in several days.

Lamar's face looked gaunt when he was spotted Monday afternoon driving his SUV around the San Fernando Valley ... not far from his home with Khloe Kardashian.

As TMZ first reported ...Khloe kicked Odom out of the house last Wednesday when he rejected her attempt to stage an intervention -- hoping to convince him to get treatment for his addiction to crack cocaine.

But 2 interesting signs from Lamar's outing Monday -- he was still wearing his wedding ring ... and he was spotted driving into the gated community where he and Khloe live.

Lamar Odom will remain a free agent -- at least for now -- because the L.A. Clippers refused to re-sign him in light of his abuse of drugs, including crack cocaine ... TMZ has learned.

NBA sources tell TMZ, team officials really wanted to re-sign Lamar over the summer after he performed well last season, but he was nearly impossible to reach ... and they couldn't make progress on contract discussions.

We're told the Clippers were STILL interested despite Lamar's flaky behavior, but after news broke about the NBA star's issues with drug addiction ... the team closed the book on a new deal, permanently.

Khloe Kardashian has met with Lamar Odom ... and she is desperately trying to save his life -- TMZ has learned.

Sources familiar with the situation tell us, Khloe found Lamar and drove to see him at an undisclosed location.

As TMZ first reported ... Lamar has plunged into the dark world of crack cocaine and Khloe effectively separated from him after throwing him out of the house last Wednesday when he rejected a family intervention.

We're told Khloe has not given up on Lamar although she says she will never get back with him until he's clean. On the other hand, we've learned she has taken no steps to file for divorce because she believes there's still a chance Lamar can be saved.

We do not know how Lamar has received Khloe's latest plea.

Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom are separated, but neither has taken any step toward divorce ... sources tell TMZ.

Multiple sources familar with the situation tell us Khloe "effectively" declared separation when she threw Lamar out of the house Wednesday, after he refused her attempt at an intervention. TMZ broke the story ... Lamar has had a crack addiction problem for at least 2 years, and Khloe simply couldn't take it anymore.

We're told Khloe made it clear if Lamar did not get help -- the point of the intervention -- she wanted nothing to do with him anymore.

But we are also told neither Khloe nor Lamar has consulted a divorce lawyer ... at least not yet.

If and when they do file for divorce -- which we're told is likely -- there won't be much to fight over. Sources connected with the Kardashians tell us the couple signed a hard-fought prenup before they married.

We're told Kris Jenner was right in the middle of the prenup battle because she wanted to protect her daughter -- who tied the knot after a 4-week courtship.

Short story ... the fat lady hasn't sung yet, but she's warming up.

Khloe Kardashian kept Lamar Odom's crack addiction secret from her entire family for most of her marriage ... TMZ has learned.

Sources connected to the family tell us ... Khloe did not want to burden her family and jeopardize the Kardashian machine by telling the brood about Lamar's drug issues. We're told Kourtney and Kim Kardashian learned of Lamar's addiction "very recently."

We're told Kris Jenner has known about it for a longer period of time, but was still kept in the dark for many months.

Our sources say even when Khloe reached out for professional help -- for example hiring private investigators to follow Lamar -- she lied about the extent of the addiction. Our sources say Khloe told private investigators Lamar was addicted to "performance enhancing drugs" and that's why she needed their help. She never played the crack card.

When stories started to surface about Lamar sleeping with other women ... and the family started asking questions ... Khloe felt she needed to reveal the real issue. As one source put it, "Khloe was a real trooper. She's been living a nightmare."

The NBA is a "brotherhood" ... and its members will rally to support players like Lamar Odom through good times and bad ... so says Kevin Durant.

Durant was leaving DeMatha High School in Maryland after playing in a Goodman League charity game (he dropped 40 btw) ... when we asked about Odom, who's currently struggling with issues stemming from an addiction to crack cocaine.

Durant made it clear L.O. can count on his fellow players to have his back.

NBA superstar John Wall was also in attendance (though he didn't play in the game) ... and told us he's also rooting for Lamar.

"I just hope he figures it out. That's it."

This is just beyond ... but turns out Reese Witherspoon's rant during her Atlanta arrest could have been an audition for "Breaking Bad" -- because it's a damn good imitation of a scene where Walter White gets busted.

Way back in Season 3 ... Bryan Cranston's meth-cooking chem teacher character got pulled over for a shattered windshield, and went off on the officer saying ... "This is America and I have rights," and ... "Pepper spray the man who's expressing his opinion under the 1st Amendment!!"

Sound familiar?

Watch the 'BB' scene and Reese's infamous verbal eruption where, for starters, she said, "I'm allowed to stand on American ground and ask any question I want to ask."