Rick Harrison Reflects on Son Adam’s Tragic Death from Fentanyl Overdose
“Pawn Stars” Figure Opens Up About Loss
Rick Harrison, the well-known personality from Pawn Stars, is sharing his reflections on the loss of his son, Adam Harrison, who passed away at the age of 39.
Adam Harrison’s death in January 2024 was a result of a fentanyl overdose. In a deeply personal interview featured on “In Depth With Graham Bensinger,” available on YouTube from Wednesday, March 20, Harrison, 59, spoke about this devastating event.
Adam Harrison’s Struggle with Addiction
“I think about him every day,” Harrison expressed about his son. He further detailed Adam’s long-term struggle with substance abuse, beginning in his twenties. “In his 20s, he had drug problems. I mean, God, I put him in rehab numerous times, and each time he would do well, only to relapse. It’s a story countless families know. Things became extremely dire, and tragically, it wasn’t heroin, but fentanyl that he consumed. It was fatal.”
A Father’s Grief and Regret
Adam Harrison is survived by his parents, Rick and his former wife Kim, his brothers, Corey and Jake, and his three daughters. Following this devastating overdose, Harrison, famed for creating and starring in the History Channel’s Pawn Stars, has been grappling with regret and “what-if” scenarios.
“The truth is, when you lose a child, you question absolutely everything,” Harrison admitted. “You endlessly think, ‘Could I have done this differently? Could I have tried that?’ It’s a constant cycle in your mind. There isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t think about him.”
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Harrison continued, “I believe I did everything I could. Yet, you still find yourself wondering, ‘What if I had done this? What if I had done that?’ You know? What if I had just taken him, forced him into my vehicle, driven him to Oregon, somewhere he couldn’t access drugs? A hundred thoughts race through your mind. There is no greater pain than losing a child.”
Tough Love and Unforeseen Tragedy
Harrison revealed an incident where Adam had broken into his residence.
“I thought perhaps a brief jail stint, maybe two months, would help him detox, but he immediately went back to using,” he conveyed to Graham Bensinger. “You attempt tough love, but God, you never anticipate an overdose. You want to be firm, but I never imagined this outcome.”
He added poignantly, “It’s incredibly difficult. There’s no instruction manual for raising children. Every child is unique.”
Finding Appreciation and Family Focus
Harrison, proprietor of the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas, shared that he has since learned to “value what you have, because… it’s not guaranteed to last,” he stated. “I dedicate as much time as possible to my children. I speak with all of them on the phone practically every day. I cherish my children, adore my grandchildren. You learn to savor life. I know individuals with significantly more wealth than I possess, and I’m doing alright, who are deeply unhappy.”
Harrison is choosing to embrace optimism. “Life is genuinely enjoyable,” he affirms. “It truly is. Just avoid negative influences and surround yourself with family and friends and appreciate life. It’s not that challenging to find happiness.”
Substance Abuse Help
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please reach out to the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).