«The coating on the Vicodin and the Valium I’d been taking for years leaves a hole in your stomach, so to avoid a stomachache, I was constantly eating — and eating badly,» he told Men’s Journal in 2015. This website utilizes various technologies that are meant to make it as accessible as possible at all times. You acknowledge that text messaging may involve risks, authorize the use of your Protected Health Information (PHI) for these communications, and understand you can opt-out of text messages at any time by replying “STOP”. His fitness-based approach to sobriety has inspired many to seek alternative ways to heal.
Eminem On Drug Addiction And Recovery
Eminem’s perspective – actively choosing a healthier path and recognizing the benefits – is a powerful antidote to the stigma surrounding recovery. The CDC reports over 107,000 drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2022, highlighting the urgent need for accessible and effective treatment options. «I still put it off and was trying to slow down on my own, like, ‘All right I’m only gonna let myself take two pills today. I’m only gonna drink this much of my bottle and make a mark on the bottle,'» he recalled.
Down the Path of Drug Dependence
He eventually sought help, entering rehab on Dec. 18, 2011. «And it would work a couple days—and then somebody throws a party.» «It wasn’t like I was stumbling around all day,» he admitted. The country star has been sober for nearly a decade, but it was a hard-fought road getting there.
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He replaced drugs with exercise, running up to 17 miles a day, and leaned on support from Elton John and fellow artists like 50 Cent. Eminem was addicted to prescription drugs, including Vicodin, Valium, Ambien, Xanax, and Methadone. Grief-stricken and guilt-ridden over their recent estrangement, Eminem began combining methadone with sleeping pills – a deadly mix that nearly ended his life. From hosting rehab support groups for fellow artists to funding recovery centers in underserved communities, Eminem’s post-addiction activism proves that survival often breeds the most potent forms of mentorship. Eminem’s cultural impact extends far beyond his lyrical prowess – his brutally honest storytelling about drug addiction has become a lifeline for fans grappling with similar demons. Eminem’s account of waking up in the hospital, unable to move and grappling with the aftermath of an accidental overdose, is a chilling reminder of the dangers of prescription drug abuse and the insidious cycle of depression.
«My personal experience with it is that everything is better,» she continued. As she told the New York Times, «That feels like a milestone to me.» The Princess Diaries alum shared in April 2024 that she is more than five years sober. «I discuss it every now and then when it makes sense. I’m 39 years sober. I got sober Feb. 23, 1985.»
The singer acknowledged having an addict’s brain, so he simply recovered by replacing the harmful addiction with a healthier one. When experts started treating him, the heavy methadone dose was already shutting down his organs, including kidneys and livers. Following this, the singer experienced a major setback when he got involved in a major overdose involving methadone.
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But, despite his overwhelmingly successful career, Eminem — like many artists before him — fell into the trappings of drug addiction. He’s known as one of the greatest rappers of all time. At Asana, we offer effective, insurance-covered treatment for addiction and mental health, guided by experts who understand because they’ve been there. Eminem’s journey teaches us that addiction can affect anyone, but recovery is possible with support, discipline, and a willingness to change. His albums Relapse and Recovery were deeply influenced by what was eminem addicted to his struggles with drug addiction. Eminem’s recovery involved rehab, fitness, and therapy.
News, he now sees that sobriety is ultimately a personal choice. «I had what I call a white light experience where I saw myself either dead or losing everything that meant anything to me,» he continued. «I remember reaching a rock bottom that time I was in the house by myself and I had those two bottles of wine and was going for the third bottle,» she said. «I have always been transparent about my journey with addiction,» she wrote on Instagram two weeks later.
The synopsis highlights “stylized recreations, rare archival footage, and intimate interviews,” suggesting a deeply personal and revealing exploration of his life and career. Traditional narratives around addiction often focus on deprivation and struggle. What sets Eminem’s story apart is his reframing of sobriety. Following the overdose, Eminem channeled his experience into his 2009 album, Relapse, but found the response underwhelming. He openly admits to a “vicious cycle” of needing “more pills” to cope with underlying emotional struggles. «Pissed me off to no end and embarrassed me. I’m a pretty strong-willed person but that was the one thing in my life that I couldn’t get to stick.»
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According to the rapper, if he made it to the hospital just two hours later, he would have died from the drug overdose. When people attempted to tell him he had a problem, he didn’t believe them because he was using legally procured drugs, not heroin, cocaine or crack. But this bluntness has helped raise awareness of the real dangers of prescription drugs.
Outpatient Mental Health Facility Address
Today, the rapper is known as an epitome of resilience and hope and a great example of how risky prescription drug abuse can be. During the peak of his career, Eminem continued to battle alcohol and drug addiction while producing award-winning songs. Then, after the 2006 death of his friend and fellow rapper Proof, Eminem said his “addiction went through the fuckin’ roof.” He said he had as many as “10 drug dealers at one time” and was taking “75 to 80 Valiums” a night. As his fame increased, and drugs became more plentiful — especially when he went on tour — Eminem said he started to realize he was battling addiction, but still managed to “keep it on the low and keep it together” as much as possible. «That was the first time I ever realized I had a problem with drugs and alcohol,» Cooper recalled during a 2022 appearance on the Smartless podcast. Barrymore, who previously went to rehab for alcohol and drug addiction, shared in 2021 that she was marking a big milestone in her journey.
When he was better, the rapper tried to mix things up by incorporating Shaun T’s Insanity workout, P90X, and Body Beast into his routine. Too much of anything is not unequivocally healthy. Thus, he turned to running, which gave him a natural high and helped him sleep at the same time.
Inside Eminem’s History With Drugs
Eminem’s first rehab stint in 2008 failed spectacularly – he discharged himself after 72 hours, convinced he could moderate his usage. Bodyguards resorted to hiding his shoes to prevent late-night drug runs, only to find him stumbling through Detroit’s streets barefoot in winter. The months following Proof’s death saw Eminem’s addiction morph into a $5,000-a-week habit involving eight simultaneous dealers.
Eminem’s Sobriety: A Blueprint for Resilience in an Age of Overdose
His lyrics document his near-death experience, withdrawal, and commitment to sobriety. He has spoken openly about the challenges of maintaining sobriety and how exercise and therapy have helped him stay clean. Yes, Eminem’s drug use began in the late 1990s as he struggled with the pressures of fame. These substances played a major role in his downward spiral and nearly cost him his life. Many individuals struggling with addiction, like Eminem, don’t realize the severity of their problem until it’s almost too late.
By the time he left rehab, Eminem weight had ballooned to 230 pounds. It was his kids that inspired him and gave him the strength to triumph over his situation and successfully go through addiction recovery. It happened because the rapper was working long hours with little time to rest. In the 2012 documentary How to Make Money Selling Drugs, the rapper opened up about his struggles with addiction. He even had an overdose that nearly cost him his life. I just really, really liked drugs.
Eventually, channeling his energy back into his music helped the Oscar winner on his sobriety journey. She eventually sought help and noted that «it took some time to get on my own two feet.» «And I’m so grateful because without that opportunity, without their believing me, I wouldn’t be standing here today.» «Unless I was dead, I better show up,» she quipped, adding that she was given «a chance to redirect the course of my life before I destroyed everything.» «I had absolutely no value for myself and this self-destructive path, it very quickly brought me to a real crisis point and it wasn’t clear at the time the reason. Maybe it was divine intervention.» While accepting the 2018 Woman of the Year Award by the Peggy Albrecht Friendly House, a residential program for women recovering from substance and alcohol abuse, Moore spoke about the «self-destructive path» that nearly derailed her career.
- However, it’s precisely this openness that can have a profound impact, normalizing conversations around mental health and addiction and encouraging others to seek help.
- When experts started treating him, the heavy methadone dose was already shutting down his organs, including kidneys and livers.
- Traditional narratives around addiction often focus on deprivation and struggle.
- The «Lose Yourself» rapper reflected on his prior prescription pill abuse in his 2025 documentary Stans, noting an overdose and missing his daughter Hailie Jade’s birthday party prompted a change.
- «I discuss it every now and then when it makes sense. I’m 39 years sober. I got sober Feb. 23, 1985.»
- «To the youth- Stop with these dumb ass drugs,» he began his series of tweets.
- During the peak of his career, Eminem continued to battle alcohol and drug addiction while producing award-winning songs.
- His willingness to share his experiences can help dismantle the barriers that prevent people from seeking treatment.
He knew he needed to lose weight and to find a way to function sober. He says he was awake for three weeks straight, 24 hours a day, and had to relearn how to perform fundamental tasks such as talking and walking, but also that he “could be naturally happy without being on something” and that “It does get better”. Eminem got serious, worked with a rehab counselor and went through a difficult and painful detoxification. In 2007, Eminem suffered a huge setback when he nearly died after overdosing on methadone (as well-documented in his song “Arose” from his recent album Revival and “Deja Vu” from 2009’s Relapse). He began mixing pills, adding Valium, Ambien, and Xanax to the mix.
Senior Editor, NewsJames is an award-winning investigative reporter known for real-time coverage of global events. His openness, coupled with the evolving landscape of recovery resources, offers a beacon of hope for those struggling with similar challenges. We can also anticipate a greater emphasis on preventative measures, focusing on early intervention and mental health education. Digital health technologies, such as telehealth, mobile apps, and virtual reality therapy, are expanding access to care and providing innovative support tools. Furthermore, his journey highlights the importance of addressing the underlying causes of addiction, such as depression and trauma. His willingness to share his experiences can help dismantle the barriers that prevent people from seeking treatment.