Eminem Details Past Overdose, Addiction Struggles in New Documentary

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Eminem’sability to lose himself in his addiction prompted a major change.

In his recent film titled “Stans“, the rapper known as “Mockingbird” shared insights about his previous struggle with prescription drug addiction. This battle began in the late ‘90s and continued until approximately 2008, involving drugs such as Vicodin, Valium, Ambien, and Xanax. This prolonged usage led to a critical health emergency.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase it like this: “I found myself trapped in a harmful pattern, ‘Feeling low requires medication,’ as Eminem shared in the documentary, according to Us Weekly. Over time, my body became accustomed to the drugs, leading me to unknowingly overdose. I regained consciousness in a hospital, surrounded by medical equipment and feeling weak, yearning to move but unable.

In simpler terms, the 52-year-old, known as Marshall Mathers, mentioned that upon returning home, he had a strong feeling of needing something significant and feared that he might even pass away if he didn’t bring about a change.

In a heartbreaking turn of events, I found myself at a crossroads when I missed my ex-wife Kim Scott’s daughter Hailie Jade’s birthday party – she’s 29 now. This emotional absence served as a wake-up call, pushing me to confront my addiction head-on, not just for my health, but also to be present in the lives of those I hold dear.

I was deeply moved and exclaimed, ‘Oh my goodness, I missed that!’ continued Eminem. “I repeatedly asked myself, ‘Do you want to miss this opportunity again? Do you want to miss out on everything? If you can’t push yourself forward for your own sake, then do it for them.’

As a result, he recalled, “I realized I’m never doing this again.”

Eminem, known for his “Lose Yourself” hit, has been sober for 17 years now. However, at the start of his recovery, he shared that he essentially had to learn anew how to walk, speak, and even rap again due to his substance abuse.

He remarked that his writing had significantly deteriorated, but as he began to regain his skill, it became an exhilarating experience. This was because he could engage in meaningful dialogues, whether with people or the television.

Eminem, who is the father of Alaina (age 32) and Stevie (also 32) with Kim, stated that the emotions were hitting him rapidly, causing him to write songs at a rapid pace as well.

During the production of his 2009 album Relapse, which chronicles his journey with sobriety, he found strength in overcoming his addiction.

Eminem clarified that the action led to turning on the light, symbolizing his newfound confidence. He shared that he’s no longer ashamed about being sober. Instead, he began viewing sobriety as a powerful ability, taking great pride in having overcome addiction.

Read on for more stars who have gotten candid about their struggles with addiction. 

After the Backstreet Boys member relapsed in 2021, he noted he “got sober again for the last time.”

He shared with People magazine in July 2025 that he was persisting with this journey. It’s an ongoing process, but he’s made a change that has been advised within the sober community, and his life has significantly improved for the better.

While AJ acknowledged he is “still learning, still growing,” he’s now confident in who he is.

He went on to say that he’s recently come across new ways of expressing himself, specifically the concept of boundaries, which he hadn’t previously recognized. Now that he does, it’s been a positive development for him. AJ represents a part of his identity within a group, but he is not solely defined by AJ. Instead, Alexander James is who he truly is as an individual.

Last October, the actor famous for American Pie shared on Instagram that he had been sober for a full year, expressing joy and encouragement in his post.

He shared that his struggle with alcohol and drug addiction started over five years ago, when the burden of his excessive consumption became unbearable for him. He admitted then that quitting was challenging, saying ‘it turns out this process is tough’.

He went on to say, “After some ups and downs, I have achieved a full year of being sober. This accomplishment ranks high among my life’s achievements. To those who are facing similar struggles, remember there is always help available. Don’t let embarrassment hold you back. Together, we can overcome this.

In time, he looked back at his experience with substance abuse and the great measures he took to conceal his battle.

He shared on his wife Jenny Mollen’s All the Fails podcast in March 2024, that he was attending therapy and making progress, but following a productive session, he decided to leave therapy. Instead, he went to the liquor store, purchased a bottle of vodka, consumed it, and then drove home. He admitted that he knew how to drink enough to become intoxicated, thus removing himself from his current circumstances and avoiding feelings by disconnecting.

He mentioned, “I had everything planned perfectly. I made sure not to drink so much that I couldn’t talk to you. In fact, I was frequently replenishing the bottles at the bar.

 

The twice-crowned champion of the FIFA Women’s World Cup has been forthright about her improper use of Adderall during her collegiate soccer years, as she dealt with injuries.

During a 2025 episode of the ‘Question Everything with Danielle Robay’ podcast, she admitted that she had developed an intense dependence on Adderall and was abusing it excessively. She confessed to taking it frequently, sometimes going without sleep for extended periods. She described her behavior as reckless, stating that she felt like she was putting herself at risk of a heart attack. She also mentioned snorting the medication, emphasizing the severity of the problem.

However, in the midst of her struggle, her college coach Anson Dorrance was there to support her.

She shared that the surroundings became extremely dim, necessitating significant changes, to which Anson recommended books. One of these books was titled “Man’s Search for Meaning” and it delves into the topic of enduring hardships and transforming them, significantly impacting her life.

The Valley star shared his decades-long battle with drugs in March 2025 after going to rehab.

During a recent episode of Bravo’s Hot Mic podcast on March 4, Jax confessed that he struggles with addiction. He admitted he has a problem with substances, particularly cocaine, and finding the courage to speak about it openly is challenging for him.

He’s been facing this issue intermittently since he turned 23, and now at the age of 45, he shared that there have been periods when he stopped dealing with it, only to find himself intensifying his efforts again.

Apart from quitting cocaine, Jax has decided to abstain from alcohol as well. He stated, “I don’t necessarily believe I have an alcohol problem, but they tend to go together for me. I find it hard to use cocaine without drinking first. Therefore, I chose to quit both substances. I am happy to announce that I am currently 82, 83 days sober, which is the longest stretch I’ve ever had in my life without either.

In 2022, the actor who plays Spider-Man in the movie “No Way Home” decided to quit drinking alcohol after recognizing he had developed an addiction to it. He openly admitted this on the “On Purpose with Jay Shetty” podcast, stating that anyone who drinks daily might be struggling with a similar issue.

Then comes a point when you might think, ‘Oh, I wish I hadn’t had that extra beer last night,’ and the next day, you find yourself dealing with a severe headache.

After adopting the new lifestyle, Holland observed that he has been experiencing improved sleep quality and increased problem-solving abilities.

He said, “Previously, issues that used to upset me on the set, I could now handle calmly.” He added, “My mind was clearer than ever before, and I felt more robust in terms of both my physical and mental health.

The lead actor from “Hunt for Red October” seldom discusses his nearly four-decade-long struggle with sobriety.

He mentioned during his May 2024 podcast that he doesn’t often talk about it but does so occasionally when it’s appropriate. He also shared that he has been sober for 39 years, having achieved sobriety on February 23, 1985.

Discussing his life after relocating from New York City to Los Angeles in 1983, Alec described a constant struggle with addiction for two years. He admitted that he used an excessive amount of cocaine – enough to suggest lines from here to Saturn. He brought it home, and during that time, cocaine was similar to coffee; everyone seemed to be using it constantly.

And after quitting the drug, he soon turned to alcohol—only to also quit that dependency. 

Today, he relies on the city around him. 

He expressed that New York leaves him feeling relaxed, revealing new sights with every stroll. He might gaze at a building, suddenly noticing details he’d previously overlooked – like the unique doors. His days are filled with meals and coffees spent with friends.

Back in April 2024, the actress who starred in The Princess Diaries announced that she’s been sober for over five years. In her interview with The New York Times, she expressed, “This is a significant achievement for me.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d put it this way: “I could see the logic in it clearly. Deep within me, I knew it wasn’t my cup of tea. The idea of saying ‘no’ to something that didn’t resonate with me felt intense, but sometimes, you just have to accept ‘none.’ After all, if certain foods cause an allergic reaction or trigger an anaphylactic shock in your body, you don’t debate it. In the same vein, I chose not to argue with my intuition anymore.

She’s pleased with the choice she made, as she put it, “I find things are improving for me since then.” In her own words, “It gave me a boost, and I detest dwelling on negative feelings.

During her acceptance speech for the 2018 Woman of the Year award at the Peggy Albrecht Friendly House, a home offering recovery for women battling substance and alcohol addiction, Moore discussed the self-sabotaging journey that almost hindered her professional progress.

The celebrity mentioned that there are pivotal moments in our lives that influence who we become and the paths we choose. At the start of my career, I was on a self-destructive path, despite any accomplishments. I always felt like I wasn’t good enough, and this negative self-image rapidly led me to a critical juncture. The cause wasn’t clear at the time, but looking back, it might have been some kind of higher guidance or intervention.

Moore expressed gratitude in 2012 towards two people she barely knew, who seemingly presented her with a turning point in her life. In essence, they had issued a challenge for her to change her ways, as she humorously put it, “unless I was dead, I better show up.” She further explained that this encounter provided her an opportunity to alter the trajectory of her life before it spiraled out of control.

Moore pointed out, “They observed much more about me than I was aware of myself.” He expressed his deep appreciation because had they not done so, and hadn’t they believed in him, he wouldn’t be where he is today.

In 2022, Cyrus revealed that she’s been recovering from her Xanax addiction since 2020. She explained to Rolling Stone that the drug provided a much-needed structure in her life at that time and offered her a sense of hope. “I didn’t want to be just sitting around, lost in my thoughts,” she said. “Xanax gave me something to hold on to.

The singer commented, “When I believed I could momentarily quieten the world and dull your sorrow, that’s when it ended.

She mentioned that her friends at one point tacitly approved of her drug habits, which eventually led to a deep, seemingly endless abyss for her. However, during the pandemic, Cyrus acknowledged facing struggles and felt emotionally disconnected. “I was constantly nodding off and falling asleep,” she reminisced, adding that she couldn’t keep herself awake or alert due to being deeply submerged in it all.

She eventually sought help and noted that “it took some time to get on my own two feet.”

In his 2025 documentary titled “Stans“, the rapper known for “Lose Yourself” shared his past struggles with prescription pills, mentioning that a near-fatal overdose and missing his daughter’s birthday celebration of Hailie Jade, served as significant turning points in his life.

He expressed regret by saying, ‘I was so upset because I had missed that moment,’ in the documentary. He continued, ‘Should I miss out on this again? Should I miss everything? If you can’t take action for your own sake, then at least do it for theirs.’ His words were more politely phrased as, ‘I deeply regret missing that opportunity, and I must ensure I don’t miss out again. If I can’t act for myself, I should do it for them.’

Over time, refocusing his efforts on his music proved beneficial for the Oscar-winner during his path towards sobriety.

He clarified, “It undertook an action. It activated the light,” referring to his personal transformation. “I came to understand that I no longer feel ashamed about my sobriety. I began to view it as a superpower and take pride in the fact that I was able to abstain.

The former star of Parenthood remained abstinent for 16 years until a motorcycle accident in 2020 led to a relapse, during which they took Vicodin.

For the past two months or so, he mentioned during his Armchair Expert podcast, he’s been using these medications regularly throughout the day. Since he has a prescription, he’s permitted to use them within certain doses. Additionally, he is supplementing this with other means.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but express my disdain for this predicament. I find myself entangled in a web of deception, concealing the truth from others. Yet, deep within, I sense the urgent need to break free. Regrettably, my tolerance is spiraling at an alarming rate, leaving me in a precarious position where I’m consuming as many as eight 30-milligram units daily. I am all too aware that this quantity is dangerously close to triggering a severe withdrawal. The fear creeps in, and I feel an overwhelming sense of isolation. This secret, so vast and heavy, threatens to consume me entirely.

In 2018, I openly shared my struggle with a decade-long addiction to opiates, which stemmed from a minor plastic surgery I had in the late ’80s to address my genetically puffy eyes. This prescription medication took control of my life. I confess that for those ten years, I was stealing and manipulating, all while keeping my secret hidden from everyone around me. I shared this story with People magazine.

In the summer of 1998, when Curtis’s sister visited and brought prescription painkillers for a rib injury, Curtis admitted that this was the point where she reached her lowest ebb. She revealed that she knew her sister had the medications in the guest room closet during her stay. Upon remembering this, she became emotional. “I secretly took all her opiates before she left,” she confessed to a publication. Knowing her sister would pack and discover the missing pills, Curtis wrote a note of confession and left it on her suitcase. Upon returning home, her sister embraced her, expressing love and concern, and was unwilling to watch Curtis self-destruct.

On February 3, 1999, she participated in her inaugural meeting, coinciding with the day she shared her battle with substance abuse for the first time with her filmmaker spouse, Christopher Guest. According to her account, he found it hard to believe that he hadn’t noticed this before. Since then, she has remained sober.

Drew Barrymore, who has openly struggled with alcohol and drug addiction in the past, announced in 2021 that she had achieved a significant milestone in her recovery journey. On CBS Mornings, she revealed, “I’m going to share something I haven’t said for a while: It’s been two and a half years since my last drink of alcohol.” She added, “This is something that I realized no longer benefited me in my life.

I expressed, “It’s truly astonishing. Unveiling our inner selves, our authenticities, and the accomplishments we’ve tirelessly pursued feels incredibly freeing, yet exposing and exposed simultaneously.

Later, Barrymore clarified to the Los Angeles Times that she avoids the term “sober” as she doesn’t wish to be perceived as a self-righteous or overly moral individual, like a “perfect Puritan.

In 2023, she reflected, “I continually told myself, ‘I’ll conquer this, I’ll find a solution.’ However, it eventually occurred to me that ‘I haven’t truly mastered this, and I probably never will.’

During the 2000s, the actor from “A Star Is Born” battled a cocaine addiction. However, his friend Will Arnett intervened and addressed his concerning behavior.

In 2022, while speaking on the Smartless podcast, Cooper shared that moment was when I first acknowledged my struggles with substances such as drugs and alcohol. That experience is something I will always remember vividly.

As a devoted admirer, I’d proudly proclaim that it was Arnett who served as the catalyst for my sobriety. He dared to engage me in an honest, difficult conversation that ultimately set me on a journey towards self-transformation and the decision to alter the course of my life.

The main character from Fight Club battled alcohol addiction for several years, but Cooper played a crucial role in helping him achieve sobriety. During the 2020 National Board of Review Annual Awards, he expressed his gratitude to the audience, stating that Cooper had significantly improved his life and every day since then has been happier.

In September 2023, the former star of Cruel Intentions posted on Instagram that it had been the longest period since their teenage years when they weren’t using some form of nicotine or cannabis (along with other substances) in their system.

He expressed his gratitude for the liberation experienced upon overcoming addictions and freeing himself from substance dependence. In simpler terms, he finds genuine joy in maintaining sobriety, gaining clarity, and feeling spiritually connected.

In 2018, during her tour, the singer joyfully marked six years without alcohol. However, later that year, she surprised her followers by releasing the candid song “Sober”, disclosing that she had unfortunately experienced a relapse.

As a devoted admirer, I humbly express my sincere apologies, for once again, I find myself unable to maintain sobriety. To my dear parents, I am truly remorseful for the spilled drinks on the floor that may have caused inconvenience. And to those who’ve always stood by me, we’ve faced challenges before, and I regret to inform you that I’m not sober at this moment.

A month later, Lovato was hospitalized for a near-fatal overdose.

Two weeks ago, she posted on Instagram: “I’ve been open about my struggle with addiction from the start.” What I’ve realized is that this condition doesn’t simply vanish or weaken over time. It’s something I must persistently battle and conquer, which I haven’t managed to do completely yet…I require time now for healing and devotion to my sobriety and path towards recovery. The affection you’ve all shown me will never be erased from my memory, and I eagerly anticipate the moment when I can say I have emerged victorious. I shall continue to strive and fight.

2018 saw her reflecting on her struggles with sexual and alcohol dependencies. “My addictions can change, they shift. When I was younger, I believe I grappled with some form of a sex addiction, yes, that I thought every issue could be resolved through sex,” she expressed, going on to discuss the moment she acknowledged having fallen into a problematic drinking habit.

She recounted a moment when she was alone at home, about to open her third bottle of wine. She paused and remarked, “Wait a minute. Here I am, drinking my third bottle of wine all by myself at home? Maybe there’s an issue here that needs addressing.

She explained that she tends to quit things abruptly, or ‘go cold turkey’. This is a characteristic of hers. She’s prone to binge and needs to stay vigilant to avoid getting too engrossed in things. As she put it, it’s not just about the activity itself, but why one is engaged in it. If you enjoy having a lot of sex, that’s fine, but it’s important to consider the reasons behind it.

One of the Backstreet Boys band members experimented with drugs for the first time prior to filming the music video for “The Call” in 2000. In a later interview on Good Morning America, he admitted that he felt extremely energetic during the shoot. After getting sober in 2021, he experienced numerous positive changes within a year, such as losing 32 pounds in seven months by abstaining from alcohol and fast food.

He mentioned during an interview with Today in September 2022 that alcohol led to an increase in his weight, but it also negatively impacted his emotional well-being.

Following Mac Miller’s untimely death, Bow Wow (formerly known as Shad Moss) used Twitter to share his personal struggle with an addiction to cough syrup. In a series of tweets, he admitted that during the time he worked on the FACE OFF album and appeared on BET arguing with Torae, he was addicted to lean (a type of synthetic drug). He explained that his behavior changed, leading fans and even his family to turn against him.

Bow Wow recalled that during the UCP tour with Chris Brown, he consumed 4’s (a brand of cough syrup) at least seven times a day. This addiction continued until they performed in Cincinnati, where he passed out backstage and was rushed to the hospital due to withdrawal symptoms.

Bow Wow described the pain he experienced as unlike anything else, stating that he walked around with three hoodies on because he was so cold. He missed shows in Chicago and Baltimore due to his drug-induced state.

He urged his followers to stay away from these harmful substances, emphasizing the importance of being a good child or parent, and living life to the fullest. Bow Wow vowed to become more vocal about the issue, stating that they need to protect the youth from early deaths. He encouraged parents to pay attention to their children and have open conversations about drugs.

In conclusion, he urged his fans to break the cycle of following trends and instead make smart choices for a drug-free life. “Peace” was his final message.

2018 saw the singer openly discussing her struggles with addiction, as she released both her fourth album titled “No Shame” and a memoir named “My Thoughts Exactly.” In these works, she revealed that she had been heavily abusing cocaine and drinking to the point of being severely intoxicated. The tipping point came when an incident occurred at Kate Hudson’s Halloween party where she inadvertently headbutted Orlando Bloom, causing herself to faint. This event prompted an intervention by her former partner Gwyneth Paltrow and ex-husband Chris Martin.

In a conversation with The Guardian, she expressed, “I felt nothing could touch or fulfill me. One morning during those difficult times, I found myself considering heroin, as I thought, ‘Perhaps this is the only solution left, since nothing else seems effective.’

During the 1980s, an actor best known for his role in The Parent Trap struggled with a cocaine addiction that eventually led him to rehab in 1990. In a later interview on Today, he shared that he grew up during the ’60s and ’70s when societal attitudes towards drugs were markedly different.

In 2018, I openly acknowledged that my days were filled with cocaine use during the ’80s, a habit that was even present in some film budgets. Nights would find me pleading with God to take this addiction away from me, promising never to return to it once I had to report to work an hour later. Yet, come 4 o’clock in the afternoon, I’d often convince myself that it wasn’t so bad after all.

He described an intense moment, which he referred to as a ‘white light episode,’ during which he vividly imagined either his own death or losing everything valuable to him. Overwhelmed, he needed to share this experience with his fiancée, Meg Ryan, at the time. Following this, he decided it was necessary to seek help and ended his relationship with cocaine.

In 2018, following an incident in Newport Beach where he attempted to break down his hotel room door, Ryan Lochte chose to seek treatment for alcohol addiction. His representative explained to TopMob News that Lochte has struggled with this issue for many years, and unfortunately, it has turned into a harmful pattern for him. He admitted that he needs professional help to overcome his problem and will be seeking immediate assistance.

As a dedicated enthusiast, I firmly believe that overcoming this disease is non-negotiable for me. It’s not just about my personal victories, but it’s also crucial to ensure I make sound decisions in the future and maintain my role as an exemplary husband and father. Moreover, if I aspire to reclaim my place among the elite in the pool during the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, this disease is a hurdle I must conquer first.

As an ardent admirer, I can’t help but share the powerful influence my beloved, Peter Krause from “Parenthood,” found in his relationship with Melanie Lynskey. Despite knowing that getting sober for someone else isn’t typically advised, it was her presence that significantly contributed to his decision to abstain from alcohol.

He shared on The Drew Barrymore Show in March 2023 that at some point, he realized how extraordinary she was and believed she would be perfect for someone truly deserving. However, he admitted to not feeling as though he was that individual and confessed he felt a tad too unstable.

However, as Ritter noted to TopMob News, he now sees that sobriety is ultimately a personal choice.

In the beginning of our relationship, he explained, he found it simpler to claim that his actions were driven by her well-being because, during that period, he didn’t have a high sense of self-worth. He was more concerned about causing her pain rather than inflicting hurt upon himself. Therefore, at first, it seemed easier for him to assert, ‘I’m doing this for her.’ Now, however, he does it for his own sake.

For nearly a decade now, I’ve been walking the path of sobriety, a journey that was far from easy. My struggle with alcohol and pain medication started shortly after I graduated high school and persisted even as my career began to flourish. I carried a black leather laptop bag laden with bottles of Jagermeister or vodka, keeping it within my grasp at all times, as I confessed in an earlier conversation with People. Throughout the day, I’d find myself needing two or three strong pulls from the bottle every hour and a half to two hours. And every three or four hours, I’d take one or two pills for relief.

He confessed that it didn’t hinder his achievement in any way. “I wasn’t tripping over things constantly,” he stated. “I was at my peak – I composed more music back then than I do currently. That was the truly daunting aspect.

In late 2011, I was admitted to the hospital due to pancreatitis, and was warned that if I continued drinking, I might not celebrate my next birthday. However, I kept postponing the decision to quit and attempted self-control, thinking, “Alright, I’ll only allow myself two drinks today. I’ll only drink this much from my bottle and make a mark on it.” This strategy worked for a few days, but then someone would throw a party.

Eventually, he recognized his need for assistance and checked into rehab on December 18, 2011. In his own words, “I reached a point where I realized I needed help, as it infuriated me beyond measure and brought great shame upon me. Despite my strong-willed nature, this was the one aspect of my life that I couldn’t seem to conquer.

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2025-08-07 23:19