Coverage of celebrity addictions like Abdul, Eminem and Steve-O give us an inside look at the damage done and the triumph – and ongoing struggle — of recovery.
After years of speculation, American Idol judge Paula Abdul finally came clean with Ladies Home Journal about her dependence on painkillers – well, sort of. “I could have killed myself,” Abdul admits in the homey mag’s June issue. “Withdrawal – it’s the worst thing.”
Abdul has since disputed some of the information in the article, clarifying that she checked herself into the La Costa Resort and Spa, in Carlsbad, Calif., not a rehab or detox facility.
Steve-O, of Jackass and Dancing With the Stars fame, was more forthcoming in his recent documentary that tracked his extensive drug abuse, which included inhalants, cocaine and alcohol. An intervention by Jackass friend Johnny Knoxville and others eventually helped the funnyman get back his sense of humor as well as his sobriety.
Hip-hop bad boy Eminem has also copped to drug abuse recently, crediting none other than Sir Elton John with helping him kick the habit. The flamboyant rock legend reportedly offered counseling over the phone.
“He had a substance abuse problem in the past so when I first wanted to get sober, I called him because he is somebody in the business who can relate to the lifestyle and how hectic things can be,” thesun.co.uk quoted Eminem as saying.
For the rest of us without the help of celeb phone buddies, national magazines or paparazzi entourages, treatment is available at La Paloma. Call our 24-hour helpline for more info.
Tags: American Idol, Celeb Addiction, Cocaine, Detox, Eminem, Inhalants, Ladies Home Journal, Painkillers, Paula Abdul, Steve-O, Withdrawal
