When someone finds lasting sobriety, it can be both an inspiration and motivation for others to work hard to find recovery. For those celebrities who have reached sobriety milestones, it can motivate others even more. An excellent example of a prominent celebrity who has stayed strong in their recovery journey is rapper Eminem.
11 Years Strong and Sober
Recently, Eminem took to social media to celebrate 11 years clean and sober. The 46-year-old rapper posted a pictureon Instagram to share with his followers his milestone. The picture is of his AA medallion, and he wrote “11 years, still not afraid”. The caption is a mod to his song “Not Afraid” which directly speaks to his past struggles with his addiction—especially with the following lines:
“It was my decision to get clean, I did it for me/Admittedly I probably did it subliminally for you.”
The song was a major hit off his 2010 album Recovery. The album itself centered on his nearly decade-long battle with his addiction to painkillers such as Vicodin and Valium as well as the popular prescription sleep medication Ambien. He also struggled with an addiction to the powerful opioid medication methadone.
Eminem’s Struggles with Addiction
According to an articlein Men’s Health, Eminem battled with addiction between 2002 and 2008. The superstar rapper first tried to get sober in 2005 after the death of a close friend. Two years later, Eminem almost died due to a methadone overdose which prompted another attempt to get clean and sober. Unlike his first attempt, he decided not to go to a rehab facility.
In a 2010 New York Timesarticle, Eminem detailed his decision not to pursue formal treatment:
“The second time I didn’t go to rehab…I just went to a regular hospital. I detoxed in the hospital, and then I came home. I couldn’t go back to rehab. I felt like I was Bugs Bunny in rehab.”
He continued:
“When Bugs Bunny walks into rehab, people are going to turn and look. People at rehab were stealing my hats and pens and notebooks and asking for autographs. I couldn’t concentrate on my problem.”
Staying the Course
Eminem’s second attempt at sobriety stuck, and he has been in recovery since April 20, 2008. He credits his sobriety to regular attendance in 12-step groups as well as being a father to his biological daughter Hailie as well as his two adopted daughters. He also has adopted a regular exercise regimen which includes running, boxing, sit-ups and push-ups.
Eminem states that exercise has become his new addiction:
“I got an addict’s brain, and when it came to running, I think I got a little carried away… became a fucking hamster. Seventeen miles a day on a treadmill. I would get up in the morning, and before I went to the studio, I would run eight and a half miles in about an hour. Then I’d come home and run another eight and a half. I started getting OCD about the calories, making sure I burned 2,000 every day. In the end I got down to about 149 pounds.”
A Spark is All You Need to Get on The Path to Recovery
Eminem’s story of addiction and recovery is inspiring, and it can provide the push that is needed for you or a loved one to find help. If you need someone to talk to regarding treatment, call the experienced professionals at Drug Rehab Program Journal toll-free at 1-800-205-1201. We will work with you in finding the treatment options that are the perfect fit to your unique needs.
