“And I’m allowed to be on them at some dosage because I have a prescription and then I’m also augmenting that.” Eventually, channeling his energy back into his music helped the Oscar winner on his sobriety journey. The Valley star shared his decades-long battle with drugs in March 2025 after going to rehab. And while working on his 2009 album Relapse, which detailed his experience with sobriety, he felt empowered by his ability to leave his addiction behind.
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“I started treating sobriety like a superpower and I took pride in the fact that I was able to quit,” Eminem revealed. “Didn’t you ask the doctors when I started recording new shit, when I first started rapping again and sent it to you, didn’t you say, like, ‘I just wanted to make sure he doesn’t have brain damage?'” Eminem asked. Once Eminem recognized the severity of his addiction, he took the courageous step of seeking help. He understood that recovery was not a battle he could fight alone. With the support of his loved ones, he reached out to professionals who specialized in addiction treatment.
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On tour, someone gave him a pill that allowed him to get to sleep quickly, making the most of the little time he had. This lead to him taking other prescription medication, such as Vicodin, to help him unwind at the end of the day and be able to sleep. He says he realized that all pain seemed to disappear when he took this. Over time, the amount he took increased until he was taking more than twenty pills what was eminem addicted to a day. He admits he doesn’t know when the addiction became a problem. He now has only fuzzy memories of much of the following five years.
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His recent collaborations with new-generation artists show his ability to stay relevant while maintaining his distinctive style. Eminem’s evolution serves as a powerful testament to the positive impact of sobriety on artistic expression. The Marshall Mathers LP confirmed his status as a rap superstar, becoming the fastest-selling rap album ever with 1.76 million copies sold in its first week. His collaboration with Dr. Dre and Interscope Records gave birth to Shady Records, launching the careers of artists like 50 Cent and D12. Not only was he a white rapper, but he also knew he was a guest in Hip Hop and felt he had a lot to prove. He admitted the constant barrage of insults hurt and drugs were a way to cope.
It required immense determination, self-reflection, and the support of loved ones. Through his music, he candidly shared his experiences, shining a light on the dark realities of addiction. Furthermore, when artists share their stories, they create a sense of community and support for their fans who may be facing similar challenges. By speaking openly about their struggles and recovery, musicians can encourage their followers to seek help and provide hope for a brighter future. The strangest and probably the greatest thing that’s happened to me over these past 25 years in a professional sense was getting to meet all my heroes.
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- Marshall Bruce Mathers III is an American rapper, songwriter and record producer who works under the artist name Eminem.
- We used to drink 40s on the porch and just battle rap each other.
- And it is impossible to count how many people around the world found the strength to break free from addiction because of Em’s example.
“I had f–kin’ 10 drug dealers at one time that I’m getting heroin addiction my s–t from. Seventy-five to 80 Valiums a night, which is a lot. I don’t know how the f–k I’m still here.” Eminem was subject to a maniacal spiral of depression that resulted in intensified addiction and it can be backed by scientific studies. A study published on PubMed shows that the simultaneous occurrence of depression and substance abuse happens frequently, and each condition aggravates the other. Human beings go into using the substances in an attempt to self-medicate their depression, but this can result in tolerance, drug reliance, and even overdose. The drugs can further imbalance the chemicals in the brain, causing the depression to get worse. Depression and addiction are interrelated, which means that professional assistance is necessary with therapy, medication and support systems.
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Often, the pills prescribed by a doctor can be just as disabling over time. The rap star Eminem illustrates how there is another type of addict that inhabits this world. He’s also the first one to tell you the only outcome of his addiction would have been his death had he not gotten clean.
But then I think, Man, I could’ve done those vocals so much better. I understood, at the same time, everybody’s perception of a White guy coming into hip-hop and all of a sudden things start happening for him. So, if XXL would’ve even had a conversation with me, maybe they would’ve understood me more. Coming up through the battle scene, that didn’t mean shit to me, you know? Professional support and personalized care, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ like those offered at SoCal Detox in Laguna Beach, can make the difference between struggling and thriving on your path to recovery.
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His childhood experiences also contributed to his later struggles with drug addiction and made his recovery journey all the more challenging. “When I got out of rehab, I needed to lose weight, but I also needed to figure out a way to function sober. Unless I was blitzed out of my mind, I had trouble sleeping. So I started running,” he told Men’s Journal. “It gave me a natural endorphin high, but it also helped me sleep, so it was perfect. It’s easy to understand how people replace addiction with exercise.” Friends and family tried to intervene but like many others who are addicted to prescription drugs, Eminem didn’t see himself as an addict because the drugs were legal ones.
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“Just after Proof died, I was in my house by myself, and I was just laying in bed and I couldn’t move and I just kept staring at the ceiling fan. Addiction has had a significant impact on musicians across genres, including rap, rock, and pop. The unique lifestyle and pressures that come with a career in music can contribute to substance abuse and addiction. The accessibility to drugs and alcohol, the stress of touring, and the emotional toll of fame can all play a role in the development of addiction. Behind the success and fame, Eminem faced a personal struggle that almost cost him everything. He battled with prescription drug addiction, which threatened to destroy both his career and personal life.