Eminem reveals the trigger that led him to cease his pill addiction: "I cried out"
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Eminem's struggle with addiction and subsequent journey towards sobriety has been a poignant chapter in his life, marked by personal turmoil and emotional growth.
In December 2007, Eminem suffered a near-fatal overdose on methadone, a tragedy that could have claimed his life. The overdose was a result of a dealer misrepresenting the drug as a safer alternative to Vicodin. After collapsing and being hospitalized, doctors informed him that he had ingested an amount equivalent to four bags of heroin, brushing close to death.
Despite checking himself out of the hospital prematurely and suffering setbacks, including a seizure and knee surgery, Eminem initially relapsed within a month. However, the emotional impact of missing important family moments, particularly his daughter Hailie's first guitar recital, deeply affected him. This personal guilt fueled his determination to change for the sake of his children and family.
Eminem sought help through church meetings, rehabilitation counseling, and mentorship from Elton John. He also adopted a rigorous exercise routine, focusing on running, which helped maintain his discipline during recovery. Eminem officially became sober on April 20, 2008, after starting a 12-step program earlier that year. Sobriety required him to "relearn how to rap" and rebuild his creative skills, which were severely impaired by addiction.
The process of recovery inspired his 2009 album Relapse, which Eminem described as a therapeutic tool that helped him reconnect with himself and embrace sobriety as a source of pride and strength. The album was dedicated to honouring his journey of sobriety.
Eminem's sobriety journey is a significant part of the narrative in his documentary Stans, which was released but the exact date is not specified in the provided information. The documentary discusses his pill addiction, near-fatal overdose, and subsequent sobriety journey in detail.
In summary, Eminem's path to sobriety was marked by a critical health scare from overdose, compounded by personal loss and family-related guilt, supported by professional help and mentorship, culminating in a dedicated recovery starting in April 2008. His journey serves as a testament to the power of resilience and the transformative effects of seeking help and prioritizing personal growth.
Science and health-and-wellness intertwined throughout Eminem's sobriety journey, as mental-health therapies-and-treatments played significant roles in his recovery. His determination to overcome addiction was due in part to the insights gained through counseling, helping him rebuild not only his physical health but also his mental well-being.
