Eminem, the 51-year-old rapper, recently celebrated a significant milestone in his life – 16 years of sobriety. Known for his hit songs like “Lose Yourself,” Eminem shared this accomplishment with his fans on Instagram. He posted a photo of his hand holding a commemorative chip, symbolizing his achievement.
The captionless post received an outpouring of support and congratulations from fans. One fan account, Stanistheone, wrote, “We’re all proud of you for being 16 years sober.” Fellow rapper DTG (real name Dylan Godfrey) expressed his admiration, saying, “Great decision you made brother! We’re all very proud of you.”
This journey towards sobriety for Eminem started after a near-fatal drug overdose in 2007. It served as a wake-up call that motivated him to make a change in his life. At the time, he was taking up to 20 pills a day, but he found the strength to break free from that destructive path.
Eminem’s recovery process has been a combination of various elements. He credits his children – his biological daughter Hailie Jade and his two adopted children, Alaina and Stevie – for playing a crucial role in keeping him sober. Additionally, he replaced his addiction with a healthier alternative – exercise.
In an interview with Men’s Journal in 2015, Eminem shared, “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. It gave me a natural endorphin high, but it also helped me sleep, so it was perfect.”
Eminem further emphasized how replacing addiction with exercise is a common route for many individuals on their path to recovery. It provides a healthy outlet and a positive way to cope with the challenges that arise.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, remember that help is available. Please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
