Born Marshall Mathers, Eminem is a titan in the music industry and a symbol of personal recovery and transformation. Known for his rapid-fire lyrics, aggressive subject matter, and raw storytelling, Eminem has left an unforgettable mark on hip-hop and pop culture.
On April 20, 2024, Eminem celebrates 16 years of sobriety—a significant milestone that resonated with the rapper’s many fans and friends in the music industry.
Keep reading to learn more about the rap icon’s struggle with prescription drug addiction, overdose, and relapse and how he found his path to recovery.
Eminem’s Struggle with Addiction
Eminem’s battle with addiction has been both public and significantly intertwined with his career. His addiction issues began in the early 2000s, and the Grammy-winning rapper has been open about how he became addicted to alcohol and prescription medications like Vicodin, Valium, and Ambien.
“It didn’t really start until my career took off,” he told Rolling Stone. “The bigger the shows got, the bigger the after-parties; drugs were always around.”
While filming 8 Mile, Eminem said days on set often lasted up to 16 hours, and getting adequate sleep was difficult.
“One day somebody gave me an Ambien, and it knocked me the f**k out,” he said in Rolling Stone.
“I was like, ‘I need this all the time.’ So I got a prescription,” he said. Eventually, his addiction to prescription drugs became so severe that Eminem said he was taking the pills to feel normal instead of getting high.
Eminem said at the height of his addiction, he was taking anywhere from 40 to 60 Valium and 20 to 30 Vicodin a day, relying on Ambien at night to sleep.
The loss of his close friend and mentor, DeShaun “Proof” Holton, in 2006 exacerbated the Grammy winner’s addiction, leading him into a downward spiral.
“It had a lot to do with it. I remember days I spent just taking fucking pills and crying,” he admitted.
“I literally couldn’t walk for two days when that happened, and eventually my drug use f*****n’ skyrocketed,” Eminem said in a 2022 article for XXL.
“I had f****n’ 10 drug dealers at one time that I’m getting 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,” he explained.
Road to Recovery
Eminem’s journey to sobriety was neither quick nor easy after a failed rehab stint in 2005 and an accidental overdose of methadone in 2007.
After a week in the hospital, Eminem checked himself out early before fully detoxing. While at home, he tore his meniscus, which required knee surgery. Following the surgery, he had a seizure—likely due to withdrawal—and suffered a relapse.
“I knew I had to change my life. But addiction is a f*****g tricky thing,” the 8 Mile actor admitted.
“I think I relapsed within…three weeks? And within a month it had ramped right back to where it was before. That’s what really freaked me out. That’s when I knew: I either get help, or I am going to die.”
After his overdose and relapse between 2007 and 2008, Eminem approached recovery in a few different ways.
“I tried some meetings—a couple of churches and things. It tended to not do me much good,” the “Lose Yourself” singer said, eventually relying on check-ins with a weekly rehab counselor.
Emeniem also said he needed to find a way to function sober and lose weight, as he had trouble sleeping and had grown to nearly 230 pounds in his addiction.
“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,” the 45-year-old emcee said.
“It’s easy to understand how people replace addiction with exercise. One addiction for another but one that’s good for them,” Eminem said.
He also credits having a solid support system as motivation for maintaining his sobriety. He named Royce Da 5’9” and 50 Cent as friends he stayed close with. He explained that Elton John has also been his close friend and supporter for years.
“He’s like my sponsor. He usually calls me once a week to check on me, just to make sure I’m on the up-and-up,” Eminem said. “He was actually one of the first people I called when I wanted to get clean.”
Celebrating 16 Years of Sobriety
On April 20, 2024, Eminem celebrated his 16th anniversary of sobriety by sharing a photo of his sobriety coin on Instagram, inscribed with the words “unity,” “service,” and “recovery.”
His post began trending quickly, garnering reactions from fans, family, and fellow artists alike.
His longtime manager, Paul Rosenberg, commented, “Sweet 16. So proud of you,” while his younger brother, Nathan Mathers, wrote, “Greatest Influence and Mentor.”
The celebration was not just a personal victory but a communal one, with many fans expressing their admiration, support, and personal experiences with addiction.
The post has more than 1.2 million likes and over 24,000 comments, and it’s not the rapper’s first time sharing his sobriety milestones with fans. He has inspired countless others to continue on their recovery journeys.
“Congratulations and thanks for sharing, especially to the ones trying to get through Day 1,” one fan commented on his 16th anniversary post.
While headlining Coachella in April 2018, he posted a picture on Instagram of himself holding an Alcoholics Anonymous coin with the Roman numeral “X” on it, marking 10 years of sobriety for the hip-hop icon.
In 2020, he celebrated his 12th anniversary on social media with a post captioned, “Clean dozen, in the books. I’m not afraid.”
Impact on His Music and Career
Eminem’s sobriety has undoubtedly influenced his music and career. His confessional 2009 album Relapse centers around drug addiction, rehabilitation, and, as the title suggests, relapse. Relapse’s introspective follow-up LP, Recovery, explores themes of redemption, self-reflection, and resilience.
Although Relapse initially received mixed reviews, it has been certified double-platinum and is now considered a cult classic for the Detroit icon. Eminem debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with Recovery, the best-selling album in the U.S. and worldwide in 2010.
Songs like “Not Afraid” and “Going Through Changes” explicitly focus on his journey with addiction and recovery, resonating with longtime Slim Shady fans and listeners going through similar struggles.
Relapse and Recovery received Grammy Awards for Best Rap Album in 2010 and 2011. Since Recovery, Eminem has released four albums: The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (2013), Revival (2017), Kamikaze (2018), and Music to Be Murdered By (2020).
Post-sobriety, his albums have reflected a more reflective and mature perspective. Eminem’s music getting sober has been mostly well-received, though controversial at times, and commercially successful—demonstrating his ability to evolve while maintaining his artistic identity.
Eminem’s Influence and Advocacy
Beyond his music, Eminem has become an advocate for addiction recovery. His personal story has inspired countless individuals, showing that recovery is possible after years of struggle.
“Some people may look up to me. Some people may consider me a f*****g menace,” Eminem said when asked about being a kind of role model for people trying to overcome addiction and substance abuse.
As someone who has long been open about his battles with addiction, Eminem has also recognized his role as an advocate for sobriety and addiction recovery.
Eminem has said it can be overwhelming to perform in front of huge crowds of emotional fans who have struggled with addiction or similar experiences.
“But I’m grateful for every fan letter I get and for every person who says I helped save them,” he said.
Begin Your Journey to Recovery at The Summit Wellness Group
As Eminem celebrates the 16th anniversary of his sobriety from prescription drugs, it is clear that his journey is far from over. Recovery is a lifelong process that begins with the decision to get sober. Recovery happens one day at a time. Day one is when you ask for help, so make today your day one.
Whether you are struggling with alcohol addiction, prescription drug abuse, or another substance abuse disorder, start your path to recovery at The Summit Wellness Group. Contact us anytime by phone at (770) 830-3542 or email at ContactUs@TheSummitWellnessGroup.com.