Additional Coverage:
- Inside Billy Idol’s drug addiction that nearly took his life as he’s honored at AMAs (themirror.com)
During the 1980s, Billy Idol’s life mirrored that of many rock stars of the time, marked by a heavy struggle with cocaine and heroin addiction. In his memoir Dancing With Myself, Idol candidly recalls blacking out in nightclubs and waking up in hospitals due to his substance abuse.
Everything changed in 1990 when Idol suffered a severe motorbike crash at a Hollywood intersection. The accident nearly cost him his leg and became a stark turning point.
Reflecting on that period, he said, “It was a particularly horrible, painful time when I really didn’t know what was going to happen. I didn’t know if I could save my leg or whether it was going to be cut off.
It was a watershed moment-I had to change my life. I was kind of destroying myself, really.
And I had young children at the time. I had to ask myself, ‘What am I teaching them by continuing down this path?’
I needed to get a hold of myself.”
Idol has been open about the challenges of addiction and recovery. In a revealing conversation with Zane Lowe on Apple Music, he shared that in 1994 he overdosed outside a Los Angeles nightclub and was rushed to the hospital.
Experts note that relapse is common; the National Institute of Health reports that 85 percent of people experience a relapse within a year of treatment. Understanding this is vital for those struggling, so they do not lose hope or become discouraged in their journey to recovery.
Today, Idol manages his addiction and is no longer controlled by drugs. While not completely sober, he avoids hard drugs and limits his alcohol intake, motivated by the life-altering experiences he had in hospitals.
“I’m not 100 percent,” he admitted. “I stopped the hard stuff and don’t drink much.
I had to face the problem that had ruled my life for about 10 years. Over the next decade, I gradually developed some discipline.”
Now recognized for his enduring contributions to rock music-with hits like “White Wedding” and “Rebel Yell”-Idol is set to be honored at the American Music Awards for his lifetime achievements. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the struggles behind the spotlight and the strength required to overcome addiction.
For those seeking help, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers a free, confidential 24-hour hotline for treatment referrals and support at 1-800-662-HELP (4357), available in both English and Spanish.