Eminem Reveals Past Overdose and Struggles with Addiction in Latest Documentary

Eminem's profound immersion into his addiction led to a significant turning point in his life.

In the newly released documentary Stans, the artist behind "Mockingbird" shares his history of misusing prescription drugs such as Vicodin, Valium, Ambien, and Xanax. This period of substance abuse spanned from the late 1990s until approximately 2008, culminating in a severe health crisis.

“I found myself trapped in a destructive cycle of thinking 'I'm depressed so I need more pills,'” Eminem recounts in the film, as reported by Us Weekly. “My tolerance escalated to the point where overdosing became a real risk. I remember waking up in the hospital, confused and immobilized with tubes inserted in me.”

The 52-year-old Marshall Mathers explains that upon returning home from the hospital, he felt an urgent need for change, believing that he was on the verge of death if he didn't alter his path.

Aside from the immediate health concerns, Eminem was driven to overcome his addiction after missing his daughter Hailie Jade's birthday celebration with his ex-wife Kim Scott, now 29.

“I was devastated because I realized, 'Oh my god, I missed that,'” he shares. “I kept questioning myself, 'Do you really want to miss these moments again? Do you want to miss everything?' If I couldn't do it for myself, at least I could do it for them.”

This realization marked the moment he decided, “I’m never falling into this trap again.”

Although Eminem has maintained sobriety for 17 years, he describes the initial phase of his recovery as a period of relearning basic skills and even renegotiating his rapping abilities.

“My ability to write had deteriorated,” he mentions in the documentary. “Regaining it was exhilarating because I was actually connecting with my thoughts again—just having simple conversations or watching TV.”

The rapper, who is also the father of Alaina and Stevie with Kim, adds, “Recovery hit me swiftly, and I started composing songs rapidly.”

Working on his 2009 album Relapse, which delves into his path to sobriety, Eminem felt empowered by moving beyond his addiction.

“It illuminated everything,” Eminem explains. “I no longer felt ashamed about being sober. I began to view sobriety as a strength and took pride in overcoming it.”

Continue reading for more stories of celebrities who have openly shared their battles with addiction.

AJ McLean

The Backstreet Boys member, after a relapse in 2021, declared he has committed to sobriety permanently.

“I'm dedicated to this journey all the way,” he told People in July 2025. “It's a daily commitment. I've embraced the supportive suggestions from the sober community, and my life has taken a positive turn.”

AJ acknowledges his ongoing growth and self-discovery. “I've learned about boundaries, something I never truly had before. Now, I possess them, which is a blessing. AJ represents a persona, but it doesn't define me as Alexander James.”

Jason Biggs

The American Pie actor celebrated one year of sobriety in October 2018 through an uplifting Instagram post.

“I first attempted sobriety over five years ago when my addiction to alcohol and drugs became overwhelming,” he wrote. “It's been incredibly challenging.”

He added, “After some setbacks, I've achieved a year of sobriety. It’s one of my proudest achievements. If you're struggling, remember that help is available. Don’t feel ashamed. We can overcome this together.”

Years later, he reflected on his addiction ordeal and the lengths he went to conceal his struggles.

“I attend therapy and work on myself, but there were times I would leave a session and head to the liquor store for a binge,” he revealed on his wife Jenny Mollen’s All the Fails podcast in March 2024. “I had perfected the art of getting wasted enough to disconnect from reality and my emotions.”

He continued, “I had a system to stay drunk without losing control, constantly replacing empty bottles at the bar.”

Ashlyn Harris

The two-time FIFA Women's World Cup champion has openly discussed her Adderall misuse during her college soccer career.

“I became heavily addicted to Adderall and was misusing it frequently,” she shared on a 2025 episode of Question Everything with Danielle Robay. “I was taking it nonstop, going days without sleep. It was dangerous.”

During her struggle, her college coach Anson Dorrance supported her, encouraging her to read transformative books.

“Everything darkened, and I needed to make significant changes,” she explained. “Anson had me read 'Man’s Search for Meaning,' which changed my perspective on suffering and transformed my life.”

Jax Taylor

The star of The Valley revealed his long-term battle with substance abuse in March 2025 after seeking rehabilitation.

“I'm admitting that I'm an addict,” Jax stated on Bravo’s Hot Mic podcast on March 4. “I have issues with substances, mainly cocaine. It’s tough to verbalize.”

He continued, “I've struggled intermittently since I was 23 and am now 45. There were periods of sobriety followed by heavy use.”

Jax also quit alcohol, explaining, “I don't think I had an alcohol problem alone, but they were intertwined. I can’t consume cocaine without drinking, so I stopped both. I’m proud to say I’ve been sober for over two months, my longest streak ever.”

Tom Holland

The Spider-Man actor ceased drinking in 2022 after feeling controlled by alcohol.

“I was definitely addicted to alcohol and I'm not ashamed to admit that,” Holland shared on the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast. “I believe that having a beer every day can lead to problems.”

“Eventually, I reached a point where I regretted that last drink,” he continued. “Waking up with a terrible headache was a common consequence.”

Since giving up alcohol, Holland has experienced better sleep and improved problem-solving abilities. “Problems on set that once upset me are now manageable,” he noted. “I have much clearer mental focus and feel healthier.”

Alec Baldwin

The Hunt for Red October actor rarely discusses his path to sobriety, which began nearly four decades ago.

“I don’t talk about this frequently,” he mentioned during a May 2024 podcast appearance. “I speak about it occasionally when appropriate. I’ve been sober for 39 years, since February 23, 1985.”

Reflecting on his life after moving from New York City to Los Angeles in 1983, Alec shared, “For two years, I had a severe problem every day. Cocaine was as common as coffee back then, and I was heavily involved.”

After quitting cocaine, he also overcame his alcohol dependency. Today, Alec finds solace in his surroundings.

“New York brings me peace,” he said about his hometown. “I explore the city and notice details I never saw before. Whether it's a building or its doors, I find new appreciation. I enjoy lunches, coffee, and time with friends.”

Anne Hathaway

The Princess Diaries star revealed in April 2024 that she has been sober for over five years.

In an interview with The New York Times, she stated, “That milestone means a lot to me.”

“I realized it wasn’t right for me,” she explained. “I couldn’t continue to endure the extreme measures. If you’re allergic or have a severe reaction to something, you don’t resist it. I stopped fighting it.”

Anne expressed gratitude for her decision. “From my experience, everything improves without substances. They were merely a crutch, and I prefer not to rely on them.”

While receiving the 2018 Woman of the Year Award from the Peggy Albrecht Friendly House, Anne discussed the self-destructive phase that almost ended her career.

“There are pivotal moments that define us and steer our lives,” she recalled. “Early in my career, I was spiraling into self-destruction despite my successes. I felt worthless, and it led me to a critical crisis—perhaps a form of divine intervention.”

Anne thanked two unnamed individuals who gave her an ultimatum to change her life. “They said, 'Unless you turn your life around, you'll be gone,'” she recounted. “They saw more in me than I did, and I'm incredibly thankful because without their belief, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus shared in 2022 that she has been recovering from a Xanax addiction since 2020.

“Recovery provided me with much-needed structure,” she told Rolling Stone. “It prevented me from aimlessly wandering and constantly stirring in my mind.”

She added, “Once I realized that numbing my pain indefinitely was futile, I decided to seek help.”

Her friends had previously enabled her drug use, creating a “dark, bottomless pit,” Miley explained. During the pandemic, she recognized the challenges and her emotional detachment. “I was falling asleep constantly, unable to stay awake or keep my focus because I was so overwhelmed.”

Eventually, Miley sought assistance and acknowledged that “it took time to regain my footing.”

Eminem

The "Lose Yourself" artist reflected on his previous misuse of prescription medications in his 2025 documentary Stans. He shared that an overdose and missing his daughter Hailie Jade’s birthday were catalysts for his transformation.

“I was heartbroken because I couldn’t be there for her,” he confessed. “That moment made me realize I had to change.”