Eminem’s Addiction Story 

Eminem is a generational talent, and will go down in history as one of the world’s best ever rappers. However, behind the fame, Eminem struggled with an opioid addiction that almost claimed his life. 

When Eminem released his track “Somebody Save Me” in 2024, he openly raps about his struggles with addiction. He likely knew it would resonate with fans, but he surely wouldn’t have expected the tidal wave of emotional responses that flooded social media.  

TikTok in particular became filled with deeply personal reaction videos, with fans and non-fans alike posting videos of themselves crying on the platform.  

Many explained how the song felt like the apology they never received from loved ones who battled an addiction during their childhood.  

Eminem’s songs have therefore become more than just music—they’re a mirror for people who have been scarred by addiction in the past, and a beacon for those still trying to escape it.  

In this blog, we’ll discuss Eminem’s powerful recovery from drug addiction, the song that referenced his struggles, and the cultural impact his recovery has had. 

Eminem’s History with Addiction 

Eminem, born Marshall Mathers in Missouri, 1972, has had a highly public battle with addiction. Eminem’s addiction struggles began in the early noughties, right in the middle of his rise to fame.  

Like with many celebrities, the pressures of stardom led Eminem to develop a number of personal health issues, namely anxiety and insomnia.  

Constant media attention, combined with constant touring which involved lots of alcohol and drugs, led him to seek relief from his fast-paced, anxiety-inducing lifestyle.   

To cope, he turned to over-the-counter prescription drugs, which were recommended to him by a friend who wanted to help. However, what started out as a way to achieve temporary relief, quickly spiralled into dependency and addiction.  

What Drugs Was Eminem Addicted To? 

Eminem started to rely on prescription drugs, like Valium, Vicodin, Methadone and Ambien to cope with his mounting anxiety and sleep troubles.  

These substances all belong to the opioid class of drugs, which are often prescribed to help individuals gain temporary relief from pain. Valium is also often prescribed to help people with insomnia to sleep.  

Because these drugs were not ‘illegal drugs’ with a bad reputation, such as cocaine or heroin, Eminem saw their use as safe, and not drugs that one could get addicted to.  

However, as opioids, Valium, Vicodin, Methadone and Ambien can all be highly addictive if taken frequently and across a long period of time. Increasingly relying on them to relax and to get to sleep, Eminem gradually built up a tolerance to the drugs.  

This led him to take even more of the drugs in order to feel the same effects, quickly escalating into dependency and addiction.  

Eminem’s Addiction Reaches Its Peak 

Reflecting on when his addiction was at its peak, Eminem confessed that he was taking up to 60 Valium and 30 Vicodin a day just to feel “normal”—A clear sign of drug dependency.  

However, at the time, Eminem was in denial about his addiction, claiming that he didn’t have a problem because they were only prescription drugs and that they were safe because they were legal.  

Unaware that prescription drugs can be highly addictive, his denial only led to his addiction getting worse, as it meant his substance abuse continued unchecked. 

The death of his close friend Proof in 2006—his longtime collaborator and emotional anchor—then only sent him deeper into substance abuse.  

In 2007, Eminem nearly died from a methadone overdose, an event that became the turning point in his life. 

How Eminem Overcame His Drug Addiction 

Eminem overcame drug addiction through a powerful mix of professional help and personal determination. After his near-death experience, Eminem became doubly determined to cure himself of his addiction. He committed to regular addiction rehabilitation in the form of 1-1 counselling, which he found to be very effective. 

However, the journey to recovery wasn’t a straightforward one. He admitted to relapsing on multiple occasions, but he didn’t let this deter his recovery journey. 

His initial detoxification period was also particularly challenging. He experienced severe withdrawal symptoms, including insomnia and even difficulty speaking or walking. At one point, he spent an entire two days unable to walk.  

After successfully navigating his detox however, Eminem rebuilt his physical health by replacing his drug use with a new hobby: long-distance running. This gave him a natural endorphin boost, taking his mind of the drugs and his stardom, and also helping him to finally cure his sleep issue.  

A strong support system also played a crucial role. Eminem leaned on close friends like Royce Da 5’9” and 50 Cent, whilst others like Elton John also became crucial role models. With his own lived experience of drug addiction, Elton John became a sponsor-like figure who supported him, letting him know that he wasn’t the only one who has struggled with fame and addiction. 

Eminem’s motivation to recover also stemmed from his desire to be present for his children. The realisation that his addiction was harming his family pushed him further toward lasting sobriety. 

Despite his relapses, Eminem successfully achieved sobriety in 2008 and has now been clean for more than 16 years. Today, Eminem stands as a powerful example of what addiction recovery can look like, even after the darkest moments. 

A Musical Apology Heard Around the World 

In “Somebody Save Me,” a track from his 2024 album, The Death of Slim Shady, Eminem directly discusses his battles with addiction in his lyrics. The track confronts the impact his addiction had on his children: Alaina, Hailie, and Stevie.  

The track comes across like a letter to his children, where Eminem explores an alternate reality in which he dies from his overdose, and consequently misses all the most important milestones of their lives. 

One particular line: “I don’t even deserve the father title”, highlights the intense guilt that Eminem felt about his addiction in relation to his family. This self-reflection and confronting of difficult emotions is often a crucial stage of addiction recovery, and is clearly one that Eminem had to grapple with intimately.  

However, Eminem found therapy in the creation of his music, and used his songs as a vehicle to express his feelings of guilt and remorse towards his loved ones.  

The Cultural Impact of Eminem’s Song on Addiction  

Whilst no doubt painful to write and produce, the song has struck a powerful emotional chord with fans. Many took to social media platforms like TikTok to post emotional videos of themselves in tears.  

People collectively sent out the message that his song represented not just an apology to his own children, but also felt like an apology to them as well – the one that they had never received from their own parents.  

Many were therefore able to achieve the emotional catharsis and closure that they had never previously had, resulting in an outpouring of emotions from fans across the world.  

Eminem’s music has therefore had a deep cultural impact on a generation of individuals who have been scarred by addiction in their childhood. It also deeply resonates with individuals who are struggling with the emotional toll of their addictions and its impact on their loved ones. 

His music stands as not only a beacon of hope for individuals going through similar struggles—proving that recovery is always possible—but also highlights the importance of breaking down stigma and opening up about addiction so we can all the begin the process of healing from psychological scars. 

Seek Support With New Leaf Recovery Today 

Admitting that you have a problem with drugs or alcohol takes immense courage, but at New Leaf Recovery, we know that taking that first step is the best choice you can possibly make for yourself.  

Eminem’s addiction story, expressed through his music, is a message to those suffering that opening up about your struggles is the vital first step. It proves that there is no shame in admitting that you have a problem, and that it’s never too late to reach out to loved ones for support and reconciliation. 

If you think that you or a loved one might have a problem with drugs or alcohol, reach out to New Leaf Recovery for support today. We’re here to listen, not lecture, and help provide you with the vital support you need to make a long-term, lasting recovery, because it’s never too late to turn over a new leaf.