Herbie Murray
In 2005, Eminem cancelled his European Anger Management tour due to what his management described as exhaustion and other medical issues. It was later revealed that the artist was in the hospital, receiving treatment for an addiction to sleeping pills. Eminem has since opened up about his addiction to prescription opioids, including Ambien, Valium, and Vicodin, which he took to help him sleep during long hours on tour. The rapper has detailed his journey to recovery, which was inspired by his children, and in 2024, he celebrated 16 years of sobriety.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of sleeping pill | Ambien |
| Other prescription drugs | Vicodin, Valium |
| Number of pills taken per day | 20-30 |
| Other drugs mentioned | Methadone, heroin |
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What You'll Learn
Eminem's addiction to Ambien
Eminem, born Marshall Bruce Mathers III, is a world-renowned rap artist, music producer, songwriter, record executive, and actor. He rose to fame in the late 1990s with the release of his second album, The Slim Shady LP. However, even as he rose to stardom, he struggled with alcohol and drug addiction.
In 2005, Eminem admitted that he was hooked on sleeping pills, specifically the prescription drug Ambien. He revealed that he became addicted to the pills as they helped him get to sleep quickly and make more efficient use of his time while on tour. Eminem worked long hours with little rest, and Ambien allowed him to fall asleep swiftly. The rapper has admitted he had no idea when his drug use became an addiction. He only has hazy memories of those years when he was suffering from the condition. However, he eventually began taking up to 20 pills a day. In addition to Ambien, he also took other prescription medications, including Vicodin, Valium, and Xanax.
Eminem's road to recovery began with the support of his children, who inspired him to get sober and be present for them. He worked with a rehab counselor and underwent a challenging detoxification process. Eminem shared that he realized he could "be naturally happy without being on something" and that running gave him a natural high and helped him sleep. He also acknowledged that he has an "addict's brain," recognizing the importance of replacing his addiction with healthier habits.
Eminem's story serves as a testament to his resilience and a warning about the dangers of prescription drug abuse. He has used his platform to raise awareness and help others struggling with addiction.
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The impact of Ambien on Eminem's memory
In the early 2000s, Eminem struggled with an addiction to prescription sleep medication, specifically the drug Ambien (zolpidem). This addiction had a significant impact on his memory and cognitive function, which he has spoken about openly in interviews and in his music.
Ambien is a sedative-hypnotic drug that acts on the brain's GABA receptors, enhancing the effects of the neurotransmitter GABA, which slows down brain activity and induces sleep. While effective for treating insomnia, Ambien can have side effects including impaired memory and cognitive function, especially if taken long-term or in high doses.
Eminem has described his experience with Ambien addiction as a "haze" and a "blur," indicating significant memory impairment. He reported taking high doses of the drug, often combined with other substances, which likely exacerbated its impact on his memory. During this period, he would often engage in activities that he would later have no recollection of, including writing and recording music. In an interview with Rolling Stone, he stated, "There were times I'd be writing raps in my head, and in the morning I'd have no memory of it. I'd have pages and pages of just gibberish."
The rapper's memory issues extended beyond his creative work, affecting his personal life as well. He reported forgetting conversations and events, often requiring others to fill him in on what had happened. This led to feelings of disconnection and confusion, further exacerbating the sense of isolation he felt during this difficult period.
Eminem's struggle with Ambien addiction and the resulting memory issues ultimately served as a wake-up call, prompting him to seek help and make a change. He entered rehab and successfully overcame his addiction, though he continues to deal with some lingering effects on his memory. His experience highlights the serious impact that prescription drug abuse can have on cognitive function and the potential for long-term consequences, even with successful recovery.
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The start of Eminem's addiction
Eminem, born Marshall Bruce Mathers III, rose to fame in the late 1990s with the release of his second album, The Slim Shady LP. However, his career success coincided with a battle against alcohol and drug addiction.
Eminem's drug usage began at the start of his first album, as he experimented with various substances. He has stated that he did not take anything too hard until he became famous, and he did not have a drug of choice at that point. He explained that when he went on tour, people would give him free drugs.
Eminem's addiction to prescription drugs began when he was working long hours with little time to rest. He was given a sleeping pill to help him sleep quickly and make more efficient use of his time. This led him to seek other medications, including Vicodin, to help him relax and sleep at the end of the day. He also stated that the pills helped him manage the pain he was feeling.
Eminem's addiction to sleeping pills became public knowledge in 2005 when he cancelled his European tour and checked into rehab. He has since acknowledged the severity of his addiction, stating that he was taking up to 60 Valium and 30 Vicodin pills a day at the height of his addiction. He also relied on Ambien to help him sleep, stating that this drug "wiped out five years of my life".
Eminem's recovery from addiction has been a challenging process. He has credited his children as his inspiration to get sober and has worked with a rehab counsellor to detoxify his body. He has also taken up running as a way to naturally improve his mood and help him sleep.
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Eminem's addiction to opioids
Eminem, born Marshall Bruce Mathers III, is a world-renowned rap artist, music producer, songwriter, record executive, and actor. He first rose to fame in the late 1990s with the release of his second album, The Slim Shady LP. However, despite his success, Eminem has struggled with drug and alcohol addiction throughout his career.
Eminem's issues with addiction began when he was given a prescription sleeping pill to help him get to sleep quickly and make more efficient use of his time while on tour. This led him to seek out other medications, including opioids like Vicodin, to help him relax at the end of the day. At the peak of his addiction, Eminem was taking around 60 Valium and 30 Vicodin pills a day. He also struggled with methadone, suffering a near-fatal overdose in 2007.
In addition to opioids, Eminem has also battled addiction to alcohol and other prescription drugs. He has been open about his struggles, admitting that his addiction could have ended very differently. In a Radio 1 interview, he said, "I'm definitely thankful... I know there's so many addicts in this world and people who had problems like that that don't make it. So I'm thankful for that."
Eminem's road to recovery began in 2005 when he first sought help for his addiction, checking into rehab. However, his journey was not without setbacks. In 2006, the death of his best friend, DeShaun "Proof" Holton, caused him deeper trouble, and he relapsed within a month of being released from the hospital after his overdose. It was his children who ultimately inspired him to get serious about his recovery, and he worked with a rehab counselor to go through a difficult and painful detoxification process. Eminem has now been sober for over a decade and celebrates his triumph over addiction, serving as an anthem for those still struggling.
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Eminem's addiction to Valium and Vicodin
In 2005, Eminem cancelled his European Anger Management tour, citing exhaustion and "other medical issues". It was later revealed that the artist was in the hospital being treated for an addiction to sleeping pills.
Eminem has been open about his struggles with prescription drug addiction, including Valium and Vicodin. During the production of 8 Mile, Eminem worked 16-hour days and developed insomnia. He was introduced to Ambien by an associate, which led to his first experience of drug addiction. By the time his album Encore was released in 2004, Eminem was taking up to 60 Valium and 30 Vicodin pills a day. He would go into the studio with a pocket full of pills to get through recording sessions. Eminem described the feeling of taking Vicodin as "like this feeling of 'Ahh.' Like everything was not only mellow, but [I] didn't feel any pain".
Eminem has credited his family and fans for their support during his recovery. In 2024, he revealed that maintaining sobriety remains a daily challenge and that he uses mindfulness and therapy to cope with mental health struggles related to his past addiction.
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Frequently asked questions
Eminem was addicted to the prescription opioid Ambien, which he took to help him sleep.
Eminem was also addicted to Vicodin, Valium, and methadone.
Eminem was working long hours with little time to rest and was given a pill by a well-meaning person to help him get to sleep quickly.
Eminem checked into rehab in 2005 and worked with a rehab counsellor to detoxify his body. He also took up running, which helped him sleep and gave him a natural high.
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