Jamie Lee Curtis, the iconic actress and star of the “Halloween” franchise, recently spoke out about her decade-long struggle with substance abuse. In a candid interview with Joe Scarborough on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Curtis opened up about her addiction to opiates and how grateful she is to have overcome it.
“I was an opiate addict, and I liked a good opiate buzz,” Curtis revealed. “And if fentanyl was available, as easily available as it is today on the street, I’d be dead.”
Curtis went on to explain that her sobriety has given her a crystal clear perspective on life. She understands how lucky she is to have avoided making “terrible” life-altering decisions while under the influence of drugs. “There are women in prison whose lives have been shattered by drugs and alcohol, not because they were violent felons, not because they were horrible people, but because they were addicts,” Curtis said.
Curtis also touched on the devastating impact of addiction on her family. Her brother Nicholas died at the age of 21 due to a heroin overdose. In the interview, Curtis emphasized the importance of understanding the alternative to sobriety, and the consequences of addiction.
“My gratitude is enormous because I have this incredible life,” Curtis said. “I’m so hyper aware of what the alternative is.”
Curtis’s journey to sobriety has been a long and difficult one, but she is grateful to have found the strength to overcome it. She has been sober for over 24 years, and she attributes her success to her ability to understand the consequences of addiction.
“I had a 10-year run, stealing, conniving. No one knew. No one,” Curtis said. “I’m lucky. I didn’t make terrible decisions high, or under the influence, that then for the rest of my life I regret.”
Curtis’s story is a powerful reminder of the dangers of addiction and the importance of sobriety. Her journey to sobriety has been a difficult one, but it has also been a rewarding one. She is grateful for the opportunity to “grow old” and to continue living her incredible life.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there is help available. Contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357) for assistance with substance use disorder or mental health issues.
Sources
https://www.today.com/health/jamie-lee-curtis-drug-use-rcna96943
