Jackie 'O' Henderson Shares Life-After-Addiction Story, Celebrates Two Years of Sobriety
Jackie 'O' Henderson opened up about her near-fatal battle with addiction, revealing she consumed a staggering mix of sleeping pills and painkillers daily. After struggling for years, she found help in rehab and is now celebrating two years of sobriety. Her memoir, "The Whole Truth," details her journey, including the emotional turmoil during the Covid-19 lockdown, and addresses the impact of her addiction on her relationships.
Jackie 'O' Henderson has opened up about her harrowing experience with addiction, expressing gratitude for her survival after consuming a significant quantity of medication daily. The radio host, aged 49, candidly shared her struggles during a recent podcast interview.
Jackie's Daily Drug Intake During Her Addiction Struggles
In her revealing conversation on the Mental As Anyone podcast, Jackie disclosed that she was taking approximately 10 to 12 Stilnox/Ambien sleeping pills and an alarming 24 Panadeine Forte painkillers each day. She emphasized the incredible toll this had on her body and questioned how she managed to function under such circumstances. Jackie explained that her body had developed a tolerance to the medications, suggesting that her high intake merely helped maintain a semblance of normalcy.
Reflecting on Her Journey to Sobriety
Jackie detailed her path to recovery in her memoir, The Whole Truth, where she recounted her 28-day rehabilitation stay at the renowned Betty Ford Center in November 2022. As she celebrates two years of sobriety on November 14, she shared her plans to commemorate this significant milestone with a celebratory dinner alongside friends. She noted that it was her best friend, Gemma O'Neill, who reminded her of this important date.
Positive Reception of Her Memoir
Following the release of her memoir, Jackie expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support she has received from the public. She acknowledged the trust people have placed in her by sharing their personal stories of addiction, highlighting the beauty of this connection. Jackie also took the initiative to inform her ex-husbands about the memoir's contents beforehand, ensuring that they would not be caught off guard.
The Early Signs of Her Addiction
Jackie's struggle with addiction dates back more than 15 years, beginning with a prescription for a potent opioid painkiller for endometriosis. Despite initially recognizing the potential issue and stopping the medication, she returned to it after her marriage to Lee ended, seeing it as an escape. This led to an escalation in her drug use, particularly during the isolating times of the Covid-19 pandemic, which exacerbated her struggles.
Keeping Her Addiction Hidden from Loved Ones
Jackie revealed that she kept her addiction secret from her loved ones, using the excuse of long Covid to explain her extended leave from work while she sought help at the Betty Ford Clinic. In a heartfelt apology to her listeners, she confessed that she had been untruthful by omitting specifics about her struggles, emphasizing the importance of focusing on her recovery. Jackie acknowledged the difficulty of managing her personal battles while maintaining her public persona.
