Warning: This article contains discussion of substance abuse which some readers may find distressing.
Eminem has openly shared that he nearly lost his life due to an overdose, and how the profound experience of waking up changed his life trajectory.
It’s well-known that Slim Shady is no stranger to controversy, having faced backlash over various lyrics throughout his nearly four-decade career.
From substance use and driving under the influence to making potentially offensive comments about women, the LGBTQ+ community, and other public figures, the rapper from Missouri has tackled many topics, blending his real-life experiences with fictional narratives and bold opinions in his music.
However, in the new documentary titled STANS, the 52-year-old artist discusses how he has transformed significantly from the person who released The Slim Shady LP in 1999.
The father of three shared that he has maintained sobriety for over 17 years, a journey that began after a life-threatening overdose.
The ‘Lose Yourself’ artist explained he was caught in a ‘vicious cycle’ of depression and dependency on ‘more pills’ back in 2007 until he found himself waking up in a hospital bed.
“I didn’t know what the f*** happened. It seemed like I fell asleep, and I woke up with tubes in me and s***,” he recounted in the documentary according to PEOPLE. “I wanted to get up. I couldn’t move.”
“After the overdose, I came home going, ‘Yo, bro, I need something… I’m going to die if I don’t do something’,” he added.
Following his entry into recovery, Eminem wrote and released his 2009 album Relapse, which he acknowledged had a ‘lukewarm’ reception from fans but further motivated him.
“That also turned the lights on and I thought, ‘You’ve gotta do something different,'” he continued. “Why don’t you try embracing sobriety?
“I realized I’m not embarrassed anymore about it, and I started treating sobriety like a superpower. I was proud of the fact that I could quit.”
In April 2024, the ‘Without Me’ artist proudly celebrated his 16 years of sobriety, sharing a photo of a commemorative chip on Instagram.
Mathers also discussed his recovery journey in a 2022 episode of Paul Rosenberg’s Paul Pod podcast, expressing how overcoming addiction allowed him to find joy in making music again and experience genuine happiness.
“I remember when I first got sober and all the s*** was out of my system, I remember just being, like, really happy and everything was f***ing new to me again,” he stated at the time.
In the documentary, fans who attended AMC theatres for the limited screening had the opportunity to hear the famed rapper discuss his ‘complicated relationship’ between his public persona and private life, featuring exclusive footage of Eminem.
“It offers a raw, loud, and revealing journey across his career – and the passionate audience that has grown with him,” the synopsis promises.
The documentary coincides with Eminem’s amusing and surprise appearance in Happy Gilmore 2 alongside Adam Sandler, where his character, Donald Jr, playfully taunts Happy by repeatedly calling him a ‘jacka**’.
STANS was shown in AMC movie theaters for a limited period until August 10, and it is expected to become available for streaming worldwide on Paramount+ later this year.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction and need confidential support, you can reach out to American Addiction Centers at (888) 324-0595, available 24/7, or visit their website for more information.