Elton John Counsels Eminem on Drug Addiction

Sir Elton John told a radio audience on the weekend that Eminem had called him for assistance some 18 months ago and that he had been helping the rapper overcome a prescription pill addiction ever since.

Sir John is no stranger to the excesses of an entertainment lifestyle, having survived through years of drugs and debauchery and ultimately, a substantial cocaine addiction in the 1980s. Elton described his addiction experience by saying, "Initially, it was fun, but I am not a man who can just do one of anything. I have got that kind of nature. So I could not do one gram of coke, I had to do six grams and then I would want more. It ended up being incredibly depressing."

Eminem, who almost died from a methadone overdose last year, told reporters that it was because of Elton’s past addiction experience that he called the singer for support, saying, "[Elton] had a substance-abuse problem in the past. So when I first wanted to get sober, I called him, because he's somebody in the business who can relate to the lifestyle and how hectic things can be."

Elton told the radio audience that Eminem was recovering well, saying, "I've been helping Eminem in the last 18 months and he is doing brilliantly.”

In addition to Eminem, Sir John has offered addiction counsel and support to Robert Downey Jr. and Pete Doherty.