Tommy Lee Opens Up About his Battle with Alcoholism and Recovery

Celebrities

By Danica Daniel

Published Oct. 17, 2023, 4:57 p.m. ET

Tommy Lee Reveals Past Alcoholism Battle

In a recent interview with Bill Maher, Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee opened up about his struggle with alcoholism during his heyday in the rock band. Lee admitted to drinking “2 gallons of vodka a day,” stating that he was trying to kill himself at the time.

During his appearance on Maher’s podcast, “Club Random,” Lee discussed the allure of alcohol and how easily it can consume an individual. “Alcohol’s such a f—king weird one,” Lee explained. “It’s easy to fall in love with, the way it makes you feel, the way it makes you relax, and then all of a sudden you’re, like, ‘F–k! I’m drinking 2 gallons of vodka a day?’ You’re trying to kill yourself now.”

Lee’s revelation shocked Maher, who questioned the toll it must have taken on his liver. Lee confirmed that he sustained this level of drinking for a long time, ending around 1990. Despite his excessive alcohol consumption, Lee expressed his disbelief that his body has managed to stay relatively healthy. He recently underwent a full-body scan, which revealed no major issues. “I pinch myself on a daily basis,” Lee said. “I find that f—ing impossible. This is impossible.”

In his memoir, “The Dirt,” released in 2001, Lee shared additional details about his wild past, including his use of drugs like ecstasy and pills alongside alcohol. Understanding the damage his rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle has inflicted on his body, Lee acknowledges that his liver is on the verge of failure. He stated that the band made a collective decision to clean up their act, as they realized someone could potentially die from their destructive habits.

However, Lee now celebrates a year of sobriety, although he admits that these celebrations come dangerously close to leading him back to relapse. Maher jokingly remarked that celebrating sobriety after a year is “peak rock star on so many levels.”

Despite his tumultuous past, Tommy Lee is embracing a new sober lifestyle and focusing on the positive aspects of life.

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