Profiles Of Addiction Recovery | Flavor Flav

Rapper and hip-hop artist Flavor Flav is well-known as the Public Enemy hype man. Later in his career, he became known for starring in a variety of reality shows. 

However, Flavor Flav is less well-known for his struggle with drug abuse. For decades, he dealt with cocaine and alcohol addiction.

Dealing & Using Crack Cocaine

Flavor Flav’s struggle with drugs and alcohol began in the 1980s when Public Enemy was just beginning.

As a drug dealer, he would use his own supply of cocaine. He called himself his own “best customer.” Additionally, he’s stated fame and having a lot of money from his successful career is what spurred on his addiction. 

He also noted on the Off the Record with DJ Akademiks podcast that when his addiction was at its worst, he would spend between $2,400-$2,600 a day on crack cocaine.

Intervention, Rehab, & Relapse

In 1993, Flavor Flav’s family had an intervention and he checked into a rehab center for crack cocaine abuse. Unfortunately, while the rehab was successful for a time, he later relapsed and went back to the drug.

He went to rehab again in 1997, but his recovery didn’t last long. He was back to dealing and using drugs once again. 

Overcoming Crack Addiction & Alcohol Abuse

It wasn’t until 2003 when his partner Chuck D saw him at his lowest and recommended Flavor Flav move from NYC to Los Angeles to work on his recovery. 

During the late 2000s, Flavor Flav finally conquered his crack addiction. Unfortunately, he still struggled with alcohol abuse, and that led to a number of issues with law enforcement. But eventually, he stopped drinking alcohol as well.

Personal-Style Of Recovery

He has been off crack cocaine for over 15 years and off alcohol and cigarettes for almost three years. Although, he does admit that he still smokes marijuana.

He views his recovery journey as “God [wanting him] to live” in order to be “a mouthpiece to the world.” He wants to teach people about addiction by talking about the mistakes he made.

About Flavor Flav

Flavor Flav was born William Jonathan Drayton Jr. on March 16, 1959, in Roosevelt, New York. He primarily grew up in Freeport.

As a young boy, he sang in the youth choir at his church and mastered the piano, drums, and guitar. He dropped out of Freeport High School in the 11th grade. At that point, he had already been in and out of jail for burglary.

Public Enemy

He later attended Adelphi University in Long Island, New York, and that’s where he met Carlton Ridenhour who would become his rapping partner Chuck D. It wasn’t until 1985 that the two founded Public Enemy. 

A year later, in 1986, they came out with their album Public Enemy #1. That album led to them being signed to Def Jam Records.

Their next album was Yo! Bum Rush the Show in 1987 where Flavor Flav served as the comic relief to Chuck D’s more serious style. In 1988, they came out with It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back which went double platinum. 

By the time “Fight the Power” came out in 1989, they were household names. It was during this time that Flavor Flav became known for wearing a big clock around his neck.

Reality T.V.

Flavor Flav later went on to star in a variety of television shows. It started with the reality show The Surreal Life and then he went on to Strange Love. His most famous show was Flavor of Love, where he looked for love among a group of contestants. It ran for three seasons.

In 2011, he came out with his book Flavor Flav: The Icon The Memoir.

Flavor Flav has six Grammy Award nominations and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He is the father of eight children.

Recovery Is Possible

If Flavor Flav’s history of substance abuse sounds familiar because you or a loved one are struggling with drug use and drug addiction as well, you don’t have to struggle alone. 

Our experienced team at Ark Behavioral Health is here to help you start your recovery journey. We offer a variety of addiction treatment options including detox, inpatient and outpatient treatment, and aftercare support.

To learn more, please call our helpline today.