Profiles Of Addiction Recovery | Slash

Legendary rockstar and Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash is well-known for his skills on the guitar and his musical prowess in Guns N Roses, Velvet Revolver, and his solo career. 

Unfortunately, he was also known for his drug and alcohol abuse while on and off the road. Luckily, he sought out help and has been sober for more than 15 years.

Alcohol & Drug Abuse

Slash has a well-documented issue with heaving drinking and drug abuse. But while he used alcohol, cocaine, pills, and heroin, he said that heroin was the drug that he had the most addiction issues with. That being said, he struggled with both drug and alcohol abuse.

Of his battles with drugs, he noted, “I was fortunate. I didn’t die, and I didn’t go to prison. Because that’s usually what happens with anybody who doesn’t come to terms with it at some point.”

He has also said that he usually did drugs and alcohol to pass the time and he said he was lucky he didn’t tie his drug use to his creative process.

Overdoses & Cardiomyopathy

Slash has also said the drugs “killed [him] on multiple occasions.” 

He overdosed and flatlined multiple times over the years. At 35, he was diagnosed with a form of congestive heart failure called cardiomyopathy. It was due to his chronic alcohol abuse and because of his heart issues, he had a defibrillator implanted. 

Recovery Journey

Slash started his recovery journey when he got off drugs in 2005. His reason for starting recovery was his kids. He had two kids at the time and had to live in a hotel because he couldn’t be around them. He wanted to be there for them more.

Eventually, Slash realized that everything he originally liked about drugs the first time he used them was no longer the case. He was miserable and he decided that he needed to go to a facility so he could get away from everyone and focus on his addiction.

Rehab

Once in rehab, Slash embraced it fully and found that once he was on the road to recovery, he could redirect all his energy to music instead of doing drugs and alcohol.

He originally went to a golf resort to “get clean” but he also brought all his drugs with him. Needless to say, it didn’t turn out well. But once he got into a real rehab facility, he took to it and came out the other end happy and ready to be creative and work on his music.

Continued Sobriety

On his continued sobriety over the years, Slash says, “I don’t think there’s ever a thing called ‘sober for good.’ You’re always practicing sobriety for as long as you possibly can.”

About Slash

Slash was born Saul Hudson on July 23, 1965, in Hampstead, London, England. He moved to Los Angeles with his father when he was five years old and was given the nickname Slash by actor Seymour Cassel.

Guns N’ Roses

His music career began in 1983 when he joined a glam metal band called Hollywood Rose. From there, he joined Guns N’ Roses (GNR) in 1985. The band consisted of Axl Rose, bassist Duff McKagan, drummer Steven Adler, and Izzy Stradlin. Slash replaced Tracii Guns as lead guitarist.

Supergroups

In 1994, after tensions were at their peak in Guns N’ Roses between Slash, Axl Rose, and the rest of his bandmates, he went on to form a supergroup called Slash’s Snakepit. Eight years later, he co-founded another supergroup Velvet Revolver with Scott Weiland. 

Solo Albums & Accolades

Slash released five solo albums with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators. The records included Slash (2010), Apocalyptic Love (2012), World on Fire (2014), Living the Dream (2018), and his new album 4 (2022). He then returned to Guns N’ Roses in 2016.

Over the years, he has also been named one of the top guitarists of all time, including by Time Magazine and Rolling Stone. He was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 as a member of Guns N’ Roses.

Recovery Is Possible

If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol and/or drug abuse like Slash did, you can receive help and start your recovery journey as well. 

At Ark Behavioral Health, our treatment providers can help you find the right treatment plan for you. We offer a wide variety of addiction treatment options, including detox, inpatient and outpatient treatment, medication-assisted treatment, and aftercare support.

For more information on how we make recovery possible, please call our helpline today.