Stevie Nicks: A Klonopin Addiction Consumed My 40s

Telegraph:

During the 10 or so years that she was addicted to cocaine - back in the days when Fleetwood Mac's album credits would include a 'thanks' to their dealer - Stevie Nicks estimates that she must have spent more than $1 million on the drug. 'At $100 a pop - that's a gram - and we were the ones who were buying it for everybody else; not only us, but all our friends.' Nicks thinks about this. 'Actually, I would say millions.'

It all came to end in 1986, when a plastic surgeon advised her that if she wanted her nose to remain on her face she should stop snorting coke immediately. (The legacy was a hole in her septum the size of a five cent piece.) So it was off to the Betty Ford Clinic in Palm Springs, which was like 'the army' - meetings from six in the morning until nine at night. 'Tammy Wynette was there, and one of James Taylor's backing singers.' After 30 days she had an epiphany, and that was it for the cocaine.

Read the whole story: Telegraph

Comments

[RogerHWerner]

It's too bad more people don't talk about drug problems. Getting strung out on Coke was Nicks' fault but the prescription drug problems are sadly too common. Most prescription drugs are over prescribed. I hurt my back 10 years ago and transitioned from Vicodin to fentanyl to oral morphine and methadone. I always used the drugs as prescribed looking to my doctor of 20 years provide appropriate care...a mistake. Doctor's hands were tied by his employer. I needed professional pain management not available though my HMO and they weren't about to pay for non-network services. I lost interest in work and life, food tasted like chalk, and dying began to look pretty good. It took me a couple of years to win my worker's compensation claim and finally got professional pain management. The first thing they did was end the narcotic analgesics. I spent 12 days in detox and came home only to find myself suffering from something called post acute withdrawal symptoms. I laid in bed for 2 months, lost 25 pounds, and came close to killing myself I was so miserable. I took to chugging two or three warm beers because they made me feel better but figured that would lead to alcoholism so I stopped. Then one day I was fine. Overnight I felt better. I regained my energy and weight, taste for food, and, started to enjoy life. I took myself off Ambien (sleeping pill). I took Ambien because narcotics make me hyper. It took 3 weeks of not sleeping and feeling generally crappy to detox off Ambien. It's been a few years but I feel normal. Prescription drugs came close to ruining and perhaps ending my life. Stevie Nicks isn't alone and I feel nothing but empathy for what she went through. And yes, it feel good to talk abaout what I went through.

[WilliamWallace]

Leave Stevie alone. She's a doll, and has a great heart.

[LeoMarvin]

I'm not sure I'd take Mel Gibson's word for that.

[speakyourmind]

I'M WITH YOU WILL!

[LeoMarvin]

Who came up with this title for a post that doesn't even mention Klonopin? The Telegraph article certainly does, but then it doesn't put it in the title.

[SEQUOIABISON]

I love Stevie Nicks, what an angelic voice.

We all have our demons and sometimes life is not easy to cope with.

So glad she survived the ordeal.

Hope to hear more from that beautiful lady.

[tuckgraph]

That was a great article. I was a Fleetwood Mac junkie from Rumours to Tusk. The biggest surprise in the article was Joe Walsh! One of my rock 'n roll heroes. I remember seeing a concert with Stevie, and Joe opening. Joe got the crowd so rocking, it really was a stupid idea. By the time Stevie came on, the crowd was pushing the stage, and Stevie was "fragile." "Please stop, I'm going to cry.." The crowd was yelling "Joe, Joe, Joe, Joe!" I always thought it was a weird pairing for a tour. Now it makes sense!

[kellygrrrl]

actually, not onlyhas she been very upfront about her many struggles with drug addiction (long before she hit 40, Broonie) ...
she has also been very upfront about her personality and her inability to put anyone else's feelings, needs ahead of her own. She has admitted that it would be virtually impossible for another human being to live with her for a long period of time.
So she's just like so many other artists, self-absorbed egomaniac.
I do appreciate that Fleetwood Mac playing out their personal dramas left us with some of the best music of our time -- rather than just photos of crotches and mugshots and messed up offspring.

[wadenelson1]

Umm, I realize this is an interview with Stevie Nicks, but does she ever even THINK about other people, their hopes, needs, and dreams?

A good case of poverty might return some humility and gratitude to this woman who has had it all.

[martinchill]

umm, do you ever read articles before you comment on them?

try it sometime.

[anastasiabeaverhousen]

She's a great singer. She's honest about her addiction.

Besides, she's 60 friggin years old - I can only hope I look that good at 60!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jain]

Always agree on talent part - clue: PLASTIC SURGERY: 60 is OLD.

[sugarmagnolia]

Her crusade against Klonopin is ill-informed. Her doctor prescribed way too much -- but the drug can be a life-saver if prescribed and taken correctly.

[rektruax]

I met her in Detroit years ago. She seemed like a nice person then.

Admitting to your personal battle with [insert whatever here] seems to be what most people her age do.

I guess the best way to never get hooked on drugs or alcohol is to never "try" them. I know it sounds corny but it's true.

[readyforchange]

It was great to read an article about Stevie Nicks. She has been out of the limelight for so long.

Personally, I love her music and still listen to her solo releases. She my be strange, but I love her.

One of the greatest "rock and roll stars" ever!

[speakyourmind]

AMEN! Stevie Nicks is one the best songwriters that has ever graced this earth. She's beautiful, creative and honest.

[FITNESSSF]

Ms. Nicks has always been upfront about addiction and what ill effects it has had on her. Love her or hate her, she speaks out....

http://www.dotmen.net/cos.html

[VictorLudorum]

angelina and brad pitt couldnt tear the regime wall....

[GCnDC]

This chick is crazy. I have a friend who was working security at Ceasar's Palace a few years ago. Stevie Nicks was performing and after the show she threw a fit because she couldn't find her Folger's coffee. When they finally found it, she wouldn't let anyone else in the kitchen, she made the coffee, and then was dancing around the room with the coffee cup and singing about how she found her coffee. No one ever did find out what was in that coffee but it must of been strong.
And he said she looked terrible.

[abbiehoffmansghost]

I think she and Charlie Manson would have made a nice couple. Call me crazy....

[LeoMarvin]

I realize Fleetwood Mac was huge, but I found their music aggressively innocuous. It was annoying. Manson's music on the other hand -- seriously, have you heard it? -- while disturbing, is also a lot more interesting. As for calling you crazy, I'd be happy to, but it's hard to call anyone crazy in the same breath as Charlie Manson.

[speakyourmind]

OK crazy. That you are.