Jackie 'O' Henderson on Addiction and the Fear of Falling Again

Jackie 'O' Henderson has been open about her journey through addiction and recovery, revealing how the past year has brought significant personal growth. The 50-year-old radio host made a heartfelt announcement on The Kyle and Jackie O Show last year, disclosing that she had sought rehab in 2022 for drug and alcohol addiction. Since then, she has reflected on the challenges and progress she has made.

Her battle with addiction began during a difficult time in her life, following her separation from Lee Henderson, with whom she shares a 14-year-old daughter, Kitty. Jackie admitted that the public's reaction to her struggles was unexpected, describing the past 12 months as a "shedding that final skin." She shared these thoughts with T Australia: The New York Times Style Magazine, expressing that she no longer feels defined by her past.

"I thought [addiction] would be the one thing that’s attached to my name from that point on, but it doesn’t seem to be the case," she said. Jackie also discussed her fears of being labeled as an "ex-junkie or a drug addict" due to her struggles. However, she noted that people may have shifted their focus because she did not hide her situation.

Jackie opened up about the "dark place" she experienced during the height of her addiction. She described the period as something she would never want to revisit. "I look back on [my addiction] and think, it was such a dark place. I would never, ever want to go back to that," she said. Despite this, she emphasized that she has not faced any relapses.

While she occasionally wishes she could enjoy a glass of Champagne with friends, Jackie finds contentment in her sober lifestyle. "I think when you’re in good company and you’re enjoying yourself, you realise you actually don’t need [alcohol], surprisingly," she added.

Her journey through addiction and recovery is detailed in her memoir, The Whole Truth, which was released last year. All proceeds from the book were donated to Odyssey House Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre, an organization that provides critical support to individuals seeking treatment but struggling financially.

At the peak of her addiction, Jackie was taking around 10-12 Stilnox sleeping pills and 24 Panadeine Forte daily. Her co-host, Kyle Sandilands, was unaware of her struggles at the time, as she only shared the information with her closest family and her best friend and manager, Gemma O'Neill.

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If you or someone you know is dealing with drug and alcohol addiction, support is available. You can contact The National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.

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