Steven Tyler Admits Painkiller Addiction, Enters Rehab

By PopEater Staff Posted Dec 23rd 2009 06:26AM

Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler has spent decades shouldering the rock 'n' roll lifestyle, and ten years of performance injuries have taken their toll. Tyler has entered a rehab facility for pain management and an addiction to prescription painkillers, PEOPLE reports. His actress daughter Liv Tyler says, "We love him and are so proud that he is getting help to balance his pain management, not just for himself but for his family, friends and fans."

Tyler's daughter adds, "My family and I are in complete support of my dad's decision to seek treatment. He is a courageous man."

Tyler, 61, suffers chronic pain as a result of numerous injuries, and will most likely require surgery on his knees and feet to correct the lingering issues. His physician, Dr. Brian McKeon, tells PEOPLE, "The balance between managing his pain and avoiding addiction is tenuous and difficult and his bravery in persevering through rigorous touring is admirable. As with many athletes, Steven put his performance first as he struggled with acute pain for years."

The rock star, who battled drug addiction throughout the '70s and '80s, released a statement about his decision to enter rehab. "With the help of my family and team of medical professionals, I am taking responsibility for the management of my pain and am eager to be back on the stage and in the recording studio with my bandmates Joe Perry, Joey Kramer, Tom Hamilton and Brad Whitford," he writes. "I love Aerosmith; I love performing as the lead singer in Aerosmith. I am grateful for all of the support and love I am receiving and am committed to getting things taken care of."

Tyler also tried rehab in May of 2008. At the time, he announced that he checked in because he "really needed a safe environment to recuperate" from painful foot surgery. Tyler later admitted that what he really needed help with an addiction to the sleep and pain medications he was taking following the surgery.

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=723183&pid=723182&uts=1261569351

http://www.popeater.com/mm_track/popeater/movies/?s_channel=us.moviespop&s_account=aolnews,aolsvc&omni=1&ke=1

http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf

Now Entering CelebRehab

Musician Steven Tyler has entered a rehab facility for pain management and an addiction to prescription painkillers, with the support of his doctor and family.

Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

Celeb Rehab

Burt Reynolds has checked himself into rehab, after back surgery left him struggling with an addiction to painkillers.

Lester Cohen, WireImage

Melanie Griffith's ongoing struggle to stay sober has led her back to rehab, RadarOnline.com has confirmed. The actress is seeking treatment for undisclosed issues "to reinforce her commitment to stay healthy," her publicist Robin Baum told Star Magazine.

Carlos Alvarez, Getty Images

Jack Osbourne admitted a battle with drugs and depression in a recent interview with In Touch Weekly, saying that he tried to kill himself in 2003 with an overdose of prescription pills, including OxyContin and Valium. He checked into Visions Adolescent Treatment Center and says he's been sober for 6 years.

Frank Micelotta, Getty Images

Kelly Osbourne checked into rehab for the third time in five years in early 2009, and she's now admitting she'd been addicted to painkillers since she was just 13 years old.

Chris Pizzello, AP

No, things are not A-OK with Norman Cook, aka Fatboy Slim, who has entered rehab to treat alcoholism. The 'Weapon of Choice' mastermind has made no secret of his love of drinking. He once remarked that the only difference between himself and his alias Fatboy was "a bad Hawaiian shirt and a bottle of vodka."

Gareth Cattermole, Getty Images

Actress Tara Reid checked herself into Promises in December, the popular-with-celebrities rehabilitation center, to treat alcohol addiction.

Kevin Winter, Getty Images

Former Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler ended his 'Celebrity Rehab' run, and a day after the final episode aired, he was ordered to attend a state-sanctioned rehab center in order to avoid jailtime.

Michael Bezjian, WireImage

Mackenzie Phillips went back to rehab after pleading guilty to cocaine possession stemming from her arrest at the Los Angeles airport in August. The actress has battled drug addiction since her days on 1970s sitcom "One Day at a Time."

Michael Buckner, Getty Images

Colin Farrell recently talked with a BBC show about his five-week stint in rehab in 2005 for drugs and alcohol. He says before seeking treatment, he "was dying."

Amy Sancetta, AP

David Duchovny is seen walking in New York City in October, just days after leaving rehab, where he was treated for sex addiction.

Asadorian-Mejia, Splash News

Tags: Aerosmith, liv tyler, LivTyler, steven tyler, StevenTyler

Comments

(72)

Wednesday 23 December

By pnut166

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Bravo, Mr. Tyler! So glad to see you getting your house in order. Foot surgery is indeed one of the most painful types of surgery there is, and the need for narcs is totally understandable. I sincerely hope that your ailments can be cured and not just masked by painkillers, and that your addictions can be reined in. It takes a big man to admit to the world their problems - I salute you, sir !

By Mike

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

REHAB IS FOR QUITTERS!

By Minette Sweeney

Every time he takes an injury he gets addicted again. It's a vicious circle. But when he no longer needs the meds for pain he goes and gets straight. Good for him!!!

By Patr728

Mike. you are a jackass! Rehab is NOT for quitters, it is for brave people who want to try to beat the drug addiction!!!!

Vote down Vote up Report this

PATR728 - REHAB IS FOR QUITTERS is an old expression, as in quitting drugs, dork.

By eddie

Steven Tyler looks like an old baglady. Is he trying to emulate Carly Simon?

By Charlie

God, no truer words spoken...one ugly ass dude. Can't he arrange some facial work (ala Michael Jackson) while he's in rehab??? I wish him the BEST.

By MICKEY

Dude looks like a lady, bada, ba dada, dude looks like a lady!!!

By ambimas

Rehab is for Quitters!!!!!! Your 60 years old and have all the money you need so go ahead and snort up!!!!!!! your last 5 albums sucked!!!

By Roberto

Hey...Haters like you need to be lined up and taken out! Do something with your own life you Jerk!!!

By Mufinmom

Way to go Steve-O! Hang in there and take it one day at a time! We're rooting for you.

By The Martins

Yeah, drug addiction hasn't hurt my music collection any. Notice how most musicians suck after they sober up? Not advocating that they continue their death spiral mind you.....

BLLSHT!!!!...Ohhhh Yes you are advocating!...

By dan

Heroin, Cocaine and the rest of the rock & roll drugs have done more for music than any technical advancement. So many bands from the 60's to today made their best music smashed off their ass! They all had to quit or do themselves in and I understand that but the fact remains, drugs have made the best albums for decades.

By Fred

Thanks Dan for your response to The Martins. Now I understand why the music since the 60s has been generally bad.

By nick

Who gives a rats ass, call Obama he has a health plan for you.

By Bob Mussell

Steve got sober before and he'll do it again.Whether any oy you people know it or not he has also helped a lot of people on their way to recovery in the past.Best of luck to you.

He looks like a hundred miles of bad road, looks like a good match for Oprah.

By robert paouncic

they have not had a goood album since the 70,s some of there new songs suck especially jamie;s got a gun steven admitted he snorted Peru 15 years ago

By Shannon

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

It's all a matter of oppinion I guess. My favorite all time Aerosmith song is "Living on the Edge" from the 80's. And yes, I'm old enough and was a fan in the 70's as well. And they may be old, but they still give an amazing concert. Full of energy, lots of audience contact and they sound great!

Page 1 of 4