Steve-O on Getting Sober: 'I Had Been Spinning Out of Control for Some Time'

By Nicki Gostin Posted Nov 17th 2010 12:21PM

Steve-O is perhaps best known for the extreme stunts he's performed over the years as part of the 'Jackass' crew, which have included stapling his scrotum to his thigh and lighting his head on fire. But the performer, who can currently be seen in the big screen hit 'Jackass 3D' and will be appearing at Caroline's on Broadway from Nov. 24-28, is nothing like his onscreen persona. Instead, he's thoughtful, honest and surprisingly sweet. Steve-O recently took a little time to talk to PopEater about his newfound sobriety and the "dark places" he visited as an addict.

"Initially, my thinking was, 'I'm Steve O! I'm in the position where I can do a lot of good in the world. If I turn my life around I can lead by example,'" Steve-O -- whose real name is Stephen Glover -- told PopEater. "I had a crazy idea that I was going to be doing the rest of the world a big favor if I got clean and sober. That's what gave me the willingness to go to rehab.

Congrats on the success of the new movie. Are you surprised by it?
I don't think it's terribly surprising. I think it's a barometer of the downward spiral of our society. The more popular 'Jackass' is, the more trouble our society is in.

Really?
Maybe a little bit. Then again, it's not necessarily a new style of comedy, the 'Three Stooges' did it for years.

How long have you been sober?
Two-and-a-half years. For a guy like me, it's a long time.

What was your moment of clarity?
I had been spinning out of control for some time. There was a lot of really dark stuff going on. I don't think it was really any one thing. I was out of control. People were starting to say I was going to be dead soon, and they were probably right ... Part of rehab involves taking a really honest look at yourself and your actions, and when I looked at myself and my actions, I really didn't like what I saw.

I know there was an intervention.
I had Johnny Knoxville come with most of the crew of 'Jackass' and they came to my apartment and forced me into a psych ward. It wasn't the style where the addict has a choice about whether or not to go. They locked me up in a psych ward, and while I was in there it kind of dawned on me that it was time to do something. It's funny; it's kind of a joke that writes itself, you know you have a drug problem when Johnny Knoxville does an intervention on you.

California has a 51/50 law, where if people are deemed to be harmful to themselves or others you can lock them up for 72 hours in the psych ward. They did that to me. When I got to the hospital and I realized I wasn't going to be able to explain that it was all a big misunderstanding, I became really belligerent and throwing chairs, so they changed my status to 52/50, which means a two week hold. I had two weeks to think about my situation. It only took seven days for me to come to terms with the idea of getting help.

When did you realize you'd hit rock bottom?
I can't say I even really hit my bottom until I'd already been sober for 100 days. After 100 days, the fog really cleared enough for me to realize it was me who needed the favor. That's exactly how it turned out. Really having examined myself and my situation, I felt like I really hated myself, I couldn't forgive myself, I really didn't want to live. I felt suicidal at that point.

So I went into psych ward number two and when I was in there, I was writing in my journal and at the bottom -- after writing about wanting to kill myself -- I wrote this is what we call self-pity. I realized I wasn't suicidal. I just needed to create a new history and stop doing all the things that made me feel so bad.

What is your life like now?
I lead a very simple life now. It's important to me that I water my plants. I take care of two rescue dogs. I volunteer at a nursing home. I live in a two bedroom apartment. I drive a Nissan. I'm mindful about helping other people who are going through similar situations that I went through. That's really the basis. It's learning to help other people and to be concerned. That's really the foundation of recovery.

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Just 'Jackass'

Steve-O and Jason 'Wee Man' Acuna arrive at the "Jackass 3D" Los Angeles Premiereat Mann Chinese 6 on October 13, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. "Jackass 3D" Los Angeles Premiere - Arrivals Mann Chinese 6 Los Angeles, CA United States October 13, 2010 Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.com To license this image (62046195), contact WireImage.com

Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.com

WireImage.com

Burlesque Premiere

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 15: Singers/actresses Christina Aguilera (L) and Cher pose at the after party for the premiere of Screen Gems' "Burlesque" at The W Hotel on November 15, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Burlesque Premiere

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 15: Singer/actress Cher (L) and Screen Gems president Clint Culpepper pose at the after party for the premiere of Screen Gems' "Burlesque" at The W Hotel on November 15, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Burlesque Premiere

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 15: Singer/actress Cher poses at the after party for the premiere of Screen Gems' "Burlesque" at The W Hotel on November 15, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Burlesque Premiere

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 15: (L-R) Writer/director Steven Antin and singers/actresses Christina Aguilera and Cher pose at the after party for the premiere of Screen Gems' "Burlesque" at The W Hotel on November 15, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Burlesque Premiere

HOLLYWOOD - NOVEMBER 15: Writer/Director Steven Antin, Christina Aguilera and Cher at Screen Gems Los Angeles Premiere Party of "Burlesque" at W Hollywood Hotel on November 15, 2010 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/WireImage)

Burlesque Premiere

Tags: Jackass, Steve-o

Comments

(70)

Saturday 20 November

By Jaime

Vote down Vote up Report this

Way to go!! My husband is struggling with sobriety & I see the changes everyday he is sober & understand the strength you have had to make it 2 1/2 years. Much respect for you & thank for sharing your story, it gives others hope!!

Sunday 21 November

By Sandi

Glad you have been clean for 2 1/2 years. Don't know how you became a actor...you are so ugly.....and can not act

By mixnmatch4

How does someone be this stupid, and ugly...and not be stoned out of their goard? I mean, what childish acts? C'mon folks! Quit giving these losers 15 more minutes of fame!

By dennis

steveo congradulations on getting sober. u are a great person and a great actor been their done that and god does love us. keep trucking to your new life.u will love it

By Shawn

Ok Steve-o now that you are sober and you want to help others, go give Bam Margera an intervention, that guy is now spiraling out of control.

By calidude

way to go steve...happy for u buddy....its not about "back when" its about "now"...and your leading by example....take care and keep being the great person you are...helping others is "priceless"...

god bless !!

By Ralph Novaj

We already KNEW he is a worthless twit

By ken

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

got tired of steve o's package almost showing all the time, that was sick, but I noticed it's all young girls givin him the thumbs
up.....................and a few strange guys

his parents were brother and sister

By Rob

So, what the heck was he addicted to? Stupidity? It's a nice story but no where does it mention what his life was spinning out of control from? Was it alcohol, cocaine, meth, javex, what?

By keymanlb

He's in the 1percent club. So many friends I know are so F-up and will never change. Tried the interventions and they just don't want to change. It's not just the alcohol, prescriptions are the worst. Oxy to meth, it's just too much for most to resist. It's so selfish! I wish more education showed what effect this actually has, it really changes a person. Good for him!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know the article doesn't tell all he was into, but you can imagine it's pretty hard to recover like he did.

By Billi

Everyone has a different bottom with addiction. I, too, ended up at a mental hospital for 24 hours. Prior to that I had been in jail for 24 hours. After the hospital I went to rehab for 28 days. Your story has helped me today, Steve. After fighting this disease, alcoholism, for almost 2 years I have yet to get a full year of sobriety. I fall down and pick myself back up and keep walking and praying to my higher power for strength. Thanks Steve! You do look great! Keep up the good work!

By fiendingman

nobody likes a quitter

SteveO just stopped doing drugs. Maybe you should consider taking the same route.

By gregula

dr stev-o will always be the cocaine clown performing at the swap shop . saw u then watching u now .

By c41963

I wonder what types of drugs he did. Does anyone know because it did not say. I sorta figured they were all doing some type of drug. What did he do tho?????? Good job tho Steve !!!!!!

By MOONUNT

HOWIE HUBBERMAN TO BUY VANDALAY INDUSTRIES

By Jane

Steve O. it is great to see you taking care of yourself and not physically beating yourself up anymore. You are an inspiration to others who struggle with drugs and alcohol. It was a joy to watch the journey you experienced on Dancing With the Stars. I pray that you are now able to find true joy and fufillment in your life. God bless.

By 78 dga

Steve can you still staple your nuts to your leg when your sober?

By Momma bear

Hey Steve-
People with ADHD are more prone to addiction. They do not know what is wrong and so they try to self medicate with drugs/alcohol. You might want to look into this issue. It would make life a whole lot easier for you. Be well.
Best, Momma bear

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