This summer, Sir Elton John celebrated a massive milestone in his life, and it had nothing to do with his already legendary music career. Instead, the iconic rock and roll musician celebrated 29 years of sobriety. He’s now 29 years sober at 72 years of age, and to celebrate, the singer shared a photo of his Alcoholics Anonymous sobriety coin commemorating his huge accomplishment. The AA had the organization’s motto written on it, which reads: Unity, Service, and Recovery,” in addition to the wise, age-old saying: “To Thine Own Self Be True.” AA tends to really stand by this motto, and it most certainly applies to people in this world like Sir Elton John!
“29 years ago today, I was a broken man. I finally summoned up the courage to say 3 words that would change my life: “I need help”, John writes in his social media post. “Thank-you to all the selfless people who have helped me on my journey through sobriety. I am eternally grateful.”
The singer has been very open in documenting his battle with drugs and alcohol. The most recent biopic about his life, titled “Rocketman,” showcases what happened behind the scenes to make him want to give up drugs for good. These substances include marijuana, alcohol, and cocaine.
“The life I was leading — flying on [his legendary private plane] the Starship, living in beautiful houses, buying things left, right and center — it was not a normal life, not the sort of life I came from anyway. I lost complete touch with that,” he explains to Variety.
He explains what he the sensations he felt while he was using drugs:
“There were times I was having chest pains or staying up for three days at a time… I used to have spasms and be found on the floor and they’d put me back to bed and half an hour later I’d be doing the same. It’s crazy.”
Elton John / StubHub
Back in 1990, John experienced the death of his friend, Ryan White, who died from complications from AIDS. This tragic event helped John put his life into perspective. John would go on to check himself into Chicago’s Parkside Lutheran Hospital on July 29, 1990. Since becoming sober, he has gone on to accomplish a great many more amazing things in his life.
John begins the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Since then, the foundation has raised over $400 million. He has also been with his partner, David Furnish, for the last 25 years. And they will celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary soon! “My sobriety has brought me everything that I could possibly wish for,” he said back in 2004.
These are genuinely bright and joyful days in the life of Sir Elton John, who now enjoys over 29 years of being clean and sober. Congratulations!
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Source: Do You Remember