For years, Steve-O’s outrageous television stunts mirrored a personal life that was spiraling out of control. At the time, he admitted to heavy substance use, later saying he was “in a death spiral” that nearly cost him his life. Addiction almost destroyed him, but today, Steve-O’s sober journey continues to inspire fans all around the globe.

Steve-O’s Public Struggles With Addiction

Steve‑O, born Stephen Gilchrist Glover in London, United Kingdom, spent his childhood constantly relocating due to his father’s job. He started experimenting with drugs when he was only 16, which ultimately played a part in his dropping out of the University of Miami in 1993. Without a clear direction, he spent time couch-surfing around Miami and filming homemade stunt videos.

That relentless pursuit of shock value eventually paid off. His stunt tapes made their way to MTV producer Jeff Tremaine, and in 2000, Steve-O was cast on Jackass. His wild personality and willingness to perform dangerous stunts made him a fan favorite, but the same behavior that made him famous also fed into Steve-O’s addiction.

Steve-O has been candid about his history of substance use. He openly experimented with nearly every illicit substance, often while filming for Jackass. In interviews and his memoirs, he’s admitted to mixing cocaine, nitrous oxide, alcohol and prescription medications, pushing his body to dangerous limits.

Friends, including Jackass creator Johnny Knoxville, watched helplessly as he spiraled toward rock bottom. He later revealed that he was psychotic from heavy cocaine and nitrous oxide use, hallucinating and unable to care for himself. Unlike some celebrities who kept their struggles hidden, Steve-O’s addiction was evident on and off camera.

What He’s Shared About Hitting Rock Bottom

Steve-O has often said his lowest point wasn’t a single moment but a pattern of self-destruction that left him close to death. By 2008, his addiction had become life-threatening. In later interviews, he admitted he might not have survived without intervention. Like many people facing addiction, his access to resources and fame allowed him to prolong the inevitable crash.

When Did Steve-O Get Sober?

Steve‑O’s wake-up moment came in March 2008. After receiving a troubling email suggesting suicidal thoughts, his friends took swift action. Johnny Knoxville coordinated an intervention and a psychiatric hold. The stuntman was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

In a revealing interview, he told Loudwire, “My life was a disaster. I decided about 7 days in that I not only wanted to go into treatment, but that I didn’t want to waste my time in treatment.”

Years after the forced psychiatric hold that saved his life, the stuntman publicly thanked those who helped him. “I just can’t put into words how grateful I am for @realjknoxville and the rest of the guys who locked me up in a psychiatric ward on March 9, 2008, where this journey began. Thank you, dudes, I love you,” he tweeted, per People.

Steve-O’s Sober Path

Steve‑O has remained sober since March 10, 2008. The comedian published two memoirs detailing his recovery journey and limitations and accepting that moderation is not for him.

He has also emphasized humility and service: “Us sober people love it when you reach out for help. Join the pack, find someone who’s already sober and let us show you the way,” he explained, per Loudwire.

Over the years, Steve‑O has used his platform to speak candidly about addiction and mental health. He’s highlighted how fame and access can allow people to prolong self-destruction.

Advocacy Work

Unlike many celebrities who choose to keep their recovery out of the spotlight, Steve-O has turned his hard-won sobriety into a central part of his public identity. Through YouTube series, stand-up tours and interviews, he frequently revisits the chaos of his past drug use. By pairing shocking stories with the lessons he’s learned in sobriety, he reframes his history as a cautionary tale.

In doing so, Steve-O promotes the idea that asking for help is not a weakness but often the only way forward. His willingness to discuss therapy, peer support and the daily work of sobriety breaks through the silence that surrounds addiction. By normalizing conversations about recovery, he uses his platform to connect with fans who may be hesitant to seek treatment themselves.

What We Can Learn From His Story

Steve-O’s journey is a poignant reminder that addiction doesn’t discriminate. His friends’ intervention and the psychiatric hold that followed forced him to confront the severity of his addiction, breaking through the denial that kept him trapped.

The comedian views sobriety as an ongoing process rather than a destination. He calls it an exercise in understanding, emphasizing that recovery requires daily commitment and self-awareness. Accepting that moderation isn’t possible for him gave clarity and purpose, while therapy, peer support and his relationship with then-fiancée Lux Wright provided the stability needed to sustain change.

How Celebrity Openness Helps Reduce Stigma

Addiction remains one of the most misunderstood health issues in America. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in 2023, 17.1% of Americans reported a substance use disorder, yet only a fraction received treatment. One of the barriers is the belief that addiction is a sign of weakness rather than a chronic medical condition. This stigma can deter people from seeking help, as they fear being judged instead of supported.

That’s why stories like Steve-O’s matter. When he openly discusses his psychosis from heavy drug use, the interventions staged by friends and his long road to recovery, he gives a human face to statistics. Fans see someone they admired for outrageous stunts admitting that his behavior was fueled by illness, not character flaws. His honesty reframes substance use disorder as a condition that requires treatment, community and persistence to overcome.

Start Your Recovery Journey

If you see yourself in Steve-O’s journey, don’t wait for rock bottom. Our team understands the challenges of addiction and is here to support you every step of the way. Contact Sunlight Recovery today to learn about our programs.