Features

Gucci Mane, 50 Cent, And 4 Other Successful Rappers Who Have Been To Rehab And Back

BY Dora Abena Dzaka October 30, 2023 2:00 PM EDT
Photo Source: Instagram/@50cent

Hip-hop and rap music are frequently linked to drug and alcohol abuse. Substance abuse has had a negative impact on the rap culture. If you believed that addiction was a problem that simply affected the average person, you would be mistaken.

Rehab for drug addiction was necessary for some of the most seasoned rappers in order to break free from the bonds of addiction. Thankfully, artistes who battle addiction frequently make the brave decision to check themselves into rehab.

Additionally, a few rappers openly criticize the drug culture that is currently pervasive in hip-hop. Thus, these are a few of the greatest rappers who have been in rehab.

Kid Cudi

Kid Cudi’s tough childhood eventually led him to turn to drugs. The 31-year-old Cleveland-based independent rapper claims that in order to deal with the stress of his quick climb to popularity, he turned to cocaine and alcohol. He says that giving up booze allowed him to be “the happiest I had ever been on tour,” which is why his Satellite Flight tour was so successful. However, he left in June 2010 following his arrest for possession and criminal mischief. What’s notable is that he overcame his addictions without the assistance of a professional.

Macklemore

At the age of 13, Macklemore took 12 shots from his parent’s liquor cabinet, starting his fight with alcoholism. But at 25, he entered rehab after realizing that his drug abuse was seriously impeding his success and ability to be creative. The 31-year-old Macklemore has been outspoken about his recovery; in 2013, he even took a Rolling Stone reporter to an AA meeting.

Gucci Mane

Several rappers, like Gucci Mane, did not overcome their addiction as a result of their time in treatment. Still, he didn’t really try to combat it until 2014. “It was when I was going to serve 20 years in prison that I gave up. “For me, that was the decisive factor. I was aware that I couldn’t do drugs in my life,” Gucci Mane once said in an interview with financial magazine, Money.

Young Dro

The sorrowful nature of Young Dro’s rehabilitation tale stems from how his drug use had a direct impact on his family. The rapper struggled with drug misuse later in life after being exposed to drugs by a peer. He also learned much later that his teenage daughter had begun taking drugs. According to Dro, the realization forced him to check himself into recovery in 2021, and he hasn’t looked back since.

50 Cent

50 Cent’s mother sold drugs on the streets of Queens, Jamaica, when she was a child. After his mother passed away, the My Buddy crooner had to hustle his way out, which led him to start distributing drugs. He used to live with his grandparents, who looked after him when his mother passed away. 50 had numerous crime scenes throughout his drug-dealing existence, and he spent time in jail and treatment facilities. After his reformation, he went on to become a renowned rapper and actor.

Eminem

When the world’s most famous white rapper overdosed on methadone, his doctor predicted he would die in two hours. For a speedy detoxification, Eminem was given a high dose of 60 Valium and 30 Vicodin per day. In addition to being in treatment, Eminem had an addict, Elton John as his mentor, who was attempting to get Eminem sober. Eminem began his journey to sobriety in 2008 when he checked himself into rehab. He also devoted an entire album, Recovery, to drug detoxification.