December 22, 2009
Excerpt:


Rolling Stone can confirm that Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler has entered a rehab facility to treat an addiction to prescription painkillers. “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,” the singer said in a statement.

In an exclusive statement to Rolling Stone, Tyler also addressed his bandmates’ recent allegations that he demanded a two-year break from the group:

“I wish to set the record straight and say that I have read reports of a rumored two-year hiatus and want to be clear that this is completely false and I will enthusiastically be writing, recording and performing with Aerosmith as soon as things are handled.”

Tyler, 61, last entered rehab in May 2008 to deal with pain from foot surgery.

The physician treating the singer at the New England Baptist Hospital, Dr. Brian McKeon, noted that Tyler’s addiction stems from difficulties with pain management. “Over the past 10 years, Steven Tyler has suffered orthopedic injuries and has been in severe chronic pain which will require further surgeries on his knees and feet,” McKeon said. “Managing and controlling his pain has been challenging and despite our use of alternative therapies and the creation of custom shoes built by a team of engineers from Timberland, Steven’s pain has progressed. 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.”




http://www.rollingstone.c...y-in-band/
[Edited 12/22/09 19:08pm]

Now we know the truth. Crazy mess. Hope Steven gets well.

Timmy84 said:

This happens very often, i bet no one knew that even JOHNNY MATHIS got addicted to pain killers back in the day.

lastdecember said:

I was shocked when I read that about Johnny.

yeah??

He's too old for this shit

I hope he has a speedy recovery.

scriptgirl said:

wait a minute, it's not like he is freebasing the stuff...i would agree with you if he wasn't dealing with medical conditions but it appears he's not just a pill popper, he's had pain issues to deal with.

^^ Yeah when you have pain you try to find a cure. Poor Steven. Least he ain't back on cocaine.

RnBAmbassador said:

^ fucking crap
did you even read that he's in pain
[Edited 12/23/09 3:30am]

I never understood the addiction of painkillers...what kind of stuff do they actually take? If they are in pain, they are not addicted, they just need the stuff to deal with the pain.

And if you're no longer in pain, how come they still get this medication?
Sometimes if feels with famous people, they call it 'painkillers',but its actually just drugs. But they call it painkillers, because of the image.

By the way, i'm dutch, for us 'drugs' really means drugs like cocaine or something, as i believe in the US, drugs also means medication? I could be wrong of course....

robertlove said:

some painkillers (like aspirin) relieve pain without any stimulants...others, like vicodin give you a mild high...soo...

sosgemini said:

yeah, you're right, a mild high, but aren't they talking about something stronger? I can't believe people go to rehab for a 'mild' high...i mean, we're talking Steven Tyler here, he must be used to something. And besides that, you need a doctor to get that stuff, do doctors subscripe it, if you don't need it?

No it's kinda like what an ultra-famous artist was going through. He also had an addiction and at times had problems shaking it off but he needed it because he kept getting injured. I think for Steven since he always had accidents and injured himself he probably got warped a bit from the drugs. A painkilling addiction is similar to addictions to street drugs in which the person wants to quit but he finds himself wanting the drug so he or she could feel better.

sosgemini said:

yeah it's a fine line to walk when you have legitimate medical issues AND a serious issue with addiction

robertlove said:

Well, my body always seems to feel imperfect. There's always some kind of pain. Removing that might just feel great. I could jump around like a kid again.

plus the addiction is the pain that comes from quitting them

Well as we all know the shit you buy over the counter or from your doc is just as much a "drug" as anything else. Prescribing things "addictive" to someone who has had addiction problems isnt very wise, but sometimes is the only thing u can do. BUT i think alot of times people think the pain is greater because they want the stronger MED to get a FEELING that is much like any "illegal" drug. Just because your name is on the bottle and doctor jones gave it to you and he has adegree dont mean its good for you in the long run.