Billy Idol Says Crack Played a Role in Overcoming Heroin Addiction

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During an interview on the March 2nd episode of Club Random with Bill Maher, Billy Idol shared a surprising story about how he quit heroin. The 70-year-old rock star revealed he replaced one strong addiction with another, hoping to turn his life around.

Idol explained to Maher that people trying to quit heroin often look for something else to replace it. He openly shared that he actually began using crack cocaine as a way to stop using heroin, which prompted Maher to ask if that’s really what happened.

The singer, known for “White Wedding,” defended his approach, explaining that it helped him stop his previous addiction. He admitted it wasn’t a great example of how to get better, but emphasized that it ultimately allowed him to overcome his heroin use.

Billy Idol’s new documentary, Billy Idol Should Be Dead, which premiered in theaters on February 26, focuses heavily on his past struggles with drugs and alcohol. The film includes his account of a frightening incident in London in 1984, where a party celebrating his rising fame almost turned disastrous.

When Sid Vicious returned to England after what he considered a celebratory tour, he and some friends used a very strong dose of heroin. Most of them passed out. He recalled feeling like he was close to death and had started to turn blue before his friends tried to wake him up.

Desperate to keep him awake, they finally had to submerge him in an ice-cold bath and even walk him across the building’s roof. Reflecting on that time, he observed that the 1980s rock scene openly welcomed and participated in a heavy drug culture.

The documentary also recounts a particularly destructive incident in Bangkok, where a hotel room was damaged to the tune of $75,000. This happened around the time his son, Willem, was born, which made him realize he needed to change his ways and get his life back on track.

The singer’s life changed dramatically in 1990 when a serious motorcycle accident almost resulted in the loss of his leg. He said the injury made him determined to overcome his drug addiction and build a better life, which led to a slow but steady improvement in his habits.

He understands some recovery approaches see addiction as a lifelong condition, but he currently describes himself as “California sober.” In an interview with People magazine, he shared that he’s developed enough self-control to occasionally have a glass of wine without repeating the harmful behaviors from his past.

This influential punk musician is still very busy, especially as he celebrates 50 years since starting his career with Generation X in 1976. He’s also been nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and says being inducted would be a fantastic way to celebrate his five decades in music.

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2026-03-06 01:14