In a previous post, we shared the latest addition to Andrew Morton’s collection of unauthorized biographies – a book on Angelina Jolie. On this post, we share yet another literary project, this time done by the protagonist himself.
Former Guns N’ Roses drummer Steven Adler wrote a memoir entitled My Appetite for Destruction, in which he recounts his hard-partying ways, both before and during the height of his stint with one of the most popular heavy metal bands. The book’s title is a spin-off from the band’s debut album, Appetite for Destruction, released in 1987.
A feature on the Calgary Herald includes an interview with Adler, who talked a bit about the experiences documented in his memoir. While drugs and alcohol were stereotypically considered as mainstays in the life of a heavy metal rocker, Adler shared that his drug use predated the rise of the band, having tried drugs as a young preteen.
The success that followed the release of Appetite for Destruction only served to escalate his substance abuse, so much so that he ended up being fired from the group in 1989. What followed was two decades of increased drug abuse; Adler wrote about overdosing 28 times and attempting suicide thrice. He survived jail, a heart attack, and a stroke.
Adler said: “You can’t abuse yourself the way I did without anything bad happening to you. I’m actually lucky it wasn’t worse.”
His road to sobriety included appearances on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew and Sober House. Adler shared further: “Getting it out of my system helped me move on with my life.”
Tags: steven adler, steven adler alcohol, steven adler drugs
