Kelly Osbourne is a British television star and singer. She’s best known for her role in the MTV reality series The Osbournes as the daughter of rock star Ozzy Osbourne. Due to her dad’s fame, Kelly has spent her entire life in the spotlight. As a teenager, she developed a drug and alcohol addiction and went to rehab many times. The reality star has always been open about her past with substance abuse disorder and her several mental health conditions.
What Kelly Osbourne Has Shared About Her Mental Health and Addiction
Kelly’s first issues with substances started at the age of 13. In an interview on Red Table Talk, she shared, “I kept getting sick, and I had a really bad case of tonsillitis; they ended up having to give me some crazy surgery, and then after that, they gave me Vicodin. And that was all I needed.”
At this time, Kelly was dealing with a lot of anxiety and self-esteem issues as a young teenager. The drugs seemed to provide instant relief. “I went from having every voice in my head being like, ‘You’re fat, you’re ugly, you’re not good enough, no one likes you, you don’t deserve this, people only like you because of who your parents are.’ And then all of a sudden, every single voice was silenced, and it felt like life gave me a hug.”
Soon, the addiction spiraled. Kelly recalled, “Very quickly I went from Vicodin to Percocet, from Percocet to heroin eventually because it was cheaper.”
In addition to drugs, alcohol was an issue as well. She explained in her interview, “I was introduced to alcohol because I came from an alcoholic family. I grew up with my father being extremely, if not probably, the heaviest drinker I’ve ever seen in my life. The alcohol was there.”
Kelly connecting her father’s drinking with hers is very logical. It’s estimated up to 50% of a person’s risk for developing alcohol use disorder (AUD) can be attributed to genetics; some individuals are predisposed to alcohol addiction. At FHE Health, many of our patients dealing with AUD chose to participate in family therapy sessions to heal the trauma that can come from family’s influence or participation in a patient’s journey towards addiction.
Ultimately, Kelly would end up being addicted to opioids and alcohol for over a decade, with various sprints of sobriety followed by relapses.
In addition to substance abuse issues, Kelly has struggled with mental health conditions as well. “I had a psychological diagnosis that I didn’t know I was walking around with. I didn’t realize how much my [obsessive-compulsive disorder] was taking over my life. I didn’t realize how much depression played into it, and anxiety.”
Co-occurring disorders are common, with one study finding up to 60% of people receiving substance disorder treatment also qualified for a mental health diagnosis. FHE Health recognizes the importance of identifying and treating co-occurring disorders for a successful recovery. We offer both addiction and mental health treatment and have staff experienced in noticing and diagnosing co-occurring disorders.
Growing Up in the Public Eye and Its Psychological Toll
The reality TV star became a public figure at a very young age. As a result, she had to deal with fame and all the pressures that came with it. Kelly struggled with her weight, and the media often commented on her size, making her feel uncomfortable in her own skin.
It’s no surprise she turned to drugs and alcohol to cope. When someone is young and struggling and doesn’t know how to ask for help, self-medicating can feel like the only solution.
Her Journey Through Rehab, Relapse and Recovery
The entire time Kelly struggled with her addictions, she wanted to get better. The reality star tried to get sober several times.
She first achieved sobriety in 2017 and managed to stay sober for 4 years. Unfortunately, she had a relapse in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The TV star shared that the relapse was triggered by a nervous breakdown and her belief that she had “conquered” her addiction. She says, “I am an addict and had thought that I had enough time under my belt and I could drink like a normal person, and it turns out I cannot, and I will never be normal. I don’t know why I even tried it. It’s not for me, and it took me a matter of days, and I was like, done, not doing this.”
Ultimately, her relapse was a short one. She chose to seek help immediately and took accountability for her mistake by sharing it with the world.
Kelly’s young son keeps her motivated to stay sober: “I truly believe my baby saved me and made me a whole human.”
Kelly’s Choice to Speak Out
Kelly has spent a lifetime dealing with the media being critical and mean to her. And yet, she still chooses to be vulnerable and transparent about her struggles. Her decision to speak out about her addictions and mental health struggles helps reduce the stigma that still surrounds both topics. When celebrities share their stories, they spread the message to their fans that these conditions can impact anyone and it’s OK to talk about them.
Recovery isn’t always a straight line, and people need to understand a relapse isn’t failure. You can get back up and get clean again. Kelly understands this message needs to be shared.
She says, “This is something I am going to battle for the rest of my life. It’s never going to be easy. By being accountable, owning your own journey and sharing what you go through, you can help other people. That’s why I came clean. I could have sat here and nobody would know.”
Kelly’s story offers hope for anyone struggling with addiction or mental health conditions. It took her over 10 years to fully recover, but she never stopped trying. She was resilient and determined in her journey and now says she’s the happiest she’s ever been.
Get Support From FHE Health
Whether you’re battling addiction, mental health issues or co-occurring conditions, know you don’t have to do it alone. FHE Health can provide you with the framework and professional support to make your journey to recovery as smooth as possible. Contact us today to learn about our programs.
