Pete Davidson, a well-known actor and comedian, has always been rather open and honest about the mental health treatment he has needed over the year, his drug addiction issues and rehab, and the impact his father’s death (who tragically died in the 9/11 attacks whilst working as a New York city firefighter) has had on his life. He used various coping mechanisms that weren’t healthy for him to deal with his PTSD and borderline personality disorder diagnoses and other mental health struggles.
As a celebrity he was in a strange position, having to deal with maintaining a public image whilst dealing with very real, very serious personal issues, and thus his need for mental health help and drug support was obvious to many of his fans. Multiple mental breakdowns took place in a very public way.
However, Pete Davidson is very much experiencing his ‘post rehab glow’ as many of the celebrity news outlets are calling it. In other words, he’s doing well having spent some time in a rehabilitation center and wellness facility.
Today we’ll talk about Pete’s journey, to show that even those in a very unique situation can face their struggles, deal with their mental health problems and drug use effectively, and go on to live a fulfilling life with a transformed inner life.
Who Is Pete Davidson?
Pete Davidson is a prominent comedian, actor, and writer in the USA, recently talked about most for his brief relationship with Kim Kardashian. He rose to fame as the youngest cast member on ‘Saturday Night Live’ or SNL, joining in 2014 at just 20 years old. He has a unique brand of comedy that often draws on the darker parts of his life. Even following his recovery, for example, he embarked on a comedy tour called: Pete Davidson – Rehab Tour, where he openly discussed his drug use and even famously in his Atlantic City show called out news outlets for inaccurately stating he was still using a variety of hard drugs. He also famously joked about rehab stating “seventh time’s the charm”, showcasing his dry sense of humour and candidness.
Besides SNL, Davidson also became a formidable stand up comedian, actor in various films, and besides Kim Kardashian has also had a number of high profile public relationships.
One of his most prominent pieces to date is his semi-autobiographical film “The King of Staten Island,” which he co-wrote and starred in which deals with issues surrounding substance abuse and mental health but in a broader comedic sense. It’s clear that comedy is a healthy outlet for comedian Pete Davidson, helping him to make light of a very serious subject so that it’s easier to tackle.
Pete Davidson’s Mental Health Issues And Addiction
Davidson has been very open about both his struggles with mental health and his addictions, often talking about them in his comedy. He openly discusses his borderline personality disorder (BPD) to help remove some of the stigma that still exists around mental health disorders.
In 2017 Pete was diagnosed with BPD. At first, his severe emotional swings and explosive anger episodes were put down to his marijuana use, but after some digging medical professionals were able to identify common signs of BPD. Since then, Pete Davidson has openly discussed the fact that he was unable to effectively regulate and control his emotions from a young age, and had in fact been in therapy for it multiple times.
It likely took so long for BPD to be diagnosed as Pete lost his dad at such a young age in such a tragic way that many mental health professionals will have expected anger and sadness to be huge emotions that someone so young would have struggled to deal with.
He also struggles from Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel condition that causes physical pain. Pete openly admits to using medical marijuana to help control this pain, but also recognises that marijuana comes with positives and negatives for him. Positively, it relieves his pain and makes him more comfortable. Negatively, Davidson believes marijuana has negatively affected his mental health at times.
With his drug use and mental health challenges, Davidson has been to rehab multiple times to seek help and get the support he needed. He is a strong advocate of rehabilitation facilities and seeking support, using his stints on shows like SNL to advocate for mental health awareness and encouraging others to seek the mental health treatment they need without feeling any shame. Pete, like our team at InnerLife Recovery, recognises that there should never be shame in admitting you need help – in fact it’s the first step to a thorough recovery, and it’s one of the bravest steps a person can take.
By discussing his mental health treatment and drug rehab experiences he has broken down barriers for others in the same boat as him. This has helped normalise conversations about these often taboo subjects, and ultimately that helps loved ones approach individuals they’re concerned about, and allows those facing mental health issues and drug abuse to stand up and admit they need help.
Fame And Mental Health Problems
Living in the public eye has undoubtedly added additional pressures for Pete Davidson, and whilst you will not be in exactly the same situation you will have friends and family that are expectantly waiting for you to feel better, and that can add pressure too. Yet he has also used his platform to discuss the issues that are no doubt exacerbated by the limelight he lives in every day.
Being in the public eye also means that further pressures are added in the form of online harassment and frequent comments about his struggles. This pressure has meant that at time, Pete has had to go to trauma therapy.
Whilst fame has provided Pete Davidson with a platform to discuss mental health issues and drug abuse problems, it has also contributed to it. It’s a complex issue, but it’s one that he has been able to successfully manage recently, showing that even with additional pressures you can treat your mental health issues and drug abuse problems.
Davidson’s Recovery And Advocacy
Davidson has openly discussed his struggle with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), diagnoses that he received after years of battling intense emotions and depression. Pete Davidson’s treatment has included multiple stints in rehab facilities where he has sought help to manage these conditions.
Davidson has been candid about the challenges he faced before his diagnosis, describing how understanding his condition brought him significant relief and changed his approach to dealing with his mental health. This revelation was pivotal not only for his personal recovery but also played a major role in his decision to use his platform to advocate for mental health awareness.
Through his public appearances and candid discussions about his experiences, Davidson has become a prominent voice in the mental health community. His openness and humour have made him relatable to fans, allowing him to effectively promote understanding and support for mental health issues.
The Broader Impact Of Pete Davidson’s Advocacy
Celebrity disclosures about mental health can play a significant role in removing the stigma around such issues, as public figures like Pete Davidson openly discussing their struggles can foster greater public acceptance and reduce stigma.
Celebrities influence societal attitudes towards health and addiction both by raising awareness and modelling behaviours that normalise discussions about mental health. Such disclosures, especially when embedded in anti-stigma campaigns, have shown to be effective in changing public perceptions. Celebrities’ stories can educate the public on mental health, challenging stereotypes and promoting help-seeking behaviours, thereby impacting how society views and reacts to mental health and addiction issues.
Mental health issues do not discriminate, touching lives irrespective of one’s public stature or personal success. Celebrities like Patrick J. Kennedy, Lady Gaga, and Dwayne Johnson have bravely shared their personal battles, creating a broader understanding and reducing stigma associated with these conditions.
By sharing their struggles and recovery journeys, these public figures underscore the value of vulnerability and resilience, demonstrating that recovery is achievable with the right support.
Seeking Help Yourself
We’ve covered Pete Davidson’s struggle with mental health and drug abuse today to encourage others who might fear that they can’t turn their lives around. Pete had every reason not to. He’d faced unimaginable trauma, scrutiny from the public, mental health problems and only knew drugs as a coping mechanism.
Yet he’s doing better today.
Whatever problems you’re facing, we use a tailored, holistic approach to treatment for those who come to our residential rehab facility in Spain. We look at where you’re at, what your goals are and where you want to go, and we give you all the tools you need to get there.
If you or a loved one are struggling with drug abuse, alcohol addiction, or mental health problems, we can support. Enquire today and we’ll do all we can to help.
