Former Wrestling Star Big Van Vader Discusses Past Alcoholism, Prescription Drug Addiction
Big Van Vader was a legend during his wrestling career with WCW and WWE. In a recent interview, he talks about why that career ended, how it spawned an addiction to alcohol and prescription painkillers, and how that addiction ended his marriage and put him in a coma for a month.
Vader told WWE.com: “I was struggling with some bad personal habits. I drank way too much. I was in a lot of pain with my knees and my back and my shoulders and started taking way too many pain pills.”
According to Vader, though his wife spent years trying to convince him that his painkiller addiction and alcoholism had gotten out of control, it wasn’t until she filed for divorce in 2007 that he realized that she might be right. It wasn’t an easy process, though – getting off drugs and alcohol was postponed when he ended up in bed for six months after an infection grew in his knee. He ultimately needed a double knee replacement as a result – no time to quit taking painkillers altogether. Still trying to keep his career together and make appearances, Vader went to Japan soon after his surgery – only to fall into a coma that would last for 33 days and cause him to lose 112 pounds while lying in a Japanese hospital.
Vader found the help he needed to kick his painkiller addiction and alcoholism for good when he met up with the Wounded Warrior Alliance. Though the group specializes in helping wounded veterans get back on their feet and back on track, Vader is not a veteran. However, his local chapter took an interest in his struggles and gave him the help and support he needed. His life is completely different now. Instead of doing drugs, Vader is a born-again Christian who does public speaking and assists the WWA whenever he can. He’s found a new purpose outside of the ring that has motivated him to choose a sober path: motivating others to break free from drug and alcohol addiction just like he did.
One of the biggest lessons to be learned from Vader’s experiences is this: your painkiller addiction past doesn’t have to define you in a negative way. Rather than being embarrassed or pretending that it didn’t happen, you can use your experiences to help others having the same issues to make the choice to get clean and sober. Start by sharing your story at a 12-step meeting. Take a look around your community and see what options you have to get involved. Drug and alcohol addiction is never a good thing but you can take the steps to make sure that, going forward, it has a positive impact on those around you.
Was a fun wrestler, gave us a lot of great television. Indeed, alcohol is the number one road to ruin.
Thanxx (Darth) Vader—one of the best.