Jason Newsted Reveals Pain Killer Addiction

Posted on Jan 14th 2013 10:00AM by Amy Sciarretto Comments

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Former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted is making his much-anticipated and much-needed return to the metal scene with his eponymous new project. The musician has been making the press rounds as of late and admitted an addiction to painkillers that stemmed from a shoulder injury that nearly 86ed his career.

Back in 2006, Newsted was seriously injured in a freak accident where he attempted to catch a bass amp. He wretched both of his shoulders and underwent multiple surgeries and participated in several years of physical therapy in order to regain the use of his hands.

During his recovery period, he became addicted to prescription painkillers, which is not uncommon in this scenario.

"When I had my shoulder surgeries, they took over a three-and-a-half to four-year span, back and forth, left shoulder, right shoulder, left shoulder, right shoulder," Newsted revealed to the Great Falls Tribune, a local newspaper in Montana. "With complete bicep tears and rotator cuff tears and very ugly rehab and therapy. Painkiller addiction, the whole deal."

Ouch. Our shoulders ache just thinking about it.

Newsted eventually triumphed over his pill habit and began using art as an alternative method of healing and therapy. He shared, "I only had one arm at a time, so I started painting. Now, I can use both hands equally for everything. That's how the art came. I had to have something to do because I could not play my instrument."

When one window closes, another opens. Newsted is proof it doesn't matter which hand you use to pry it open!

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18 Comments

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Roseanne Salyer

Jason's only been back for 5 minutes, I'm already sick of him. Lots of people kick without having to bore us with the knowledge. I'm sorry for your pain and I know that this was serious, I am so tired of celebrities(you qualify, just)shoving this **** in my face. I have my own ****.

January 16 2013 at 8:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
topwrenchauto

When the use of pain killers coincide with a health issue, it is know as a "tolerance to narcotics, due to medical necessity". Any time we use pain killers for an extended period of time, we build a tolerance. If the use of medication disrupts one's life ie; causes job loss, family or legal issues, then you have a problem. Otherwise, there is no shame in treating an illness. Very few people, if any, could have repeated surgeries without using medication. We are lucky to have a means of removing the pain sensation. Street jumkies who steal and abuse society to support their habit, make it very difficult for the people who genuinely need pain relief.

January 15 2013 at 9:45 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
zoseph

The "wretched" author should study the English language.

January 15 2013 at 12:20 AM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
Kathleen

Pain pill addiction is far more common than one would think. Glad you kicked it Jason! I hope you have a great future!

January 14 2013 at 9:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
dbutch55

who cares we all haves demons and vices in life. just because he is famous its news?

January 14 2013 at 8:27 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
mociambz

I have had multiple surgeries and a rotator cuff tear is by far the most painfull, I rememeber standing in my doctors office pounding my head against the wall until he shot me up with morphine and iced it for a couple hours dont be too quick to judge him unless you can stab yourself in the shoulder with a screwdriver and take the pain, it is unbearable

January 14 2013 at 7:42 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Gregg

I too have had rotator cuff surgery and then tore it again in therapy. It was never fixed and now 4 years later needs to be repaired and possibly both shoulders. The real key is to take physical therapy as slowly as possible to prevent a reinjury. However I was on painkillers for 3 years and had to go cold turkey to quit the addiction. Addiction is a SERIOUS problem and have lost several close friends to accidental overdoses. If you are in doubt ALWAYS GET ANOTHER OPINION!!!!

January 14 2013 at 6:54 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
mpleasantsoul

I have pictures of Jason Newstead resting his head on my shoulder backstage at a Metallic Concert (circa 1988, And Justice For All tour) . I wasn't a friend of his, nor anyone he knew...he just put his head there for a picture and... then just left it! Scared and thrilled me to death. I look at that picture now and then and smile. Glad he's doing well.

January 14 2013 at 6:04 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
vietnamvet1967

And What else is NEW, Just a Bunch of DRUGGIES

January 14 2013 at 4:59 PM Report abuse -3 rate up rate down Reply
3 replies to vietnamvet1967's comment
jbaer10314

Uh-oh--better call up the folks at "Behind the Music."

January 14 2013 at 4:59 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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