Elton John has shared that he is "grateful for every single day" after changing his life for the better 36 years ago. Posting to Instagram, the Rocketman star shared a milestone celebration in his sobriety.
The 79-year-old shared a snap of him raising a glass of his own brand non-alcoholic wine, Elton John Zero Blanc de Blancs, as he wrote: "36 years sober today. Raising a 0% glass to life. Grateful for every single day." He also reshared the post to his Instagram Story, accompanying the image with his 1983 hit I’m Still Standing.
Support from friends and fans
Some of his famous friends were quick to support him, with Alan Carr and the wife of Brooklyn Beckham, Nicola Peltz, sharing clapping and loveheart emojis. Journalist Susannah Constantine wrote: "My love. My life. My best friend," as Loose Women's Janet Street Porter commented: "So impressive! Well done xxxx".
A history of addiction
Elton has opened up over the years about how he became heavily reliant upon alcohol and addictive substances, which led to a severe addiction that he claims could have ended his life. The gay icon began experimenting with drugs and alcohol in the early years of his music career in the 1970s, with his addiction peaking in the 1980s.
He entered rehab in July 1990 and has managed to stay sober ever since. In the past he has spoken about his experiences, which were even documented in a biopic of his life, as he told Variety: "The life I was leading, flying on the Starship [his private plane], living in beautiful houses, buying things left, right and centre – it was not a normal life, not the sort of life I came from anyway. I lost complete touch with that. I vowed when I did change my life that that would never happen again."
Health struggles and recovery
Elton added that he experienced constant health problems due to his substance abuse issues. "There were times I was having chest pains or staying up for three days at a time," he said. "I used to have spasms and be found on the floor, and they'd put me back to bed, and half an hour later I'd be doing the same. It's crazy."
Elton recognised that there was still hope for recovery, as he told CBS News. "It nearly destroyed my soul," he explained. "My soul was black, like a charred piece of steak, until I said, 'I need help.' And suddenly, a little pilot light in my soul came along going, 'Yes, I'm still here. I'm still here. I'm still here. I can still be rescued.'"
