General Hospital Star Jacob Young Details Seven-Year Opioid Addiction
Soap opera actor Jacob Young has publicly discussed his intense seven-year battle with opioid addiction, revealing how it began following a dental procedure and how he managed to conceal it from colleagues and family. In a recent interview on the Imperfectly Perfect podcast, the 46-year-old star, famed for portraying Lucky Spencer on the long-running daytime drama General Hospital, explained that his dependency on pain medication started after he was prescribed Vicodin post-surgery.
"I ended up getting a prescription for Vicodin," Young stated. "This is something I've never been completely open about. I started getting hooked on opioids and I went through seven years of my life wasted on opioids." He described using the pills to feel "numb" and normal, yet emphasized that his addiction never interfered with his professional duties. "I always showed up, I always did my lines," he added. "I was always well-studied."
Living a Double Life and Seeking Help
Young recounted living a lie during those years, pretending everything was fine while struggling privately. "I was living an absolute lie. There was no two ways about it," he said. He managed to hide his addiction from his wife, Christen Steward, for an extended period before finally confessing. "I finally broke down and told her the truth," Young shared. "I was like, 'Look, I'm addicted. And I can't get off this because I don't want to get sick, but I need help.'"
After seeking counseling, he worked to address the underlying issues, such as resentment and depression, that drove his drug use. "That was a journey, to get off of that. That was really tough," he reflected. Young also opened up about past struggles with alcohol and cocaine, which he overcame after meeting Steward, attributing his earlier substance use to untreated emotional wounds.
Personal Life and Career Achievements
Jacob Young and Christen Steward married in 2007 and have three children: Luke, 17, Molly, 12, and Grace, 9. Beyond General Hospital, Young is recognized for his roles on The Bold and the Beautiful and All My Children, earning a Daytime Emmy in 2002 and multiple nominations. His candid revelation highlights the hidden challenges many face, even in high-profile careers.
If you or someone you know is dealing with drug addiction, confidential support is available 24-7 from Frank in the UK by calling 0300 123 6600 or texting 82111. In the US, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at 1-800-662-HELP.
