Television personality Jack Osbourne has shared a candid account of his teenage struggles with addiction, revealing he checked into a rehabilitation centre at the age of just 17.
The 40-year-old, who found fame on the reality show The Osbournes, stated that he has not relapsed since getting sober all those years ago.
The Perils of Early Fame and Fortune
Speaking to fellow contestants on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! on Tuesday, November 18, Osbourne opened up about the challenges that came with his family's sudden celebrity status. He explained that being a teenager in Los Angeles with a 'ton of money' and 'no rules' created a perfect storm for trouble.
'When you give a 16 year old a shit ton of money and no rules, in LA, you're kind of just like, 'OK, let's go play,'' he told campmate Ruby Wax. 'I got sober when I was 17.'
When Wax pressed him on the substances he was using, Osbourne was forthright, listing 'a lot of pills, a lot of alcohol, a lot of weed.' He confirmed his treatment took place in an adolescent treatment centre in California and answered with a simple 'No' when asked if he had ever suffered a relapse.
The Impact of The Osbournes' Spotlight
Osbourne also reflected on the profound impact of his family's reality TV show, which aired for four seasons between 2002 and 2005. He confessed that it wasn't the filming itself that was the issue, but the intense public scrutiny that followed.
'The filming never really bothered me, it was the result of filming that bothered me,' he said. 'The huge amount of attention. I was always pretty shy. They were only supposed to film us for three weeks for a pilot but ended up staying for like four years.'
He described the experience of being constantly watched as 'really odd,' attributing part of his struggle to a lifestyle with 'not a lot of structure and too much abundance and freedom.'
A Personal Loss in the Limelight
The conversation in the jungle also turned to a more recent and profound loss for the Osbourne family. Earlier in the week, Jack became emotional while discussing the passing of his father, Ozzy Osbourne.
The Black Sabbath frontman died in July at the age of 76. Jack admitted his father's death was a shock, even though the family knew he had been ill.
'We didn't know it would be that quick,' he shared. 'It was the ultimate mic drop, he did a massive big gig and was like, alright I'm done.'
