The Rise and Struggles of DMX: A Journey Through Addiction

On April 2, 2021, rapper DMX was rushed to the hospital after suffering a heart attack, where he remained on life support until April 9, 2021, after which he was pronounced dead at the age of 50. DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, has had a long-standing battle with substance use disorder and entered rehabilitation (rehab) several times. In this article, we will explore the rise of his career, DXM’s drug addiction, his death, and what we can learn from his journey through addiction.

DMX ranks among those artists who have been open about their substance use struggles and the impacts on their lives and relationships. In the mid-1980s, when DMX was better known as Earl Simmons, he met a local rapper who went on to become his mentor, Ron Ready. At the time, he did not drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, or weed, or anything. However, Ron Ready tricked him into using crack cocaine on the pretext of offering a cigarette - at the age of just 14. Simmons lamented this fact later - that his mentor had let down a child who looked up to him. However, it must be said that Ron Ready denied these claims after Simmons’s death.

Ever since, he has struggled with substance use a great deal. In 2016, he was found unconscious in a hotel parking lot and was not breathing as medics arrived at the scene. While no drugs were found in his possession, an onlooker said that he had consumed some kind of powdered substance before passing out.

However, Simmons was not just known for his struggles with substance use - he was also known for trying several times to get his life back on track by entering rehab in 2002, 2017, and 2019. In fact, he even went as far as to cancel an upcoming concert in 2017 to enter rehab. While fans have stuck by his side, he faced multiple legal charges, like drug possession, tax evasion, and even animal cruelty.

DMX entered the music industry as a force to be reckoned with. With a voice that commanded attention, he delivered chart-topping hits, earning both fame and critical acclaim. However, fame comes with a dark side as well. One completely overlooked. Behind the shiny spotlight of rap, DMX’s journey is that of a man whose career had been adversely impacted by his deep-seated struggles with addiction and the other complications that circle back to addiction.

He found himself facing many legal troubles, including drug possession, violating drug probation, theft, aggravated assault, and animal cruelty. In fact, in 2016, when he had to be resuscitated after being found unconscious at a hotel parking lot, the medic delivered Narcan, an opioid-reversal medication, and DMX responded immediately. However, he denied that it was an opioid overdose and instead suggested it was an asthma attack.

DMX’s life is a complex one. While DMX drug addiction is indeed a reality, so is his recovery journey. He entered rehab multiple times, even going so far as to cancel concerns. His Instagram post read something like this post canceling a concert to enter rehab in 2016 - “In his ongoing commitment to putting family and sobriety first, DMX has checked himself into a rehab facility. He apologizes for his cancelled shows and thanks his fans for their continued support.”

While fans have continually supported DMX in his lifetime, there are lessons to be learned from his life. His life stands as a testament to the struggles millions of those who use substances and embark on a journey to recovery face worldwide. But at the crux of it all is an unyielding spirit that refuses to give up and says this is the end. No, the hope for recovery is real. Early intervention can lead to a better prognosis, but anybody can recover from substance use no matter where they are in their journey.

Many celebrities like DMX have been open about their substance use struggles. DMX, in particular, has openly acknowledged his battle with crack cocaine - a highly potent kind of cocaine. The prevalence of crack cocaine reached a peak during the 1980s, which is when DMX also first experimented with it. It was a cheaper derivative of cocaine, meaning it impacted many urban communities, increasing the stigma surrounding substance use and incarceration rates as well.

DMX is just one of the stories we know of a life ever changed by the shadow of crack cocaine. However, he must be commended for his efforts toward recovery as well. His journey through addiction with relapse and return to rehab showed that here is a rapper whose relapse is not a mistake or a failure but a very real, integral aspect of the recovery journey, which is indeed challenging.

Yet, residential and outpatient rehab centers offer a way ahead with intensive and personalized care. Furthermore, seeking out integrated care options like sober living homes where a person can receive a structured environment, clinical expertise, and an understanding community in their journey to recovery also makes a monumental difference.

DMX’s life can look like the life of a stereotypical rapper - living the “thug” life with a dependence on hard drugs. However, if you look beyond this, you will find a man who has openly admitted and confronted his struggles. Something that can never be taken away from him, despite his complex personality. Not just that, DMX’s life also shows how faith can be integral to a person - his artistry and on-stage prayers were just an indication of his profound connection with his spiritual side amidst personal challenges. Faith in recovery is a uniquely powerful thing - many find this useful and empowering, and many programs that also use faith as one of the bases of their foundation - like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous - exemplify why faith can still be very crucial in your recovery journey.

DMX’s legacy as a rapper is beyond question. But his legacy in the context of substance use recovery must be spoken about more. It is a story of vulnerability, truth, and resilience - all of which lead to better recovery outcomes. His legacy of daring to be open and vulnerable in front of the world shows that destigmatizing conversations around addiction and mental health is a good place to begin.