Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Reveals Addiction Nightmare In New Tell-All
He believes he is ‘genetically hardwired to drink and drug myself to death.’
May 22 2018, Updated 11:48 a.m. ET
In his explosive new tell-all, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. revealed shocking details of the dark years his life was riddled by drugs.
In the memoir, American Values: Lessons I Learned From My Family, Robert F. Kennedy’s son admitted his dependency on drugs began after his father’s sudden death in 1968.
“That year I began a decade of self-medicating and the drugs, it turned out, helped me sit still and focus,” RFK Jr. wrote.
One of eleven children to Robert and Ethel Kennedy, RFK Jr. admitted drugs were “fun” until he realized addiction is “like being locked in a cage with a dancing gorilla.”
The famed politician’s son was charged with possession of heroin in 1983, just two days after he announced he was seeking treatment for a drug problem, the New York Times reported at the time.
In his memoir, RFK Jr. described the lockup as “a slow-motion nightmare.”
He hinted at the obvious pressure he felt at the time due to who his family was.
“I would have rather cut my arm off than tarnish my family,” he revealed in the book.
In addition to hard drugs, the environmental activist admitted his addiction damaged an already-strained relationship with his mom.
“For the next twelve years, each time I went home to see my little brothers and sisters, I feuded with my mother,” he said of Ethel.
RFK Jr. also relied on alcohol. “I switched from one drug to another and occasionally to alcohol over the 14 years of my addiction, but all that hopping around was just rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.”
Robert F. Kennedy’s son ultimately sought rehab. He credited the Twelve Step program for freeing him from his substance abuse.
Still, the Kennedy family member said he believes his drug addiction was something he was born with. Is he hinting there's a much darker side to Camelot than he's already let on?
“I believe that I am genetically hardwired to drink and drug myself to death,” he revealed in the book.
As RadarOnline.com readers know, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has endured other tragedies. His former wife, Mary Richardson Kennedy committed suicide in May 2012.
He has since remarried, and even credited his current wife, Cheryl Hines, as his “most valued editor” in the memoir.
However, RadarOnline.com previously reported the couple have also faced marital troubles in recent years.
Never Miss an
Daily updates from the heart of Hollywood, right to your inbox
By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you’re agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
We pay for juicy info! Do you have a story for RadarOnline.com? Email us at tips@radaronline.com, or call us at (866) ON-RADAR (667-2327) any time, day or night.
