Hayden Panettiere Reveals Her Liver is 'Falling Out,' Shares Secret Opiods Addiction
Hayden Panettiere disclosed that her alcohol and drug dependence was so "out of control" that she "could not survive without" them. But she had to make the change, no matter how hard, as her liver is already falling out and she's not at the age wherein the damages can be easily reversed.
Panettiere told People magazine that she was first handed "happy drugs" prior to walking red carpets when she was 15 years old.
"They were to make me peppy during interviews," she told the outlet. "I had no idea that this was not an appropriate thing, or what door that would open for me when it came to my addiction."
Throughout her career, the "Heroes" actress claimed that she continued to drink frequently and occasionally use opiates.
"My saving grace is that I couldn't be messy while on set and working," Panettiere said. "But things kept getting out of control [off set]. And as I got older, the drugs and alcohol became something I almost couldn't live without."
When Panettiere was hospitalized for jaundice because her liver was failing, it was when she felt she already hit rock bottom.
"Doctors told me my liver was going to give out," she recalled. "I was no longer a 20-year-old who could just bounce right back."
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The "Scream 6" star credits her eight-month time in rehab with equipping her with the tools to "climb over the hump" of her addictions.
She remarked that staying clean is a daily decision. She's just grateful to be part of the world she had to strayed off for a while.
Panettiere, 32, who struggled with severe postpartum depression after the birth of her daughter, said she truly had a rough patch.
Despite receiving treatment for her depression, the "Remember the Titans" actor continued to use alcohol to cope with the difficulties of motherhood.
Her troubles with addiction led to the end of her relationship with Wladimir Klitschko, who "didn't want to be near her." Eventually, she made the agonizing choice to move their daughter to Ukraine to live with him.
