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Aussie pain sufferers lash out at Jackie 'O' Henderson over her drug addiction confession: 'You're the reason we have to beg' READ MORE: Why this photo of Jackie 'O' Henderson sitting outside of rehab is infuriating Aussies By Daily Mail Australia Reporter Published: 20:05 EDT, 30 October 2024 | Updated: 20:08 EDT, 30 October 2024 e-mail 31 shares View comments Jackie 'O' Henderson has come under fire from Australian chronic pain sufferers after opening up about her drug and alcohol addiction. The radio host, 49, detailed the extent of her addiction struggles and her 28-day stay in famous rehab clinic The Betty Ford Center in her new memoir, The Whole Truth. Jackie revealed how at the height of her addiction, she took around 10-12 Stilnox/Ambien sleeping pills and 24 Panadeine Forte painkillers a day.
However, her comments have sparked backlash from chronic pain sufferers as they claimed they are forced to 'beg' doctors to get painkillers. In February 2018, medicines that contain codeine - including Panadeine Forte - were restricted to being a prescription-only medication in Australia due to misuse and dependence problems. Some Australians who suffer from chronic pain issues have taken to social media to cite how difficult it is for them to get the medication due to the restrictions in place.
They criticised Jackie for taking as many as 24 Panadeine Forte painkillers a day after she admitted to accessing the medication through a 'supplier', not on prescription. 'People like Jackie are the reason all of us have to beg for any painkiller stronger than paracetamol - pretty soon we won't be able to buy much of that, either,' one wrote. Jackie 'O' Henderson has come under fire from Australian chronic pain sufferers after opening up about her drug and alcohol addiction 'Sufferers of chronic painful conditions are the ones impacted by Jackie and her ''contact''/supplier.
' Another said: 'Because of addicts like her taking so much...
easy to get. Now those who need it can't get it.' A third added: 'I have a high pain threshold but have had to ride out burst cysts and endo issues/healing femur on Nurofen and Panadol but a celebrity is somehow able to access 24 Panadeine a day and no one is questioning it?' However, others shared their support for Jackie as they praised her for bravely opening up about the harrowing reality of addiction.
One gushed: 'You are a blessing Jackie. Thank you so much for being open and honest. You are one in a million.
Thank you for being you.' Another said: 'What a inspiring lady telling her story and being helpful to others to reflect on themselves & seek help for others to assist addictions.' A third penned: I can't wait for you to use your platform to advocate for change in Australia's rehab system - you are brave and sobriety takes courage.
' In her memoir, Jackie revealed she was getting access to medication through a 'supplier' and detailed how her addiction changed amid the codeine restrictions. The radio host, 49, detailed the extent of her addiction struggles and her 28-day stay in The Betty Ford Center (pictured outside the rehab clinic) in her new memoir, The Whole Truth 'An addiction to prescription medication requires effort, in the form of doctor shopping, which was exhausting and embarrassing,' she said. 'I knew this already, because I'd done it back when I was taking Endone.
You have to find different medical centres every month, and with a new patient showing up and asking for powerful painkillers, they're immediately suspicious and full with questions. It takes hours out of your day to go to some faraway GP and lie.' Jackie said she couldn't give a fake name due to being recognisable as a public figure, but would give fake birthdays in case her medical records were checked.
The radio star said she then found a 'supplier' who was able to access prescription medication for her, which she described as a 'dodgy' set-up. 'As this unravelling came about in my life, I was hit by a stroke of good luck - or incredibly bad luck, as I see it now - when I met someone who was able to access prescription medication for me. I knew it was dodgy as hell, but I risked it anyway,' she shared.
'At the time, the government was putting a stop to codeine being available over the counter, meaning I'd be required to have a prescription for Nurofen Plus, which would mean more doctor shopping.' Jackie said she finally addressed her drug addiction when her supplier got 'busted' and was no longer able to access the medication for her. However, her admission that she took 24 Panadeine Forte painkillers a day have sparked backlash from chronic pain sufferers as they claimed they are forced to 'beg' to get painkillers She said: 'There was an immediate grief for my habit, too.
I have to stay goodbye to this. How do I do that? What's my future going to look like? Read More Jackie O Henderson reveals the shock way she got her hands on prescription medication 'I naturally wondered how I would cope, physically and mentally. My intake is huge - ten Stilnox and twenty-four Panadeine Forte a day.
How do you get off that safely?' Jackie then confided in her best friend Gemma O'Neill, who persuaded her to secretly fly out of Australia in secret to check into The Betty Ford Clinic in California. Jackie said Betty Ford told her not to change 'anything' about her usage before arriving as it could be 'dangerous' so she was still taking pills the day she flew out to the US. Known for treating Hollywood stars including Keith Urban , Robert Downey Jr .
and Lindsay Lohan , Betty Ford charges anywhere from $45,000 to $90,000 AUD for a month-long stay, depending on the program. When she checked in for a $50,000 28-day stay in November 2022, Jackie didn't tell any of her colleagues - not even her co-host Kyle Sandilands - and instead claimed she was suffering with long Covid. When she checked in to rehab November 2022, Jackie didn't tell her colleagues - not even her co-host Kyle Sandilands - and instead said she was suffering with long Covid (she is pictured with Kyle just weeks before in October 2022) In her memoir's prologue, she shared: 'The whole team wishes me well, I'm sure they're curious about my temporary leave of absence, but none of them really knows why I'm stepping back.
'But it has to be this way.' Apologising to her listeners on her KIIS FM radio show, she tearfully admitted she 'lied' by 'omission' when she publicly shared that she was battling long Covid at the time. 'I want to apologise to our listeners and everyone in my life where I haven't sort of been forthcoming with this, I just needed to concentrate on that part first, that recovery for the first year particularly,' she added.
The Whole Truth by Jackie 'O' Henderson is available in stores and online now. Share or comment on this article: Aussie pain sufferers lash out at Jackie 'O' Henderson over her drug addiction confession: 'You're the reason we have to beg' e-mail 31 shares Add comment.
