Ringo Starr admits he went to rehab because he 'wasn't treating people with respect' - NewsBreak

Published 2 days ago• 3 minute read

Ringo Starr shared his personal triumph over addiction with his wife, Barbara Bach, during the annual "Peace and Love" Birthday Celebration he hosted in Beverly Hills, California, this week.

The iconic Beatles drummer - who recently revealed what he would say to John Lennon and George Harrison if he saw them today -got candid about his nearly 40 years of sobriety from substances and alcohol, which began after he sought help at a rehab facility with his wife shortly after they wed.

At the event, he confided to PEOPLE, "Well, I ended up in a rehab because I was not treating myself or anyone around me with any respect. It was all about me, and I came out, and I haven't had a drink since. Thank the Lord."

In the year 1989, Ringo disclosed his decision to enter a treatment center for alcoholism alongside Barbara, undergoing a transformative five-week program.

Speaking to the publication, he recounted, "Eight days in, I decided, 'I'm here to get help because I know I'm sick.' I just did whatever they asked me and, thank god, it pulled me through.", reports the Mirror US.

Reflecting on the tumultuous periods of the 1970s and 1980s, Ringo reminisced about those times being lost in a haze and discussed how the disbanding of the Beatles affected him personally.

In a 2015 interview with the Times of London, he admitted, "I was drunk. Some of those years are absolutely gone."

He continued with raw honesty, "I was mad. For 20 years. I had breaks in between of not being."

The ex-Beatles drummer was previously wedded to Maureen Cox, but their marriage ended in 1975, marred by issues with substance abuse including alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine. After officially parting ways with the Beatles in 1970, Starr embarked on a solo journey in music, film, and directing, and also became a member of the notorious Hollywood Vampires.

Ringo pursued a solo career for a while before forming his All Starr Band, a venture he once admitted would have been challenging if he had continued drinking.

In an interview with Parade, he shared, " There is an absolute connection. When I got sober, I had all this time and more energy."

Even after leaving the band, Ringo maintained a close relationship with Paul McCartney, his former Beatles bandmate. The legendary drummer celebrated his 85th birthday on July 7 surrounded by friends, family, and fans.

McCartney posted a rare photo with Ringo on Instagram. The snapshot, taken by Paul's late wife, Linda McCartney, captured the two men, heads together, gazing at the camera.

The heartfelt caption read, "A very happy birthday to my dear friend, Ringo (or should I say, Sir Richard). I hope you have a wonderful day full of love. Paul."

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