Hetfield back to rehab... tour canceled.

[Mailman1971]

Ya. My whole family knows I got issues.
Lot of bad shit happened when I was in the military for 13 years.
Booze kinda numbs it. I do get treatment.
But pills and talking don’t replace few shots.

My heart hurts for you. Check your PMs.

Thanks man.
Nothing in the pm though.

 

[dirtyfunkg]

I'm really lucky to have never been bitten by addiction. One of my best friends and former band mates from high school picked up a heroin habit at age 15. He (like most of us) also drank during high school, but nothing out of the ordinary binge drinking your average high school party-goer participates in. From age 18-21, his parents kicked him out and he moved from couch to couch, petty theft to support his habit. Finally he had a breakthrough and at age 21, he went through detox/rehab and came back clean of heroin. With him clean, we tried to re-form our band.

Gradually he started drinking... started as a couple of drinks after a gig, turned into 5-7 drinks BEFORE the show and a sloppy performance which led us to kick him out of the band. We didn't talk for about a year while the awkwardness of the situation was still at forefront, but then we reconnected and became drinking buddies (something I now regret)... until things just started to seem dangerous.

He slid off into two year long binge, then had a breakdown, ended up in the hospital and detoxed.

After this, we met up to catch up and just walked around town until we happened to walk by a beer bar. How or why I agreed to go in, I can't remember, but he said "oh yeah, I'm can have just one or two at a time." I went along with it, and we each had ONE beer together, then went on our way. The next weekend, he texts me like, "Hey, you wanna go grab a couple beers?" and that's when I realized that joining him would enable his slide back, so I declined but said I'd be fine to get coffee. He was pissed, and that confirmed my suspicion.

I haven't seen him in a couple of years when he was last (to my knowledge) trying to get sober again, but then I heard other stories of him getting drunk and beating on his girlfriend (who had stood by him through all of this BS for nine years... she finally left him and I'm so happy for her). Underneath the drunkenness is one of my best friends, but man, I haven't seen that person in over a decade now. I miss him, but I don't want to be around him when he's just going to use me as an excuse to drink like old times.

Alcohol is the hardest drug to kick because it's everywhere. Advertisements, any/every social event may involve a beer or bottle of wine, or a cocktail. You don't need to visit a skeezy drug dealer to get your fix when your dealer is the checkout clerk at your local grocery/pharmacy or is your friendly bartender at the local dive.

I was talking to the former CEO of my last company... he used to be known for doing lemon drop shots at company parties, so I asked him about it and he talked about getting clean, and the shame/awkwardness that comes with NOT drinking at your own company's happy hour, and the excuses you make up until you come to terms with the fact that you just can't do it anymore... ever.

So, to the guys on here struggling with it... I can't say I understand it because I haven't lived it. But I know it's real, and it's really fucking tough. I wish you the best.

_______________________________________________

Back to Hetfield/Metallica... I really have to wonder what his band-mates and the Metallica "organization" have been doing to help. Like seriously, they've got a certified alcoholic of a frontman and they're doing whiskey and beer partnerships... REALLY? They need money that badly?? What the hell were they thinking? You can't take an alcoholic to a whiskey barrel house, have him put his name on the bottle and tell him, "Yeah, you're endorsing this but you're not allowed to try it." Shit, how stupid could they have been?

 

[romanianreaper]

Ya. My whole family knows I got issues.
Lot of bad shit happened when I was in the military for 13 years.
Booze kinda numbs it. I do get treatment.
But pills and talking don’t replace few shots.

I don't know if I remembered that you were in the military. I was in and have a ton of friends at work that were in and we always talk about how drinking is a requirement for being in the military. I was legendary in Taegu, Korea in 1990 and they are still probably fixing stuff I broke over there and telling stories.

I have a lot of friends on pills that saw some bad shit as well. One of my buddies was in three IED attacks. Two he talks about and one he won't even mention or reference at all. He is doing way better than when I first met him five years ago.

I had to watch myself back a few years ago to make sure I didn't go down that road. In a one-year timeframe, my daughter's best friend committed suicide, another friend of hers overdosed, she was in the middle of drug abuse, and my wife left after 26 years of marriage. People thought I was going to lose my shit. Thank God for guitars!! LOL! Music has always been a lifesaver.

Fast forward a few years and my kid is clean, I'm friends with my ex, etc. Keep doing your thing man and kicking life's ass. Things can get frustrating, etc. and not be easy but it can be done. I have up and down days. I love being able to turn to my music and my gear and escape all the craziness.

 

[stanbog]

Back to Hetfield/Metallica... I really have to wonder what his band-mates and the Metallica "organization" have been doing to help. Like seriously, they've got a certified alcoholic of a frontman and they're doing whiskey and beer partnerships... REALLY? They need money that badly?? What the hell were they thinking? You can't take an alcoholic to a whiskey barrel house, have him put his name on the bottle and tell him, "Yeah, you're endorsing this but you're not allowed to try it." Shit, how stupid could they have been?

I think you should not think of Metallica as a band. I mean, sure the band is there and is producing music and performing shows. But after a certain point of time (and success) it became a corporation, simply because of the fact that 4 guys (well, Lars and James actually) cannot CEO a growing corporation as a part time job. I am sure, they are far from having inspected everything that is labelled "Metallica". So, if a whisky producer contacts the managers of their licensing company with an offer of x millions per year for using their brand, I simply cannot imagine the manager calling Lars in order to ask for permission and approval.

 

[dirtyfunkg]

Back to Hetfield/Metallica... I really have to wonder what his band-mates and the Metallica "organization" have been doing to help. Like seriously, they've got a certified alcoholic of a frontman and they're doing whiskey and beer partnerships... REALLY? They need money that badly?? What the hell were they thinking? You can't take an alcoholic to a whiskey barrel house, have him put his name on the bottle and tell him, "Yeah, you're endorsing this but you're not allowed to try it." Shit, how stupid could they have been?

I think you should not think of Metallica as a band. I mean, sure the band is there and is producing music and performing shows. But after a certain point of time (and success) it became a corporation, simply because of the fact that 4 guys (well, Lars and James actually) cannot CEO a growing corporation as a part time job. I am sure, they are far from having inspected everything that is labelled "Metallica". So, if a whisky producer contacts the managers of their licensing company with an offer of x millions per year for using their brand, I simply cannot imagine the manager calling Lars in order to ask for permission and approval.

Even so, when you're at that scale, your management is still supposed to know where the lines are, and even after that, at some point, they inform the band that "Hey, you need to go do a promo photo shoot to promote your new whiskey," and SOMEONE in the band is supposed to be like, "Hard no, we cannot do this."

Like, even, or even especially in a corporation (hence my saying "organization"), there are supposed to be checks to ensure things like these types of endorsements don't happen.

You can't expect to put an alcoholic (with a known love of whiskey) in a barrel warehouse for a photoshoot, where the smell of whiskey is STRONG, and expect him to walk out with any thoughts other than, "That smelled really good, man I miss that stuff, I wonder if I could even take just a teensy weensy taste."

 

[riffsfordaze]

Ya. My whole family knows I got issues.
Lot of bad shit happened when I was in the military for 13 years.
Booze kinda numbs it. I do get treatment.
But pills and talking don’t replace few shots.

I don't know if I remembered that you were in the military. I was in and have a ton of friends at work that were in and we always talk about how drinking is a requirement for being in the military. I was legendary in Taegu, Korea in 1990 and they are still probably fixing stuff I broke over there and telling stories.

I have a lot of friends on pills that saw some bad shit as well. One of my buddies was in three IED attacks. Two he talks about and one he won't even mention or reference at all. He is doing way better than when I first met him five years ago.

I had to watch myself back a few years ago to make sure I didn't go down that road. In a one-year timeframe, my daughter's best friend committed suicide, another friend of hers overdosed, she was in the middle of drug abuse, and my wife left after 26 years of marriage. People thought I was going to lose my shit. Thank God for guitars!! LOL! Music has always been a lifesaver.

Fast forward a few years and my kid is clean, I'm friends with my ex, etc. Keep doing your thing man and kicking life's ass. Things can get frustrating, etc. and not be easy but it can be done. I have up and down days. I love being able to turn to my music and my gear and escape all the craziness.

"Music has always been a lifesaver."
Truth

 

[riffsfordaze]

I feel bad for anyone who is an addict, but I feel less bad for someone in their 50's with millions who can't get his shit figured out. At some point it's never going to happen. Retire from music for good, sort yourself out. People talk about "demons"..some of them are brought onto yourself. Sorry, not sorry.

This ^^ right here is why I question our humanity and the state of our World daily. Addiction does not give a shit how much money you have, race, creed, age, etc, etc... it is an internal, wired disease that spiderwebs through the best and worst of us. And some's 'demons' were implanted long before they knew what demons were... the mind and body sometimes have to find ways to fight those demons they never asked for... and addiction becomes a way of life. We..and that's you too.. never truly know who someone is, their story, their life. And while yes, some addicts just don't want to do the work and get better... there are so many out there trying. And I go back to the top... it's a shame another thread has to be twisted into something negative.... shame.

I hope this does make you question. Question why you feel so much for a man who could give a shit less about you and has no idea that you even exist. Why? Because he wrote some cool riffs 30 years ago? A man who lives in a giant mansion, who has more money than anyone you know will ever have and can't get help or does not care to get it. You are totally wrong thinking we are all on "equal ground" fighting addiction. Money matters. Total fucking deluded bullshit. He would be in jail right now, or dead if he were an "everyday guy". These people have the best doctors, the best retreats, the best everything. Sorry if I don't shed tears for a guy who has had every chance on earth, and his biggest loss is having to cancel a tour where he will make millions..again.

Absolutely!

So Goat from another previous post on this thread you claim to be a Roy Buchanan and Gary Moore fan... Did it at all bother you that Alcoholism played a major part in the death of both Roy Buchanan and Gary Moore or no? Just curious. No disrespect to Buchanan or Moore, they are undoubtedly among the best ever... but they surely (like Hetfield) had the "means" to get upper tier addiction treatment!

 

[Kordoba]

Thanks man. The simple ‘drink after work’ becomes daily.
One turns to 2.... etc
I got my annual physical coming up.
Been winding it down. Going ok.
I could not imagine trying to kick drugs if booze is this hard.

With the dreaded bloodwork/liver enzyme panel.

You know this too well my friend.

My bloodwork has been good since I quit the bar scene in 2009. Had some doozies back in the day though.

 

[thegame]

Hi, my name is Kirk. I have a wahlcohol problem. Everyone, "Hi Kirk!"

 

[romanianreaper]

Back to Hetfield/Metallica... I really have to wonder what his band-mates and the Metallica "organization" have been doing to help. Like seriously, they've got a certified alcoholic of a frontman and they're doing whiskey and beer partnerships... REALLY? They need money that badly?? What the hell were they thinking? You can't take an alcoholic to a whiskey barrel house, have him put his name on the bottle and tell him, "Yeah, you're endorsing this but you're not allowed to try it." Shit, how stupid could they have been?

I think you should not think of Metallica as a band. I mean, sure the band is there and is producing music and performing shows. But after a certain point of time (and success) it became a corporation, simply because of the fact that 4 guys (well, Lars and James actually) cannot CEO a growing corporation as a part time job. I am sure, they are far from having inspected everything that is labelled "Metallica". So, if a whisky producer contacts the managers of their licensing company with an offer of x millions per year for using their brand, I simply cannot imagine the manager calling Lars in order to ask for permission and approval.

James is Metallica. He is the look, the riffs, the honesty, the humor, etc. I've been a huge Metallica fan since 85' and I do think each member plays a role, especially back in the day. But James is the core.

One other thing I was going to say is that everyone is assuming it is alcohol with James. It could be depression from being away from family, prescription pills, thoughts of suicide, etc. They have been on tour forever. May not be him being back on alcohol like he was.

 

[suhrimmetal]

Back to Hetfield/Metallica... I really have to wonder what his band-mates and the Metallica "organization" have been doing to help. Like seriously, they've got a certified alcoholic of a frontman and they're doing whiskey and beer partnerships... REALLY? They need money that badly?? What the hell were they thinking? You can't take an alcoholic to a whiskey barrel house, have him put his name on the bottle and tell him, "Yeah, you're endorsing this but you're not allowed to try it." Shit, how stupid could they have been?

I think you should not think of Metallica as a band. I mean, sure the band is there and is producing music and performing shows. But after a certain point of time (and success) it became a corporation, simply because of the fact that 4 guys (well, Lars and James actually) cannot CEO a growing corporation as a part time job. I am sure, they are far from having inspected everything that is labelled "Metallica". So, if a whisky producer contacts the managers of their licensing company with an offer of x millions per year for using their brand, I simply cannot imagine the manager calling Lars in order to ask for permission and approval.

James is Metallica. He is the look, the riffs, the honesty, the humor, etc. I've been a huge Metallica fan since 85' and I do think each member plays a role, especially back in the day. But James is the core.

One other thing I was going to say is that everyone is assuming it is alcohol with James. It could be depression from being away from family, prescription pills, thoughts of suicide, etc. They have been on tour forever. May not be him being back on alcohol like he was.

And this ^^^ is a very honest and good point. Regardless.. we don't know what the root is.. or his fix is. And we NEVER truly know what someone is dealing with and going through...ever. We are all cut from different cloth.. and every moment we've had along our way has woven a thread into our pattern.. I can't begin to know 'you'.. nor you me.. but we all have these keyboard warriors that just spit negativety and judgement likes it's them learning a Nirvana riff...ie:.. easy. But I will say.... Ive read through this thread and it makes me feel good... it shows that we all struggle.. and some of us are truly in the dirt trying to get better... OR.. we know someone very close doing the same. Addiction is an epidemic... it's as close as the mirror... or your best friend a door away.. or a story you hear about... and it goes back to... it doesn't matter the money, the fame, the race, the religion,.... it costs you nothing to be kind... shed some light.. The negative... that shit will drown you in weight. Cheers...and be kind.

 

[Hamer95USA]

My take on what's happening with James Hetfield and the cancellation of Metallica's upcoming tour:
I hope that James can work out on what caused him to start drinking again and can come back mentally in a good state of mind and be in good physical health for himself and his family. The band and fans will just have to wait until he's ready to come back to the stage and the whole van/bus/jet/waiting in lobbies/hotel rooms touring regimen that goes with it. They're at the top of their game in their genre of music which isn't easy to achieve in today's musical culture and where bands that might as good as them haven't achieved the success they could of had.

Guitar George

 

[Philhouse]

I still think Lars (and Q Prime) have a fair bit to be accountable for this situation, not just with the Alcohol promo stuff around an Alcoholic band member. I can't see Lars and Kirk coping well if they took a Cocaine endorsement.
James had enough by 2000-2003 and had already gotten to a point of such poor health that he did his rehab stint (as everyone knows in SKOM), but I recall when he came out there was agreement on some strict cutting back on Band time, more family and home time, and an agreement on much shorter tour runs. That all seems to have fallen away as they have now just done 3 years in support of HWTSD of almost back to back exclusive American and Europe gigs. It seems like Lars (and Co) just can't say 'No' to more & more lucrative gigs and short tour runs. $$$$$$$ YES PLEASE $$$$$
The short two week runs that they were doing back in 2000's have crept back into the years and years of tours again and have probably ground the guy down again and he's back coping using the unhealthy methods.
It shouldn't take them 3 years to get around to Australia. I know we are just small fry WRT profit returns and population compared to the Northern Hemisphere, but we do have loyal fans too. This time it seem they've burnt the candle at both ends with James and we unfortunately have copped the tail end of it.

I think they should be doing an album, then tour of the US, and the Summer Europe festival gigs, then they move onto the rest of the globe, tick off all the main countries, then have a decent break. IF they're ALL up for it maybe another short run in either US or Europe, but then head back into the writing/recording phase. Keep the creative process flowing rather than run them out through endless touring and we end up with albums only every 8 years because they seem to always run themselves into the ground and need 3 years to recover.

I'll be honestly surprised if James actually comes back into that Metallica Juggernaut that Lars and Co have created. He'll prob just walk away from it all. He don't need the money or fame, just his health and family these days. He's got nothing to prove anymore, Lars would be fucked without his 'Golden Goose'.

 

[JimAnsell]

To suggest that someone in their 50's who is richer than god can't "figure their shit out" to stop, is certainly Aloof, if not straight up "talking out of ones ass" ignorant.
I worked at a country club for 16 years, around millionaires and a few dozen billionaires. These people still fucking DRINK, abuse pills, have the same emotional problems that broke folks have, etc.
You may even think "well, if i was that rich, i'd just check out for 3 months and go to some luxury rehab..."
ITS NOT THAT EASY.

I've struggled with alcohol addiction, and depression for a long time. Seeking professional help is a difficult and humbling step, and going through the actual therapy is never fun. However, there is always help to get, and there is a way out, its just a day to day fight for the rest of ones life.
That story about James going BACK to rehab was a shocker because he seemed to really be doing well. However, as soon as i saw him rocking that 91-96 era handle bar moustache again, i knew he must have fallen off the wagon
All jokes aside, that story actually felt like one of many "signs" showing up in my life, indicating to me that I really need to kick that shit for good.

Jesper Strombald is the other guy whos sobriety i am always cheering for. My two favorite Explorer slinging, alchoholics.

 

[Classic]

To quit that person has got to want to quit. They need motivation. No one is going to provide that motivation - you have to find it within yourself. Sometimes it’s health. Sometimes it’s the birth of a child. Other times it can be for a partner etc etc etc. No one will stop simply because they’re asked to. We don’t know but may be James enjoyed the drink and didn’t see it as an addiction? May be it just got out of hand, again?

Having money changes the battles someone might face but money doesn’t make quitting easier. Metallica are a touring band and as such have a lot of down time to be filled. We don’t know his mental health, we don’t know if he has other issues and we don’t know if something specific triggered this bout.

 

[Dopethrone]

Get better Jaymz, there are still people out here rooting for you, regardless of your privilege.

 

[Ventura]

I feel bad for anyone who is an addict, but I feel less bad for someone in their 50's with millions who can't get his shit figured out. At some point it's never going to happen. Retire from music for good, sort yourself out. People talk about "demons"..some of them are brought onto yourself. Sorry, not sorry.

This ^^ right here is why I question our humanity and the state of our World daily. Addiction does not give a shit how much money you have, race, creed, age, etc, etc... it is an internal, wired disease that spiderwebs through the best and worst of us. And some's 'demons' were implanted long before they knew what demons were... the mind and body sometimes have to find ways to fight those demons they never asked for... and addiction becomes a way of life. We..and that's you too.. never truly know who someone is, their story, their life. And while yes, some addicts just don't want to do the work and get better... there are so many out there trying. And I go back to the top... it's a shame another thread has to be twisted into something negative.... shame.

Here here. It's a long road to beat and it's a never-ending road at that. And no - wealth, women, homes, cars, gear, jewels, vacations, freedom, popularity - none of these dampen the curse of addiction any more than the cat doing his best under a bridge and hitting the 'done-clinic on his own best intentions.

Every day I'm clean and sober? I know my addictions are out there doing push-ups and working out like mad.

Relapses happen and they fucking suck. Sometimes it's because we get too many years under our belts and not enough days. Those in the know will know exactly what that means.

Peace and kudos to Hett for getting back into camp. It's a fight not won alone.