General Hospital Star Jacob Young Details Seven-Year Opioid Addiction
Soap opera actor Jacob Young has publicly shared his experience with a seven-year opioid addiction, revealing he lived a double life while starring on the popular daytime drama General Hospital. In a recent interview on the Imperfectly Perfect podcast, Young, 46, explained that his dependency began after he received a prescription for Vicodin following dental surgery.
The Onset of Addiction and Career Impact
Young, best known for playing Lucky Spencer on General Hospital, stated, "I started getting hooked on opioids and I went through seven years of my life wasted on opioids." He emphasized that his drug use did not interfere with his professional responsibilities, saying, "I always showed up, I always did my lines. I was always well-studied." However, he described feeling a need to numb himself, with the pills providing a sense of normalcy.
Living a Lie and Seeking Help
Reflecting on this period, Young admitted, "I was living a lie. I was living an absolute lie." He managed to conceal his addiction from everyone, including his wife, Christen Steward, for years. Eventually, he broke down and confessed to her, leading him to seek counseling. Young shared, "I was like, 'Look, I'm addicted. And I can't get off this because I don't want to get sick, but I need help.'" Through therapy, he worked to address the underlying issues driving his addiction, calling the recovery process a tough journey.
Past Struggles with Substance Abuse
Young also opened up about previous battles with alcohol and cocaine, which he overcame after meeting Steward. He attributed his past drug use to undiagnosed emotional struggles, including resentment and depression. Young and Steward married in 2007 and have three children: Luke, 17, Molly, 12, and Grace, 9.
Career Achievements and Support Resources
Beyond General Hospital, Young has had notable roles on The Bold and the Beautiful and All My Children, earning a Daytime Emmy in 2002. The article concludes with resources for those affected by drug addiction, such as Frank in the UK and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in the US.
