Elton John marked 36 years of sobriety on July 30, 2026, sharing an emotional update on social media.
The 79-year-old musician posted a photo of himself at an outdoor restaurant with his zero-alcohol sparkling wine brand.
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"36 years sober today. Raising a 0% glass to life.
Grateful for every single day," he wrote. The post received widespread praise, including from Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz-Beckham.
A Journey from Addiction to Recovery
John entered recovery at Parkside Lutheran Hospital in Chicago on July 29, 1990, after 16 years of severe substance abuse and alcoholism.
He described his past life as "not a normal life," marked by dangerous physical side effects and detachment from reality.
"I lost complete touch with that. I vowed when I did change my life that that would never happen again," he said.
The singer recalled chest pains, staying awake for days, and collapsing from spasms.
"Every creative artist does have doubt... And that's what turns us into monsters," John explained, noting that chemicals and alcohol worsened his behavior.
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Despite the toll, John emphasized his survival. "I am a survivor," he said.
Sobriety has given him the strength to face life's challenges without resorting to past habits.
"Life is full of pitfalls, even when you're sober. I can deal with them now because I don't have to run away and hide," he added.
John recalled a turning point when he asked for help. "It nearly destroyed my soul," he said.
"My soul was black... until I said, 'I need help.'
And suddenly, a little pilot light in my soul came along."
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Since his recovery, John has advocated for addiction recovery and supported figures like Eminem and Boy George in their sobriety journeys.
