Steve-O is no stranger to substance misuse. The “Jackass” star struggled with the disease for many years. As Johnny Knoxville told Access, he and his pals had to stage an intervention for Steve-O when his substance misuse went out of control, leading to him feeling suicidal. “But he went [to rehab], and to his credit, man, he just stuck with it, and he’s been sober two-and-a-half years,” Knoxville said.
Having been in the same position as Bam Margera and come out the other side, Steve-O begged his friend to seek help. He made the plea after Margera fled rehab in February 2023 and posted yet another rant on his Instagram (via Page Six). “Bam, last night you had your five year old son with you on stage at my show,” Steve-O commented, “and you were blessed with the chance to spend another day or two with him — then as soon as you left my show, you stayed up all night getting loaded enough to think it was a good idea to post more vile nonsense like this.” He added that he couldn’t force Margera to get help and was thus prepared for his death. “You’re dying, brother, and it sucks that I can’t do anything to save you,” he wrote. The comment quickly went viral.
On “Steve-O’s Wild Ride,” the podcaster later admitted that he regretted commenting on Margera’s post, arguing that it was inappropriate to make his friend’s deeply personal struggles public.
If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 or by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255).