After a horrifying airplane accident in 2008, Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker is still coping with the tragic aftermath.
PHOTOS: Rock Star Dad! Travis Barker Spends Time With The Kids After Emergency Surgery
The 36-year-old father of two, who has been completely sober for the past three months, reveals that he was on 19 bipolar meds after the incident and recently found out he now has a condition called Barrett’s esophagus. He explained in the August 2012 issue of The Red Bulletin:
“I used to love smoking weed. Especially after my accident, I got off my 19 bipolar medicines and all the stuff they said I’d be on for the rest of my life and I would smoke weed at night if I had anxiety.”
The rocker, who gave up weed and alcohol, continued:
“I always thought I’d be able to do that for the rest of my life, but when your health is on the line, you don’t f*ck around.”
When the ex-reality star had an endoscopy completed three months ago, doctors discovered his esophagus had become pre-cancerous. That’s when he made the decision to turn his life around, saying:
“They found that I had six ulcers, and I had a condition that’s called Barrett’s esophagus, which is basically from really extreme acid reflux or if you excessively smoked, your esophagus lining becomes pre-cancerous. Right then and there I changed my whole life around… It’s irreversible, which is what sucks. For me it was an awakening. I was already healthy. I was already a vegan. I would mess up from time to time, but I’m happy to say I’m three months completely sober and I plan on staying that way the rest of my life.”
In addition to getting healthy, Travis, who hasn’t flown in a plane since the accident, wants to get over his fear of flying.
“It’s something I want to overcome for me, and my kids are scared to death to fly. I want them to witness me overcome it. I’ve got to get over it, man. I could simply say I’m not going to fly for the rest of my life. I’m not going to. It’s something I honestly want to try to put behind me.”
We’re glad Travis is making progress after the terrible accident. Be sure to pick up a copy of The Red Bulletin on newsstands now!
SOURCE: The Red Bulletin
