Kat Von D opens up about her sobriety as she visits Bam Margera in rehab

Kat Von D took to Instagram to show her support for friend Bam Margera while he attends a 90-day substance abuse program, candidly sharing how a close friend helped her during her own struggle with sobriety nearly 12 years ago.

On Monday, the 37-year-old tattoo artist shared on Instagram that becoming sober was "not easy."

Kat Von D is supporting her friend, Bam Margera, while he attends a 90-day substance abuse program. (Photo: Chris Polk/FilmMagic)
Kat Von D is supporting her friend, Bam Margera, while he attends a 90-day substance abuse program. (Photo: Chris Polk/FilmMagic)

"Even though it’s gonna be 12 years in July that I celebrate being clean from drinking and drugs, I still clearly remember the physical pain from withdrawals, the profound desire to die, and the overwhelming sense of loneliness I felt that day I decided to quit," she wrote. "You quickly realize who your real friends are when you make such big changes. And to be honest, I was left with almost no one."

Von D candidly shared that on the second day of her detoxing, she was experiencing suicidal thoughts when a friend came over to her apartment and "found the most pathetic/vulnerable version of me on my apartment floor." She said the friend suggested that they draw — a hobby that Von D described as “the one thing that has always saved me from myself.”

"Looking back, I realize he was just helping me put one foot in front of the other," Von D wrote. "Maybe it was just a distraction, or maybe it was his way of helping me refocus on the one thing that has always saved me from myself."

On Sunday, the artist revealed that she visited Margera during his current attempt at rehabilitation. In August, Margera was arrested for trespassing after refusing to leave the Luxe Hotel in Los Angeles. According to TMZ, the former MTV star pled no contest to the one-count of trespassing and entered a plea deal in which he must successfully complete 90 days in a substance abuse program and avoid contact with the hotel during his three-year-long probation period in order to avoid jail time.

In January, Margera left treatment just 10 days after entering. It was his third time attending rehab for alcohol addiction, according to CNN. The former “Jackass” star has addressed his attempts at sobriety publicly, both on social media and in interviews.

Von D has also often talked openly about her struggle with substance abuse in the past.

In 2016, speaking with LA's KROQ-FM, Von D said, “I am a believer that we’re all human and we’re all capable of making mistakes... I think if I were to be crucified for my drug addiction three years ago now, it would be hard to live with that. I’m sober now, and it’s awesome. But I have made mistakes, too."

On Instagram, Von D wrote: "I’m so proud to see Bam sincerely trying to make such meaningful changes — as hard as it is being away from family and home. Thank you, Bam for always being there for me. I’m so f***ing proud of you, and can’t wait to see all the amazing things you’re gonna do.”

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