Kristen Bell Says Dax Shepard Is “Addicted to Growth” Post-Relapse
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During an October 13th virtual visit to The Ellen Degeneres Show, Kristen Bell confirmed that husband Dax Shepard is "actually doing really great" since announcing he had relapsed after celebrating 16 years of sobriety in September. "Everybody is up against their own demons," Bell told Degeneres, later adding that Shepard is "addicted to growth."
"Sometimes it's anxiety and depression. Sometimes it's substance abuse," Bell said of those "demons." She said that Shepard had no qualms with coming to her to admit that the couple needs a "stronger plan" to tackle his recovery.
"'I was faltering,'" Bell said Shepard told her when he relapsed. "'I have to do some sort of emotional work to figure out why I wanted to use again.'"
A post shared by kristen bell (@kristenanniebell) on Sep 1, 2020 at 6:13pm PDT
Shepard announced he had relapsed during a September 25th episode of his podcast Armchair Expert. At the time of recording, Shepard was seven days sober following the use of painkillers after a motorcycle accident earlier this year. Bell told Degeneres that she is usually the one to handle any of his prescribed medications, but as Shepard explained on the podcast, he had begun purchasing his own pills and lying about doing so. That was when he realizes he needed help.
"One of the main reasons I love him is that he's also addicted to growth," Bell continued. "He's addicted to evolving, and he was like, 'I don't want to risk this family and I did, so let's put new things in place to make sure it doesn't happen again.'"
Bell told Degeneres that they are both going back to therapy as part of this new plan and that she "will continue to stand by him because he's very, very worth it."
Addiction isn't something one needs to feel ashamed about. In fact, being open and honest with yourself and the ones who love you is an important first step to working through addiction issues and toward a healthier, happier future.
If you or someone you love is struggling and in need of help, contact the SAMHSA National Hotline at 1-800-662-4357.
