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Shawn Johnson East, the retired Olympic gymnast, recently shared her commitment to abstaining from narcotic pain medications as part of her recovery from addiction. During a candid Instagram Story Q&A, she opened up about her decision to forego such medications during her recent cesarean section for the birth of her third child.
Despite the challenges of scar tissue and postoperative soreness, Johnson East chose not to use narcotic pain meds to avoid triggering past addictive habits, particularly stemming from her prior addiction to Adderall.
In her Instagram post, she reflected on her history with Adderall, mentioning how a doctor prescribed it to help with appetite and energy during her 2010 comeback. However, after being heavily addicted to it for seven years and experiencing its control over her life, she made a firm decision to stay away from anything potentially addictive. Johnson East expressed her fear of feeling out of control as she did during her Adderall addiction and highlighted her commitment to avoiding similar substances.
Currently, her sole reliance for pain relief is on over-the-counter medications like Tylenol or Motrin.
This revelation follows Johnson East’s earlier disclosure in a YouTube video titled “Body Image Issues: 110 Lbs. to Pregnant,” where she candidly discussed her struggle with body image post-Olympics in 2008. Feeling lost and burdened by unrealistic standards, she resorted to extreme measures, including various weight loss pills and Adderall, in an attempt to regain her Olympic physique and gain societal acceptance.
She recounted her spiral into a dark period where she experimented with various medications, drugs, and extreme diets in pursuit of the perceived ideal body image, highlighting her vulnerability during those years.
Through her recent Instagram Q&A and previous YouTube video, Shawn Johnson East has openly shared her challenging journey, shedding light on the pressures faced by athletes and the impact of societal expectations on mental health and well-being. Her commitment to recovery and self-care stands as a powerful example of resilience and determination in overcoming personal struggles.