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In her revealing new memoir, “Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me,” Whoopi Goldberg opens up about her tumultuous battle with cocaine addiction, shedding light on the dark side of fame and the allure of drugs in Hollywood and New York City during the 1980s.
Goldberg candidly admits that she struggled with a serious cocaine addiction, even before achieving fame. Despite seeking help and cleaning up her act in the early 1970s, she found herself drawn back into the world of drugs during the hedonistic era of the 1980s.
The actress shares harrowing accounts of the wild party scene she encountered, where drugs flowed freely and were seemingly a prerequisite for entry. Goldberg recalls being welcomed to gatherings where Quaaludes were offered upon arrival, and lines of cocaine were readily available on tables and in bathrooms. In this permissive environment, she admits to succumbing to the temptation of cocaine, believing she could handle it as it was perceived as less dangerous at the time.
According to Goldberg’s memoir, she managed to conceal her drug use for approximately a year, maintaining a facade of normalcy while secretly grappling with addiction. However, the insidious effects of cocaine soon caught up with her, slowing her down and leading to hallucinations that left her terrified.
One particularly alarming incident recounted by Goldberg involves a hallucination where she believed a dangerous creature lurked beneath her bed, instilling a profound sense of fear and prompting a sobering realization of the destructive path her addiction had taken.
As her addiction spiraled out of control, Goldberg found herself trapped in a cycle of dependence, unable to leave her bed for an entire day due to the debilitating effects of drug use. She vividly recalls a moment of shock and self-realization when caught in the act of using drugs by a housekeeper in a Manhattan hotel room, confronting the grim reality of her addiction reflected in her cocaine-covered face.
Despite the gravity of her situation, Goldberg found the courage to confront her addiction head-on, recognizing the need to distance herself from toxic influences and make difficult choices to safeguard her health and well-being. Her journey to recovery serves as a testament to her resilience and determination to reclaim her life from the grips of addiction.
As Goldberg’s memoir hits bookstores on May 7th, readers are granted an intimate glimpse into the tumultuous chapters of her life, highlighting the challenges and triumphs she encountered on her path to redemption. Through her candid storytelling, Goldberg offers hope and inspiration to those grappling with their own struggles, demonstrating that with perseverance and courage, it is possible to overcome even the darkest of demons.