Bassist had problems with drugs and alcohol, especially vodka, which led his pancreas to explode – until he decided to change his life
DUFF MCKAGANbassist from Guns n ‘Rosesfought against the addiction during the beginning of the band, as well as the other members. After decades of career, all musicians of the group’s classic formation say they are sober.
In 2023, the artist revealed in the series Rock & Roll Road Trip (via I have more records than friends), which literally did not take “A glass of water for 12 years.”
Obviously, the consequences would be serious. On a certain day, the bassist woke up with “Acute gas pain” And he said that his body was being harmed beyond the expected. The main organ reached was its pancreas – which was eventually removed:
“My body was failing, my hair was falling. My pancreas had burst. That was my limit.”
The shock of his hospitalization hit even stronger when his mother, who suffered from Parkinson, went to visit him in the hospital in a wheelchair:
“And I saw myself from the bed. And I thought, ‘The order of things is wrong here, man. I should be taking care of her.’ [Eu dizia] ‘I ruined everything and apologize’, and I tried to get better. ”
Duff McKagan and his life change
In an interview from 2022 to Men’s JournalDuff McKagan recalled his drug problem. The bassist had a specific problem with vodka.
“Being so destroyed was not part of the dream. I wanted to play rock, not being an addict or alcoholic. I wanted to get out of this, but every time I tried, I ended up falling.”
In 2018, Matthew McKaganthe musician’s brother, told in an interview with Appetitis for dystortion (via Igor Miranda website) About the attempt to intervene with the Guns N ‘Roses member. According to him, the whole family gathered to help him:
“Our family tried to do an intervention in Seattle. I forgot what year it was, but I had the feeling that we would not be successful. So I traveled there, the whole family met at my mother’s house and the interventionist came. Then, Duff arrived and we were all waiting for him. That lady appeared and said, ‘Your family is here because you care about you and think something is happening.'”
Nowadays, Duff McKagan leads a healthy and sober life. The sport, especially kickboxing, played a key role in its recovery. In addition, the musician has made a change of habits: while before he started his day with vodka, currently drinks lemon water.

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Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.