LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) –Hollywood veteran Whoopi Goldberg has shared her struggle with drug addiction and grief in her latest memoir, “Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me.”
In the book, Goldberg opens up about the emotional toll caused by the loss of her mother, Emma Johnson, and her older brother, Clyde.
The actress candidly recounts her struggle with cocaine addiction during her early years in the entertainment industry, sharing the dependence that led to hallucinations and a distressing incident where she was bedridden for an entire day.
READ ALSO: How Drug Addiction Nearly Ruined My Life During COVID-19 – Timaya
“I was invited to parties where I was greeted at the door with a bowl of Quaaludes from which I could pick what I wanted. Lines of cocaine were laid across tables and bathroom counters for the taking,” she wrote.
“So I did not move out of bed for twenty-four hours. That kind of sh*t does not end pretty. There is only so long a person can hold their bladder.”
The turning point came when a housekeeper caught her using cocaine in a luxury hotel room, prompting Goldberg to confront her addiction head-on.
Determined to live, she made the difficult decision to change her circle of friends and decline invitations that could jeopardize her recovery.
“I knew I would have to change out my friends and turn down invitations but I could do that. I did not want to die,” she added.
Known for her remarkable achievements in the industry, including Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards, Goldberg’s memoir sheds light on the personal struggles she faced while navigating her successful career.