Phil Collins Opens Up About Life-Threatening Alcoholism Battle 2026

Phil Collins has opened up about his life-threatening alcoholism, revealing that his drinking became so severe that people were coming to say goodbye. The 75-year-old music legend shared his harrowing experience with the Sunday Times, detailing a seven-month hospital stay and the moment his organs began to fail.

Phil Collins' Battle with Alcoholism

Collins explained that his recent relapse began after he stopped taking Antabuse, a medication that induces illness when alcohol is consumed. He had been using the drug to manage his sobriety following an earlier period of alcohol abuse. Without it, he fell back into heavy drinking, starting with wine at breakfast time.

His alcohol intake led to severe health complications, including damage to his pancreas and kidneys. In November 2023, he was hospitalized and remained there for seven months. During this time, his condition deteriorated to the point where doctors discussed whether to keep him on life support.

Hospitalization and Near-Death Experience

Collins recalled, "There were some decisions to be made about 'Do we keep Phil on life support?' kind of thing. My kidneys were packing up, my organs were just seizing up. People were coming to say goodbye. But I don’t remember them coming, I didn’t have no idea this was going on."

He described feeling lucky to have survived, adding, "It could all have gone so terribly wrong. I was very lucky to have come out of that. Needless to say, I haven’t had a drink since."

Previous Struggles with Alcohol

This is not the first time Collins has spoken about his issues with alcohol. In 2015, he told Rolling Stone about a period of heavy drinking following his 2006 divorce from third wife, Orianne Cevey. He said, "It left me with a lot of time on my hands to think about what happened. I went through a few bits of darkness; drinking too much. I killed my hours watching TV and drinking, and it almost killed me."

At that time, he had been sober for three years, but the recent relapse shows how challenging long-term recovery can be.

Other Health Issues and Impact on Career

Collins has faced a series of health problems beyond alcoholism. He has undergone surgery for neck and spine issues, which have left him unable to play the drums. During the Genesis reunion tour in 2021, he could only perform as a vocalist while seated. In 2016, he was diagnosed with diabetes.

Despite these challenges, Collins remains grateful for the support of his fans. He told the Guardian before the Genesis concerts, "Of course, my health does change things, doing the show seated changes things. But I actually found on my recent solo tours, it didn’t get in the way; the audience were still listening and responding."

Comparison of Alcoholism Statistics

Key Takeaways from Phil Collins' Story

• Alcoholism can be life-threatening, even after years of sobriety.
• Medication like Antabuse can help, but stopping it without support increases relapse risk.
• Early intervention and medical care are crucial for recovery.
• Celebrity stories can raise awareness but also highlight the need for professional help.

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