Bam Margera, the former prankster and co-host of MTV’s hit show Jackass, has been known for his outrageous humor. However, behind the fame lies a dark and troubling story of addiction. Margera's journey has been marked by struggles with substance abuse, multiple rehab stints, and very public battles with his personal demons. This article delves into Margera's weight loss journey, inextricably linked to his fight for sobriety and overall well-being.
Early Struggles and the Influence of Jackass
Margera's career in the spotlight began with Jackass, where his physical antics and carefree persona endeared him to audiences. However, the pressures of fame and constant scrutiny took a toll. "When you’re on camera a lot, people have a lot to say," Margera’s mom, April, shared in Viceland’s episode of “Epicly Later’D.” April noted that her son always wanted to have a slim look.
The Ville Valo Connection and the Start of Unhealthy Habits
A significant turning point, as described by April, was Bam's friendship with Ville Valo. “[Ville] is the loveliest man ever, but he never ate, he just drank." This association seemingly influenced Bam's habits, leading to unhealthy behaviors. From there, the drinking morphed into bulimia, April shared. “We would go out to dinner and then he would immediately excuse himself and go to the bathroom,” she said.
Body Image Issues and Public Scrutiny
The relentless public attention on his appearance further exacerbated his struggles. "It really hurts me when people make comments like, ‘You look like you gained some weight there. Hey, wow, Bam… you’re looking like your dad,’” April added. These comments, though seemingly casual, contributed to Bam's already fragile self-image and fueled his unhealthy coping mechanisms.
Acknowledging the Problem and Seeking Help
In 2016, Margera appeared on “Family Therapy With Dr. Jenn,” where he opened up about his struggles with substance abuse and depression. He attributed his drinking to the death of his costar Ryan Dunn and the feeling of being “completely lost.” Margera has been vocal about how his addiction has affected his family, including his wife and son, and has sought help through several treatment programs. Despite celebrating one year of sobriety in May 2022, Margera made headlines the following month after fleeing an inpatient treatment program in Florida.
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The Role of Alcohol
Margera himself acknowledged his late start with alcohol. “I didn’t officially start drinking until maybe 24 or 25,” he said. However, once it began, it quickly spiraled into a problem. Margera has long been open with fans about his struggles. In 2018, he shared with People that he credits re-learning how to skateboard with his previous recovery. “I took a five-year hiatus from skating because I had bone spurs, so instead I was making money by doing nightclub appearances, which basically was shooting photos and taking shots with the locals,” he said. “So I was s-bag wasted every night, and eventually was like, ‘This has to stop.’ Once I woke up in my own puke and p-, I knew I had to cut it off.”
The Impact on Family
Bam Margera’s addiction had a significant impact on his personal life, including his relationship with his wife, Nicole Boyd, and their son, Phoenix. He has spoken about the struggle and turmoil it caused in his family and even reached out for help from TV personality, Dr. Phil McGraw, as his family was falling apart.
Rehab and Relapses
Margera's journey to sobriety has been far from linear. He's been in and out of rehab several times. In June, he was placed on a psychiatric hold at a Los Angeles mental health facility after authorities determined that he was a danger to himself and others. After the involuntary hold came to an end, Bam headed straight to a rehab center owned by former Los Angeles Lakers player Lamar Odom. TMZ reported that Lamar greeted the former TV star upon his release from the mental health center. But after about a week at the Odom Wellness Treatment Center, Bam suddenly left - as he has before. In June 2022, Bam fled a Florida rehab facility. Bam Margera is once again seeking help for alcohol addiction. On Monday, the onetime professional skateboarder and star of MTV’s Jackass shared on Instagram that he plans to enter rehab for the third time. In the post, which showed him holding his one-year-old son, Margera wrote: “Off to alcohol rehab for the 3rd time. I am hoping the term 3rd time is a charm is true.” The announcement comes nearly one year after the 39-year-old got a DUI, Complex reported. Of that DUI, his mother, April, told Page Six, "He’s embarrassed by it. He’s mad at himself for being stupid. Now he just wants to pick up the pieces and move forward for himself and for his family."
A Glimmer of Hope: Sobriety and a Healthier Lifestyle
Despite the setbacks, there have been periods of progress. According to a Dec. 1 report, the former prankster recently celebrated four months of sobriety. The onetime MTV star is even skateboarding again and has lost a significant amount of weight since getting clean. TMZ reported that Bam Margera has been living on a farm outside of Philadelphia with his girlfriend, Dannii, who's on the same page about staying healthy. They reportedly share daily workouts at the gym and often hike with their dogs. According to TMZ, despite friends and family imploring him to ditch the bottle for years, this is the first time Bam has actually wanted to get sober and hasn't felt like he was being forced to go through an intervention.
External Support and Motivation
In his sobriety journey, Bam Margera, 44, had a choice to make: booze or his girlfriend, Dannii. TMZ reported that Dannii gave Bam "an ultimatum," and he ultimately chose her.On Dec. 1, 2023, Bam Margera's sobriety got public support from Mark Wahlberg."Bam, what's up brother," Mark said in an Instagram video. "So happy for you and your sobriety. 120 days. God bless you, bro. Hope you and your family are well and I look forward to connecting with you soon. Always been such a big fan and look forward to seeing you."
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Reconnecting with Family
Now that he's sober, Bam Margera is also working on his relationship with his 5-year-old son, Phoenix. The two reportedly speak on FaceTime four times a week. Over the summer, Bam was caught on camera screaming at his ex-wife, Nicole Boyd, for refusing to let him see their son. Bam noted that if he couldn't see Phoenix, he would "smoke crack until [he] died."It's believed that Phoenix lives in Los Angeles with his mother. According to TMZ, Bam recently got cleared to see his son, Phoenix, and will soon head to California to see his only child. Las Vegas, where Mark lives, is on the way, and it's highly conceivable the two could connect in person.
Current Status and Future Outlook
After years of troubling behavior and multiple rehab stints, Bam Margera is now sober and thriving. Bam, who’s still fighting to stay sober, now lives in Spain with his pregnant wife Nicole Boyd. Bam noted on social media that he's wearing an alcohol detection bracelet, which stems from an Aug. 9 arrest in Pennsylvania for public intoxication and disorderly conduct. In late November 2023, Bam Margera went to Texas to work on a movie and develop new artwork for a clothing company, TMZ reported.
The Importance of Support and Continued Effort
Addiction treatment can often be a bumpy road, but Margera’s family remains dedicated to supporting him in his recovery. Despite the setbacks, they hope he will turn up quickly and re-dedicate himself to sober living. As for staying sober and getting healthy, that’s a long journey. But one Margera also told Jenkem he’s willing to take. "I never had any pill problems and I've never tried heroin in my life, but it's been a real struggle for me to stay off the alcohol,” he said. “But just as long you're surrounded by good people and you have something to do, you'll be good.”
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