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In a swift departure from the usual topics of discussion aired on Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson’s radio show The Kyle & Jackie O Show, Jackie O revealed her long-standing battle with addiction.
In news that had been completely shielded from not only the public, but Sandilands himself, Henderson broke down on air while reading a passage from her soon-to-be released memoir The Whole Truth.
During the emotional statement, Jackie O outlined the extent of her addiction, stating that at its worst she was drinking excessively, while consuming up to 24 Panadeine Forte painkillers per day, and up to 14 Stilnox sleeping tablets per night.
Coinciding with a particularly stressful time in her life, around 2017 when the star announced her divorce, Henderson revealed that she began dabbling in sedatives and painkillers as a way to numb whatever emotions she was experiencing. But what began as a masking technique, quickly transformed into an uncontrollable path for Henderson, reaching its peak in November 2022 when, with the assistance of her manager Gemma O’Neill, she checked into the Betty Ford Centre for a month-long rehabilitation program.
Speaking about her choice to keep her addiction private from everyone except O’Neill and her 13-year-old daughter, Henderson said: “I feel like I’ve been given this position where I have a platform and I can speak to so many people,” she told listeners.
“I don’t wanna look back one day and think I had an opportunity to help someone by sharing my story and I chose to take the coward’s way out and kept it secret.”
While the on-air statement was planned, the extent of its disclosure had up until that point remained a secret from Sandilands, whose typical shock-jock façade quickly fell as he realised the extent of his co-host’s struggle.
“Addiction is a disease, and it warps your way of thinking,” she continued. “I just thought a sober life would be the most miserable thing ever.”
When asked why she kept her battle private for so long, Henderson responded, “Where do you draw the line? I just didn’t want anyone to know until I had at least gotten a year or more of sobriety under my belt.”
Following the on-air revelation, Henderson’s manager Gemma spoke about how she helped the radio host get the help she needed.
“‘I could see that Jackie was fading away into someone that wasn’t her. I didn’t know how to handle that,” she said.
“I knew there was no way she was going to get better unless something serious happened. I could tell very quickly it was a life or death situation and I needed to move quickly.”
O’Neill immediately secured her a spot at the Betty Ford clinic, organising flights and accompanying Henderson to the US to make sure she received the help she so desperately needed.
At the time of Jackie O’s stint in rehab, the host had told listeners and colleagues that she was taking time to focus on her health following the effects of Covid.
After the episode aired, the host responded to the outpouring of well wishes and listener support, releasing a statement thanking everyone who reached out.
“Your beautiful words truly mean the world to me. I’m taking the weekend to go through each one and respond as best I can. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
