Comedian John Mulaney Talks About Rehab

There are often situations where celebrities are in the spotlight for reasons they don’t prefer, including struggles with drugs, alcohol, and mental health. Relatively recently, comedian John Mulaney talked about his struggles with addiction and his subsequent stay in an addiction treatment facility. When John Mulaney talks about rehab and his experiences, it helps reduce stigma and highlights the importance of an intervention for people dealing with active addiction.

Who Is John Mulaney?

John Mulaney is an actor, writer, and producer, as well as a standup comedian. He’s perhaps best known for his work as a Saturday Night Live writer and stand-up comedian with specials like The Comeback Kid and the Kid Gorgeous. Mulaney won the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special for Kid Gorgeous. He also did a Netflix comedy special for children called John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch.

A History of Addiction Struggles

Throughout his career, Mulaney has been candid about his struggles with addiction and staying sober.

In 2012, Mulaney talked about his initial decision to get sober in his comedy special, New in Town. At the time, Mulaney said he decided to stop drinking because he was told by others he would black out and ruin their parties. He told the audience that when you drink enough and black out enough, you’ve done so many crazy things that you don’t even know if the stories other people tell you about your behavior are true.

In 2014, the comedian and writer said he’d been sober since September 2005.

Then, in September 2020, Mulaney went to rehab after a long run of recovery. He said he left rehab in October of that year and then moved out of the home he shared with his wife. He hosted Saturday Night Live on Halloween and ultimately relapsed on drugs.

Once again, in December of 2020, Mulaney returned to rehab for 60 days in Pennsylvania.

He said he went for problems with both alcohol and cocaine. When he left the inpatient treatment center, reports were that he was doing well and would continue working on an outpatient basis.

Early Substance Use 

Mulaney says that his substance abuse issues started at around 13. He said he started drinking alcohol to fit in with his peers. That then led to prescription drug abuse and cocaine use. Mulaney has said in past interviews that he kept using drugs even though his parents tried to get him help.

He said his rock bottom came when he was 23, and he was so desperate to get drunk or high that he attempted to drink perfume.

During his first set on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, he once said he would go out with money at night, then blackout and wake up with none. He said it would be even more unsettling when he’d go out with some money, blackout, and wake up with more, indicating he’d traded goods or services, which he found scary.

Mulaney said it was during one of these episodes in his 20s that he realized he didn’t want to continue with drugs and alcohol. He quit cold turkey, staying sober for 15 years.

The Pandemic’s Effect

As mentioned, it wasn’t until 2020 that Mulaney relapsed after such a long period of sobriety, and he wasn’t alone. He was significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as were so many people. He wasn’t working to occupy his time, and he wasn’t experiencing the creative outlet that came with performing. That led to the use of drugs and alcohol for comfort and stimulation.

Before he checked into rehab, Mulaney had temporarily joined the writing staff of Late Night with Seth Meyers.

He said he took the job with the show because it was helping him with his mental health and sense of well-being. Mulaney knew Meyers from his time at Saturday Night Live.

He told Jimmy Kimmel later that he felt he needed a job and that it was beneficial to have assignments and a boss. He said he doesn’t feel like it’s the best thing for him to be in charge of something.

Once he returned to working on Late Night with Seth Meyers, he experienced a full relapse on cocaine and alcohol.

John Mulaney Talks About Rehab

An Important Intervention 

A successful intervention from close friends, including Meyers and Fred Armisen, helped him realize it was time to make a change. He said he was initially mad, but when he looked at the group of friends doing the intervention, realized it was a group of people who cared about him. 

According to Mulaney, as soon as he opened the door, he knew it was an intervention. He thought he was going to have dinner with a college friend, and once he opened the door and saw Meyers, he wanted to beat them all to the punch by letting them know he had a drug problem. He said it came from a desire to always be the smartest person in the room.

Before arriving at the intervention, the comedian had done cocaine and stopped by the studios of Saturday Night Live, acting erratically. 

He accepted the help of the intervention group, going to Pennsylvania and completing 60 days of inpatient rehab.  

Since then, he said he realized he needed to keep working on his recovery after completing inpatient addiction treatment. Mulaney continued with outpatient treatment and moved into a sober living house.

He took a break from his work to put all of his focus on his family and recovery. Mulaney has since said that his life has improved, and he feels there’s a bright future ahead of him, with the support of friends, family, and addiction counselors.

Mulaney also started a new relationship with actress Olivia Munn. The two welcomed a baby together in November 2021.

In February 2022, Mulaney hosted SNL for the fifth time. During his opening monologue, he talked about his experience with drug use, his time in rehab, and the intervention that saved his life.

He went on to talk about his son being born and the meaning that event has in his life. 

Treatment that Feels Like Home

If you’re ready to explore what addiction treatment in the Bay Area could look like for you, please contact our team today. Silicon Valley Recovery can help you improve your quality of life with inpatient rehab programs for drug addiction and alcohol addiction or explain more about another level of care at our rehab facilities, contact us at 408-547-4089.

A Closer Look at the Medical Alcohol Detox Timeline

Alcohol addiction is a serious concern. And as with any other addiction, when you stop drinking alcohol, you will have to go through a detox process.

Learning more about the medical alcohol detox timeline will give you a better idea of what to expect. Once you realize how quickly the withdrawal symptoms will likely pass, that may be the motivation you need to go through the medical detox process.

3 Stages of Alcohol Withdrawal

There are three main stages in the medical alcohol detox timeline. Not everyone experiences all of them, but it is best to be prepared.

Stage 1 – Mild

This stage of the withdrawal process can include the following symptoms:

·  Insomnia

·  Headaches

·  Anxiety

·  Gastrointestinal disturbances

·  Heart palpitations

·  Tremors

Stage 2 – Moderate

In addition to the previous symptoms, this stage can also include:

·  Increased heart rate

·  Increased blood pressure

·  Mild hyperthermia

·  Confusion

·  Rapid abnormal breathing

Stage 3 – Severe

If you experience stage 3 symptoms, you may experience any of the above as well as:

·  Seizures

·  Impaired attention

·  Auditory or visual hallucinations

·  Disorientation

How the Stages Fit Into the Timeline

Once familiar with each stage, you’ll ask, “How do they fit into the medical alcohol detox timeline?”

Stage one typically starts within just eight hours. Stage two will begin within one to three days. Stage three starts within a week.

The Importance of Treatment

Importantly, this timeline is for a medical detox process with treatment and the supervision of a health care professional.

If you do not get treatment, the symptoms of stage three can last for weeks. Additionally, it may take less time than outlined above to move from stage two to stage three without proper treatment.

More Detailed Timeline By the Hour

While the above stages can give you a good general idea of the medical alcohol detox timeline, each stage covers a time range and various symptoms. The following is an example of a “typical” timeline.

Keep in mind that the hours refer to the time since the last drink at each point.

6 to 12 Hours

At just six to 12 hours after the last drink, patients may start to notice the mild symptoms associated with early withdrawal.

These include headaches, agitation, nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, small tremors, insomnia, and mild anxiety.

12 to 24 Hours

At this point, the symptoms may expand to include disorientation and hand tremors, as well as possible seizures.

At 24 Hours

At about 24 hours from the last drink, some people experience hallucinations. These can be tactile, auditory, or visual.

Within 24 to 72 Hours

The symptoms will have peaked for most patients and started to resolve themselves within 24 to 72 hours after the last drink. For the best chance of this quick recovery, it’s important to undergo a medical detox process with supervision.

That being said, the period of 24 to 48 hours after the last drink requires extra medical monitoring. This is when the risk of seizures is the highest.

Right after that phase, from 48 to 72 hours, there is a risk of withdrawal delirium (DTs) appearing. Delirium tremens is rare but severe. It can include delirium, extreme agitation, changes to the mental status, and occasional hallucinations. It only affects about 2% of those with alcohol use disorder.

About 48 hours after the last drink, other possible symptoms include insomnia, excessive sweating, and high fever. Most people will start to notice their withdrawal symptoms improve within five days.
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Medical Alcohol Detox Timeline
A Closer Look at the Medical Alcohol Detox Timeline hour glass

Some People Experience Persistent Symptoms

Everyone is different, but some people will continue to notice withdrawal symptoms after the above medical alcohol detox timeline. This is post-acute withdrawal syndrome, which we will discuss in more detail. Most people will fully recover with the proper medical attention and withdrawal assistance.

But some people may notice some symptoms for months after their last drink. These potential longer-term symptoms may include sleep disturbances, mood changes, and fatigue.

Acute Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome

Another important part of the medical detox process is the possibility of acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Not everyone experiences this, but it can occur in the days and weeks following quitting alcohol. This syndrome includes the potential for seizures, delirium tremens, and loss of consciousness.

The important thing to remember here is that there is a risk of life-threatening health complications when you quit alcohol. Because of that, it is best to have some type of medical supervision when you stop drinking. This will let medical professionals monitor your condition carefully.

Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome

Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) refers to the potential prolonged symptoms that some people notice after they stop drinking. Not everyone experiences these, but they can last for just a few weeks or up to a year.

Some potential symptoms of PAWS include:

·  Anxiety

·  Low energy

·  Emotional outburst

·  Irritability

·  Trouble sleeping

·  Dizziness

·  Memory problems

·  Delayed reflexes

·  Chronic nausea

·  Intense cravings

·  Increased accident proneness

These symptoms typically come and go. You may feel fine one day and have several symptoms the next. The good news is that most episodes of PAWS are only several days at most.

It is crucial to be aware of PAWS as it is among the most common causes of relapse. Anyone experiencing PAWS should remember that the episodes are brief, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

What Affects Your Detox Experience

It’s important to note that all of the information here about a medical alcohol detox timeline varies from person to person.

As mentioned, whether you receive treatment during the process will be a significant factor. Whether you have any mental or physical health issues will also play a role. The extent of your drinking will also play a role, including how much you typically drank and how long that had been your habit.

There is also a higher risk of severe symptoms during the medical alcohol detox timeline for those who used drugs in addition to alcohol.

Conclusion

Most people detoxing from alcohol will experience mild symptoms such as headaches, shaking, or anxiety in the hours after they stop drinking. 24 hours after they stop drinking, symptoms can include disorientation and seizures. Symptoms can worsen within the first 72 hours after the last drink, but they tend to get better after, especially with medical supervision.

If you, or someone you know, is struggling with alcohol abuse, call the caring team of Silicon Valley Recovery at 408-547-4089.

Is Alcohol a Depressant or a Stimulant?

Whether alcohol is a depressant or a stimulant is a common question people have. Drinking affects your central nervous system. In doing so, drinking affects how your brain communicates with nerves in your body.

A drug like alcohol will affect neurotransmitters; in particular. it affects a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA; this leads to a slowdown in brain activity.

Below, we discuss how alcohol can affect you and how depressants differ from stimulants.

The Effects of Alcohol on the Body

The effects of alcohol on you begin as soon as taking a sip. At first, when you drink, you might experience a buzzy feeling. You could feel more social, happier, more relaxed, or even euphoric. Those effects are short-lived, however.

Is alcohol a central nervous system depressant? Yes, but you might not feel the depressant or sedative effects right away. These effects tend to be felt more at greater blood alcohol concentrations. 

Other short-term effects include:

  • Changes in mood
  • Impulsiveness
  • Slow or slurred speech
  • Reduced inhibitions
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Drowsiness
  • Loss of coordination
  • Problems with decision-making and brain function 
  • Blacking out, which means you have gaps in your memory or lose consciousness

Alcohol’s Effects on the Central Nervous System

Understanding how alcohol affects your central nervous system helps you better understand many of the more specific impacts it can have.

Drinking reduces communication between your brain and body. That reduction in communication leads to negative effects like slurred speech and changes in coordination, balance, and reaction time. Those central nervous system effects are why you shouldn’t ever drink and drive.

  • Your central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord.
  • Even moderate consumption affects your central nervous system in both the short- and long term.
  • Drinking can lead to adverse effects such as interruptions in sleep, depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts or behaviors because it depresses the central nervous system.
  • Long-term abuse can lead to a higher risk of dementia, neuropathy, and other serious conditions.
  • Even in the short term, consuming large amounts of alcohol can lead to respiratory failure, coma, or death.
  • Someone with alcohol poisoning can lose consciousness, have a low body temperature, or it can slow their heart rate to a dangerous level.
  • Irregular breathing and low body temperature are also signs of an overdose.
  •  Alcohol poisoning is most common in situations involving binge drinking. 

Other Effects of Alcohol

Along with what’s above, some of the other many potential effects of alcohol can include:

  • Excessive drinking can cause inflammation of the pancreas. This inflammation can cause a medical condition called pancreatitis, affecting digestive and endocrine glands.
  • Your liver helps remove toxins, including alcohol, from your body. Long-term use interferes with your liver’s ability to remove toxins and increases the potential for liver diseases. Often people with alcohol use disorders will develop severe liver issues. 
  • If alcohol causes pancreas damage, it can also affect how your body produces insulin, affecting blood sugar levels.
  • Drinking can damage the tissues in your digestive tract, preventing your intestines from absorbing nutrients and vitamins, leading to malnutrition and other similar long-term effects. 
  • Circulatory system complications from heavy drinking include high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attack. Drinking can also damage your heart and lungs.
  • Too much alcohol can prevent sex hormone production and lower your libido. It can also increase the risk of infertility.
  • Heavy or excessive alcohol use reduces your immune system.
  • You may be at higher risk of developing many types of cancer if you drink a lot.

Alcohol and Mental Health

Alcohol use can cause certain mental health symptoms or worsen existing conditions. For example, we answered the question “is alcohol a depressant” above. The answer is yes, and since that’s the case, alcohol can cause or worsen depressive disorders. Alcohol can also cause or make anxiety worse, and it can lead to sleep disturbances.

Is Alcohol a Depressant
Is Alcohol a Depressant or a Stimulant? brain on hand 1

Stimulants vs. Depressants

While we’ve covered the fact that alcohol is a depressant, despite the initially intoxicating effects, what is a stimulant?

Stimulants affect the body in the opposite way as depressants. Stimulants increase the activity of the central nervous system. You’ll sometimes hear a stimulant called an upper and a depressant, a downer.

A stimulant might increase brain activity. Other effects of stimulants can include higher blood pressure, breathing rate, and heart rate.

While alcohol primarily affects GABA, stimulants mainly affect dopamine and norepinephrine. Stimulants increase the activity of these neurotransmitters. Dopamine and norepinephrine play a role in rewarding behaviors and regulating certain functions.

When you use a stimulant, you feel a rush of euphoria, known as a high. Other short-term stimulant effects include:

  • Increased libido and sexual desire
  • More attention, alertness, and focus
  • Increases in energy and self-esteem
  • Feelings of happiness and well-being
  • Easier breathing and more open airways
  • Suppressed appetite

While the initial short-term effects of stimulants may seem positive, there are serious and sometimes deadly long-term consequences. For example, stimulants can quickly lead to addiction and dependence.

Regular stimulant use can cause anger, paranoia, and psychosis. These substances can trigger irregular heartbeat, raised body temperature, seizures, and heart failure at high doses.

Other Depressants Aside From Alcohol

Alcohol isn’t the only depressant that slows the central nervous system and has a potential for addiction and dependence.

Benzodiazepines like Xanax and sedative-hypnotic drugs are also depressants.

As prescriptions, depressants may be used to treat anxiety, muscle spasms, and sleep disorders. While some are less risky than others, they all have the same general effects on the CNS.

When someone regularly uses depressants, they may become dependent on them. When you’re dependent on a depressant and stop using it, you may go through withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms from a depressant drug include:

  • Shakiness
  • Overactive responses and reflexes
  • Anxiety
  • Agitation
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Sleep problems or insomnia
  • Increased temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate
  • Excessive sweating
  • Hallucinations
  • Seizures

When someone goes through withdrawal from a depressant, it can be potentially severe or life-threatening. Medical detox is recommended because of the possible severity.

Final Thoughts—Is Alcohol a Depressant?

To sum up, is alcohol a depressant? Yes. Since it’s a depressant, alcohol slows the function of your brain and the messaging that occurs between it and your body. Excessive drinking can also trigger or worsen mental health issues like depression.

If you feel like you have an alcohol dependence, it can have serious mental and physical health implications. We encourage you to call 408-547-4089 and contact the team at Silicon Valley Recovery confidentially to learn more about treatment options, including medical detox.