‘I was scared to tell people’: Jackie O reveals painful rehab truth

Radio host Jackie O Henderson has admitted she secretly checked into rehab for drug and alcohol addiction. But here’s how she explained it at the time.

Radio host Jackie O Henderson has revealed the painful truth behind her 2022 on-air departure, admitting she secretly checked into rehab for drug and alcohol addiction while publicly citing health issues related to Covid-19.

In an emotional conversation with co-host Kyle Sandilands on KIIS FM, the 49-year-old admitted she was battling an addiction to painkillers, sleeping pills and alcohol two years ago. Henderson revealed she had been taking up to 12 Stilnox sleeping pills and 24 Panadeine Forte tablets a day, along with alcohol, to cope with stress.

“I was in a really dark place,” she said.

She said her addiction started after her 2018 split from UK photographer Lee Henderson. “That’s what addiction does to your brain. It changes your thinking, it doesn’t want you to get help, it’s so powerful.”

Jackie O pictured leaving KIISFM after revealing she spent time in rehab on air this morning. Picture: Matrix

At the time, Henderson told her listeners she was stepping away from The Kyle & Jackie O Show to recover from long Covid symptoms.

However, it’s understood she was actually entering the Betty Ford Clinic in California, known for treating high-profile celebrities, to begin her rehabilitation process.

Jackie 'O' Henderson has emotionally revealed she went to rehab for drug and alcohol addiction.

“I was scared to tell people,” Henderson said.

Henderson sought her 13-year-old daughter’s approval before making her story public.

“I couldn’t be more proud of my daughter. She’s shown zero judgement, just compassion and support.”

The radio star had previously announced her break from the show in November 2022, pointing to ongoing fatigue and illness after contracting Covid-19. But she told listeners this morning she was actually going into rehab.

She made the confession on Thursday to co-host Kyle Sandilands.

On-air in 2022, she said she needed time to recover and focus on her health.

“I’ve been not very well ever since I’ve had Covid, I’ve been struggling with this fatigue,” she said.

“Ever since picking up that virus, I’ve been to the doctor several times, and he said because I’ve been pushing myself every day, I’m not getting better,” she said at the time.

“I just have to take some time off, so I’m ending the show today. As in now, you know how much this show means to me. You know how much I push through everything, and I would not be doing this unless I absolutely had to.”

“Without going into detail, I’m fine. I’m not dying,” she said, adding that her doctor had said “if I keep doing this, it is going to get much worse and I’ve taken his advice. I rarely take doctors’ advice, I’m usually like, ‘nah, it’ll be fine’.”

Following her recent admission, Henderson apologised to her listeners for keeping her struggles a secret.

“I want to apologise to our listeners and everyone in my life. I just needed to concentrate on that part first, that recovery.”

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