Jackie O makes big call after drug addiction confession

The KIIS FM radio host has shared a huge announcement just days after revealing her battle with drug addiction.

Jackie “O” Henderson has announced that she is donating all of the profits of her upcoming memoir to charity.

In an emotional segment of The Kyle and Jackie O Show last week, the radio star read out a chapter from her soon-to-be-released new memoir, The Whole Truth, detailing her secret drug addiction.

Jackie added that she had checked into the Betty Ford Clinic in 2022 to help combat the issue. While she received widespread support after the show aired, she was also criticised for not acknowledging that while she could access care at the ritzy US facility, many other Australians are unable to afford basic services locally.

After being “deeply moved” by the “thousands of messages” she’d received, Jackie took to Instagram to pledge her donation.

“I was fortunate enough to have access to treatment and I recognise how privileged that makes me,” she said.

“Unfortunately, not everyone has the same opportunity. Which is why, all my profits from my book, which is on sale tomorrow, will be donated to Odyssey House Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre.

“ … The work they do is powerful, important and transformative.”

Odyssey House is one of Australia’s largest rehab services and claims to have helped more than 45,000 people over four decades.

Jackie’s book will be released next week. Picture: Instagram

Jackie added: “Thank you to everyone who has shared their personal stories with me”.

“I’m still reading through your messages and will do my best to respond to each one. Your honesty and support means the world to me.”

The Betty Ford Clinic is known as a rehab centre for the rich and famous, with a month-long stay costing up to $90,000.

During the emotional segment last Thursday, Jackie admitted she had been “badly addicted” to lots of different things, including painkillers, sleeping pills and alcohol.

“I was averaging about 24 Panadeine Forte painkillers a day and then I was averaging about 10 to 12 Stilnox [sleeping tablets] a day,” she revealed.

“Someone was watching over me because I don’t know how I woke up most days with that kind of dosage.”

The radio star revealed her secret battle on air last week. Picture: Supplied

After finally reaching out to her best friend about her problem, she was persuaded to check herself in to the pricey rehab centre in the US in November 2022, just two weeks after she and co-host Kyle Sandilands appeared at the Australian Commercial Radio Awards to accept the award for best on-air team.

At the time, she told listeners she was taking time out as she’d been struggling with fatigue since contracting Covid.

In fact, she spent 28 days in rehab, having enrolled in a 12-step program “to treat the substance dependence and drug addiction I’ve been able to keep secret for three long and painful years.”

Jackie’s book, The Whole Truth, will be released on Tuesday.

For support or advice about alcohol and other drugs, visit adf.org.au or call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.

If you are worried about your own, or a friend or relative’s alcohol or other drug use, you can visit the ADF’s Path2Help. This free online tool will connect you with local services in your area that can help, based on your personal circumstances.

Originally published as Jackie O makes big call after drug addiction confession