Several weeks ago, Eminem’s interview with Complex Magazine was published, and it caused a minor tabloid ripple. Eminem compared his years-long prescription drug addiction to Michael Jackson’s addictions, and spoke frankly about how he used to take more than 20 pills a day (Valium, Ambien and Vicodin), and how he felt “plastic”. But, Eminem also claimed that he’d been clean for 18 months, and that that at first, his drug addiction transformed itself into an exercise addiction, which Eminem admitted he had to keep in check. All in all, it was a series of startling admissions, and many applauded Eminem for his honesty.

In another interview, Eminen admitted that when he began to realize he had a problem, he contacted Elton John. Eminem said: “He had a substance-abuse problem in the past. So when I first wanted to get sober, I called him, because he’s somebody in the business who can relate to the lifestyle and how hectic things can be. He understands the pressure and any other reasons that you wanna come up with for doing drugs.” Now Elton John is coming forward with a new admission about Eminem’s drug problems – it seems Elton has been “helping” Eminem for months, and that Elton feels that Eminem is doing “brilliantly”.

Elton John says he’s been helping Eminem kick drugs.

“I’ve been helping Eminem over the last 18 months and he’s doing brilliantly,” John told BBC radio.

John didn’t discuss any details, but in 2005 Eminem entered rehab for addiction to sleeping pills and then took a three-year hiatus.

“It’s no secret I had a drug problem,” he later told Vibe magazine. “If I was to give you a number of Vicodin I would actually take in a day? Anywhere between 10 to 20. Valium, Ambien, the numbers got so high I don’t even know what I was taking.”

He also nearly overdosed on methadone, a heroin substitute.

Elton John also battled drugs and booze throughout his career but says he has been sober since the ’80s.

The “Rocket Man” singer has counseled other celebrity addicts, including the late Michael Jackson, but says he doesn’t force his advice on anyone.

“I’m there if people want my help,” he said in the BBC interview that aired yesterday. “If people ask for help you tell them where to go but there’s no point advising people if they don’t want to do it.”

[From The New York Daily News]

Part of me thinks this story is rather sweet. Eminem got a lot of criticism for his perceived (or actual) homophobia, but he dealt with the criticism in an interesting way – by performing and publicly embracing Elton John at the 2001 Grammys. While it was a smart PR move at the time, it’s interesting to think that Elton and Eminem might have a genuine friendship that has lasted all these years. I find that part of it touching. The other part me is reminded of what George Michael said about Elton John’s efforts to get him sober (“He will not be happy until I bang on his door in the middle of the night saying, ‘Please, please, help me, Elton. Take me to rehab.’ It’s not going to happen.”), and I chuckle.