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'I don't want to hide it': Macklemore reveals he takes 7-year-old daughter Sloane to AA meetings with him

'I am a recovering addict and alcoholic and have been for the last 14 years,' Macklemore said in an interview

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON: Macklemore has been upfront about his sobriety struggles, even discussing his "painful" relapse in 2020. He is now claiming that he is so upfront about his recovery that his little daughter attends sessions of Alcoholics Anonymous with him. The rapper, whose real name is Ben Haggerty, said during an appearance on 'Audacy's Check In' that he intends to be open about being in recovery with his children, including son Hugo Jack (18 months), and daughters Colette Koala (4), and Sloane Ava Simone (7).

Macklemore said, "Sloane's been to meetings with me. She asks me questions like, 'Daddy, how's your sober meetings going?' We talk about it." He continues saying, "And I don't want to hide that because it's not something that I need to feel guilt or shame or secrecy around. The whole intention is to put it out into the open… I'm not a finished product. This is what I'm working on. These are my struggles," reports Daily Mail.

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'We're at a new point in parenting'

After dating for seven years, the 'Thrift Shop' rapper got married to his long-term partner in June 2015 after becoming engaged in January 2013. They have three children: two daughters Sloane Ava Simone, 7, and Colette Koala, 4, and a son Hugo Jack, 18 months.

"I am a recovering addict and alcoholic and have been for the last 14 years," Macklemore said in an interview on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon'. "And then COVID happened, and a big part of my recovery community is going to physical 12-step meetings," the American rapper continued.

He also mentioned in the podcast conversation that he thinks it's important for his kids to understand what their family's background is. Macklemore said, "These are things we might have in our family that we have to keep an eye on. Just be honest, it's a conversation. There's no rulebook here. We're at a new point in parenting... I think that having that conversation is important."

The 'painful' 2020 relapse

In August 2008, the Grammy Award-winning musician entered a drug rehab facility for alcohol and drug addiction for the first time. Before a brief relapse in 2011, he had celebrated three years of sobriety. He has been candid about a more recent relapse in 2020. On 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon', the 39-year-old rapper of the hit song 'Can't Hold Us' spoke about his "very painful" relapse.

The rapper claimed that due to COVID-19, his "physical 12-step meetings" got canceled which were a big part of his recovery community. "Once those stopped, I was alone, and the disease of addiction was like, 'Yo, this is crazy. The world has stopped; you can get high,'" the 'These Days' rapper stated.

Macklemore described that he had "stopped doing the things that prevented me from getting high, and I listened to that voice." He recalled that the relapse took place over a "couple of weeks" and was "very painful." He also said that he was still "working on trust issues with myself and within my close circle of friends."

The father of three also mentioned that he gained valuable insight from the encounter. "It definitely was a reminder that whatever I put in front of my recovery will be the first thing that I lose," said Macklemore.

'Honest and positive'

Internet users have been praising Macklemore for his "honest and positive" conversation and openness about his addiction. "Honest and positive. Great interview!" commented one user. Another user shared her own recovery story and commented, "CONGRATS @macklemore I to am in recovery! 1 year! So proud of you! You are killing it for sure!" "Glad you’re doing good and well, thanks for sharing your story," commented another user. "Sending him so much strength Respect him so much for being so open about his life & struggles," exclaimed another user.

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