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Why was Hulk Hogan addicted to prescription pills? Wrestling legend was stuck in 'vicious cycle' after 25 surgeries

'There was a period of time, about five or six years ago, where I was in crazy pain to the extent I couldn’t even function,' Hulk Hogan said

TAMPA, FLORIDA: Legendary pro-wrestler Hulk Hogan remembered his severe addiction to prescription pills after he underwent 25 painful surgeries.

The 70-year-old WWE Hall of Famer claimed that he was stuck in a “vicious cycle” when he was not able to work without the medicines even after he had fully recovered from the procedures. 

According to Muscle and Health, the retired wrestler said, "I was hitting the pain pills hard because I’d had to endure 25 procedures, including 10 to my back, facial operations from being kicked, knee and hip replacements, and abdominal and shoulder surgeries." 

Hulk Hogan says that he was in excruciating pain five or six years ago

“There was a period of time, about five or six years ago, where I was in crazy pain to the extent I couldn’t even function. When you have back surgery, it takes a good year for your body to recover, yet they were cutting on me every four months,” Hogan said.

“I needed pain meds at that stage, that’s for sure. But once things started to wind down, they continued giving me the same meds.”

Hulk Hogan compares his condition to a dog chasing a bone

Hogan, whose real name is Terry Gene Bollea, compared his behavior to a dog chasing a bone. "It got to a point where I’d recovered from the tenth back surgery and the pharmacy would call me and say, ‘your prescription’s ready,’ and like a dog chasing a bone, I’d go pick it up,” he said.

“Then, finally, I just looked at myself, and I said, ‘I’m not in pain. I don’t need this. My body hurts from all the wrestling injuries, but I’m not in this excruciating pain that I can’t live with.'”

Why did Hulk Hogan stop drinking at the beginning of 2023?

Hogan previously explained why decided to quit drinking at the start of 2023. "About seven months ago I decided not to drink any more alcohol. I was at a New Year’s Eve party, and I saw a bunch of stuff that I didn’t condone or like. I saw myself in this environment and I went, ‘You know what? I don’t know how I got here, but I’m done,'” he recalled.

“I was around people who believed and behaved differently from me and I just said, ‘I’m out,'” he went on, noting he now feels “clear-headed” and is “no longer tempted to drink.”

He added, “I’ve had certain wrestlers look at me in the face and go, ‘If you don’t have a drink with me, you’re not my friend.’ I say, ‘Well, I am your friend, but I’m not going to drink with you. What are you going to do about it?'”

Hulk Hogan credits CBD for helping him recover from addiction

The six-time WWE Champion credits CBD with helping him get rid of alcohol and recover from his prescription pain addiction.

”At first, I was confused, because I’d never used CBD. I didn’t understand the health aspects of what it can do for you as far as energy, sleep or getting off hard drugs or pharmaceuticals slowly and winding down are concerned,” he said.

“It took me a while to figure it out because I am a little slow. I had to do a lot of research and do my due diligence. I figured this was something that really would benefit a lot of people that needed help,” he continued.

Hulk Hogan is now engaged to yoga instructor Sky Daily 

Hogan, since January, has shed 40 pounds and has also announced his engagement to yoga instructor Sky Daily.

“As soon as I quit drinking, I had no desire to eat junk at night, and the weight just started falling off me,” he revealed.

“Right now, I’m enjoying life on the beach, playing the bass for fun when my daughter Brooke comes to visit, working on my cars and partying hard and sober. Life is good," he added.