Hayden Panettiere's Journey: From Addiction to Sobriety and Back to Rehab

Hayden Panettiere, the American actress known for her roles in Nashville and Scream , has been in the spotlight for her struggles with addiction and personal challenges. In recent news, Panettiere has checked into rehab following an intervention by a family member who removed her boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, from her home. This intervention was prompted by concerns over Panettiere's health, particularly after she appeared to slur her words during a media interview. In this article, we delve into Panettiere's journey, her struggles with addiction, and the recent events that led her back to rehab.

1. Hayden Panettiere's Struggles with Addiction

Hayden Panettiere has been candid about her struggles with opioid and alcohol addiction. In a July 2022 interview with People , she shared her journey, stating, 'I was on top of the world and I ruined it.' Panettiere revealed that she began using 'happy pills' at the age of 15, which eventually led to her addiction. She spent years battling her addiction, as well as a devastating bout with postpartum depression after the birth of her daughter, Kaya. Read more about her addiction journey.

Panettiere's addiction took a toll on her career and personal life. She recalled the darkest moments, including being hospitalized for jaundice due to her liver problems. 'Doctors told me my liver was going to give out,' she said. This was a wake-up call for Panettiere, who eventually entered rehab for eight months. She credits her stay for giving her the tools to 'get over the hump' of her addiction, but it wasn't until recently that she says she's finally found the peace she yearned for so long.

Despite her progress, Panettiere has faced numerous challenges. In 2018, she made the heartbreaking decision to send Kaya to live with her ex, Wladimir Klitschko, in Ukraine. This was a difficult choice, but Panettiere wanted to be a good mother to Kaya, even if it meant letting her go. The drinking worsened, and Panettiere's relationship with Klitschko began to crumble. 'He didn't want to be around me,' she recalls. 'I didn't want to be around me. But with the opiates and alcohol, I was doing anything to make me feel happy for a moment. Then I'd feel worse than I did before.'

Panettiere's journey to sobriety has not been easy. She has spoken about the cycle of self-destruction she experienced during her addiction. 'I would have the shakes when I woke up and could only function with sipping alcohol,' she said. In 2018, Panettiere was hospitalized, and doctors warned her that her liver was failing. This was a turning point for her, as she realized she needed help to overcome her addiction.

2. Recent Intervention and Rehab

In recent news, Hayden Panettiere has checked into rehab following an intervention by a family member who traveled to Los Angeles to assist her. This intervention was prompted by concerns over Panettiere's health, particularly after she appeared to slur her words during a media interview. Fans had raised alarms over her speech during the interview, which she attributed to exhaustion. However, it became clear that there were deeper issues at play.

The family member also took steps to remove Brian Hickerson, Panettiere's boyfriend, from her home. Hickerson has a troubled history, including felony domestic violence charges against Panettiere in May 2019. Despite their tumultuous past, the couple has maintained a complicated relationship. Hickerson's recent legal issues and the couple's volatile relationship have raised significant concerns among fans and family members.

Panettiere's representatives did not provide any comments when approached for a statement. Recently, she has been maintaining a low profile, with her last Instagram update being on September 24. In that post, she expressed her enjoyment of a segment on the Today show, thanking her fellow guests while promoting her work. However, her recent behavior has sparked widespread concern among her fans and the media.

On September 22, Panettiere addressed these worries in an Instagram post, stating, 'It's hard to believe Im in this position, but I feel compelled to clarify it in a space free from judgment.' She explained that she had not slept for two days prior to the interview due to her dog undergoing emergency surgery. The shoot lasted eight hours, followed by an on-camera segment that was meant to be one hour long. Her representative cut the interview short when it became clear she was struggling.

Panettiere has been transparent about her battles with addiction to opioids and alcohol over the years. She has shared her experiences with People in July 2022, reflecting on her journey and acknowledging that sobriety has been challenging but expressing gratitude for her second chance. Despite the challenges, she expressed no regrets about her past, stating, 'I feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment. Its like Ive been given a second chance.'

3. Personal Struggles and Grief

In addition to her health issues, Panettiere has faced significant personal challenges. In 2023, her beloved younger brother Jansen passed away unexpectedly at the age of 28 due to an undiagnosed heart condition. Panettiere's world was shattered by this loss, as Jansen was her only sibling and someone she felt responsible for protecting.

Panettiere soon decided she didn't want to leave the house, especially after being followed by photographers in the days after his death. 'I had to see horrific paparazzi pictures of myself coming out of Jansens funeral, which happened in a very private place, and it was shocking,' she said. Her agoraphobia came out, which is something she's struggled with in the past.

Compounding her grief, Panettiere's body physically reacted to the shock. Within days, she became virtually unrecognizable due to rapid weight gain. 'I just ballooned out,' she said of the change, which diminished her self-esteem. 'I didnt feel confident to put on clothes and get out of the house, but I also knew that I needed to get out and keep moving or Id never stop looking and feeling this way.'

Panettiere wanted to get back to work but had to find the courage to get out of her rut. When her publicist introduced her to personal trainer Marnie Alton last year, everything changed for the better. Panettiere started slowly training with Alton, whom she shared an immediate trust and connection. She especially loved the long walks they would take where they'd just talk and Panettiere would share her stories from the past.

These long walks became therapy sessions for Panettiere. 'Marnie empowered me,' she said. The endorphins Panettiere was getting from burning fat elevated her mood too. 'My body just started reacting, not just from the working out. It allowed me to release the stress, the high expectations Id always put on myself,' she said. As her insecurities faded, so did her agoraphobia.

Panettiere is still learning how to live with loss but explains the new perspective she gained following Jansens death. 'When something that massive has happened to you, you really learn to pick your fights and just not let the little things upset you,' she shares. 'Because once something so horrific, so deep, so catastrophic happens in your life, theres not much that can really rock you.'

Though she's looking forward to the release of her new movie Amber Alert (in theaters September 27), she's mostly just grateful that she's feeling more and more like herself every day. That doesn't mean she's healed from the trauma of Jansens death or ever will be. 'I will always be heartbroken about it,' she says. 'I will never be able to get over it.' No matter how many years go by, she will never get over his loss.

4. Conclusion

Hayden Panettiere's journey is a testament to resilience and determination. From battling addiction to facing personal grief, she has shown remarkable strength in the face of adversity. While she may still be struggling with some challenges, her commitment to sobriety and her well-being is evident. As she continues on her path towards healing and recovery, fans and supporters hope for her continued success and peace.

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