Model Kaia Gerber has shared candid thoughts on her brother Presley Gerber's public and private journey with drug addiction, describing the experience as "very human."
"When something like that happens in a family, it kind of levels everyone," Gerber told Vogue in a recent interview. She explained that Presley's struggles influenced her own approach to seeking help, stating, "I think that’s also why I started to self-identify as the easy one and never wanted to ask for help. Because it felt like too much to have two children who were needing."
Despite their parents, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, maintaining a private life, Kaia expressed pride in how her 27-year-old brother has openly addressed his challenges. "We have this absolute teacher, my brother, who says, ‘I’m gonna be very human for everyone.’ There’s only so much you can hide from the world," she said. "And trying to put a lid on something just makes the person feel like you’re ashamed of them."
Presley Gerber's public acknowledgment of his substance abuse and mental health issues began around 2019. At 19, he was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) in Beverly Hills after being cited for speeding. He later pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor charge and received three years of probation, community service, and a DUI program.
In 2024, Presley revealed he had a near-fatal fentanyl overdose after a severe, multi-year opiate addiction, which resulted in him being in a coma for several days. He also announced he was entering rehab for ibogaine treatment, a psychedelic therapy considered beneficial for substance abuse and PTSD.
Later that year, he disclosed a dependency on prescription medication, noting he had seen over 15 psychiatrists who allegedly prescribed him heavy medication without a structured recovery plan. In December of that year, Presley stated he was five months sober from alcohol, with his last drink being in July 2025.
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