Paris Jackson has recounted a critical moment from 2018 when a friend nearly died from an overdose of her own drugs. The singer, 28, revealed on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast that she had to call emergency services after the male friend, whose identity was not disclosed, consumed her substances.
Jackson, who has been open about her past struggles with heroin and alcohol addiction and recently marked six years of sobriety, described the incident as a "gamble." She explained that even with her training as a first responder, the stress of the situation could have led to her freezing instead of acting.
"It was definitely a lucky situation and the paramedics had said... if you had gotten there any later, he either would be dead or brain dead," Jackson stated. Despite this close call and narrowly saving her friend's life, Jackson admitted that she did not achieve sobriety for another year and a half.
"It's also definitely a testament to the whole like it takes what it takes cos I still didn't get sober for another year and a half after that," she said. Jackson emphasized her commitment to maintaining sobriety, expressing that even a small amount of cannabis or alcohol could lead her back to heroin use.
Past Struggles and Recovery
The daughter of Michael Jackson has used substances to cope with depression and emotional trauma stemming from her father's death. She described her "bottom" as a breaking point that ultimately propelled her toward recovery.
In the same interview, Jackson also touched upon past relationships, mentioning a secret engagement to actor Justin Long while she was reportedly struggling with substance abuse. She stated that this was her second engagement she called off, adding that she realized that even if someone is a good person, they might not be the "right person" for her, especially if her fundamental needs in a relationship are not being met.
Jackson, who has been open about raising her standards in romantic relationships after past experiences, said she is now able to be "pickier" and raise her expectations after reflecting on her past. She acknowledged that finding a trustworthy partner is possible, drawing from positive examples of committed men in her life.