John Mulaney’s Battle with Addiction – Turning Darkness into Laughs

John Mulaney is a popular stand-up comedian who has famously used his difficult past experiences as the subject of much of his routine, which includes a new relationship, birth of his son, and most notably addiction to cocaine, alcohol, and prescription medications. Most fans are aware of Mulaney’s past issues with drugs and alcohol, shedding light on his sober life and turbulent relationship with narcotics. When you watch Mulaney’s comedy, you’ll see a courageous man whose comedy is rooted in his personal experience.

Drug-related deaths accounted for over 109,000 US deaths in 2021 according to the NIH. Statistics include the fact that just in the last year, over 9.2 million people over the age of 12 admitted to using opioids (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 2023). Drug abuse and addiction are anything but funny. If you are like me and have lost friends and loved ones to the disease of addiction, you certainly understand there is nothing comical about it. This is an epidemic the White House has attempted to tackle, along with the medical community, law makers, and countless civilians. Mulaney makes jokes about how absurd he behaved on drugs, not about addiction itself.

He publicly thanks those who were there and those who have had a hand in his intervention and recovery. As most addicts know, recovery is a journey; and Mulaney is still here making us laugh because his friends cared enough to step in (with help of professionals). Watching his show, the part of his act that stood
out most were the words of Mulaney’s friend, actress Natasha Lyonne. When he tells this story, he is not going for a punchline, he is getting vulnerable about how bad things were. Though not a direct quote, the message stuck with me. Lyonne: Johnny, You gotta go to rehab honey. Your life is in shambles, your career is in shambles. I know you think going to rehab would be embarrassing, but the way you’re living right now is embarrassing. Once you’re out, you can chain-smoke around the streets of New York like you’re the g*d-damn Bob Fosse of your generation. We can walk around dreaming big dreams, like we’re high as a kite; but instead, you’ll be alive, and we’ll be sober together. Mulaney credits Lyonne’s words for being the final straw helping him commit to rehab. His friends saved his life, and because of them, he is still here entertaining us all. As a fan, I am grateful.

If you want to hear more, check out “Baby J” on Netflix, where Mulaney gives his personal account.

If you or someone you know is battling addiction, please call 888.844.9121 for help, or reach out to Narcotic Anonymous at 818.773.9999 or visit na.org.

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