Steven Adler has recalled how he first tried the drug heroin in an attempt to fit in with two of his Guns N’ Roses bandmates.
In an interview for the limited docuseries Nöthin’ But a Good Time: The Uncensored Story of ’80s Hair Metal, the drummer opened up about his time in the rock band and how he started abusing drugs.
“When I started doing heroin, I wanted to be a part of what (lead guitarist) Slash and (rhythm guitarist) Izzy (Stradlin) were doing,” he recounted in the third episode, according to People. “I took two hits; I was never so sick in my whole life.
“And wouldn’t you know what an a**hole I am, I had to try it one more time. And the third time was the charm. I fell in love with it.”
The classic lineup of Guns N’ Roses also consisted of vocalist Axl Rose and bassist Duff McKagan.
Adler was let go from the band several times due to his drug use in early 1990 but was formally fired in July that year, with Matt Sorum replacing him in the group.
“I’ve always loved the whole team thing,” the 59-year-old continued. “That’s why putting a band together was so important to me, where we work together and create something. And then when my team threw me out, I didn’t know what to do. I know I could either have gotten better or continued doing what I was doing. I continued doing what I was doing. I was that hurt.”
Adler has continued to struggle with drug addiction and health issues, and in 1996, he suffered a stroke as a result.
However, the drummer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the classic lineup of Guns N’ Roses in 2012.
And despite the ups and downs, Adler insisted he always enjoyed working with the Welcome to the Jungle hitmakers.
“I just loved being part of a team and Guns N’ Roses, the five of us, were a great f**king team,” he added.
Nöthin’ But a Good Time: The Uncensored Story of ’80s Hair Metal is now streaming on Paramount+.
