Paula AbdulAs a young performer, Paula Abdul dealt with chronic pain caused by a cheerleading injury. She had also previously suffered a broken leg when she was involved in an airplane crash. Because of these types of injuries, she began taking prescription pain medication, and understandably so. However, the painkillers set the stage for a dependency that ended up taking years to overcome.

Her Addiction

The more her body needed the medication to relieve the pain, the more it grew dependent upon the drugs. Before long, those around her became suspicious that she could be addicted to the pain-killing drugs. During her stint on American Idol, her behavior was noted as strange and erratic at times. She blamed it on a pain syndrome and a neurological disorder that caused her debilitating pain. While that was true, in 2008, Abdul checked herself into La Costa Resort and Spa to end the cycle of dependency on the pain killers.

Rehab That Helped

While dealing with the withdrawal symptoms, Abdul struggled with getting past the cravings for the pills and alcohol to which she had become so dependent. While in rehab, she became active in spiritual workshops and yoga, which she said put her in a better place overall. She said the battle she fought to get through withdrawal and the time she spent working through rehabilitation changed her life for the better.

Life Today

Life today for Abdul is rewarding. She has given up judging on American Idol and stays busy with guest appearances and dance competitions, which is the love of her life. She will appear October 15 as a guest judge of Dancing With The Stars alongside regular judges Bruno Tonioli, Carrie Ann Inaba and Len Goodman. The current number one rated television reality show is one she said she has always enjoyed and is thrilled and excited to be appearing as a guest judge.

Since her American Idol days, Abdul has also appeared and served as a judge on The X Factor and Live To Dance. She appears to have her life together free from pain killers and other dependent substances, one that would not be possible, she says, without the help of rehabilitation.