Landon Barker, 20, Opens Up About His Battle with Alcohol: Overcoming a Troubling Past

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Travis Barker’s son, Landon Barker, was honest about “abusing” alcohol while discussing how the “bad habit” affected his mental health.

Barker, a 20-year-old musician known for the song "Die in California," revealed in an interview with People on Monday, October 16, that he had a terrible experience. During this time, he experienced heightened OCD, heightened ADHD, and heightened anxiety. In addition, he felt a sense of disassociation, as if he were a character in a video game. Barker described the experience as watching his entire life unfold on a movie screen, which he found truly awful. He also mentioned that he went through this ordeal for several months and now drinks alcohol in moderation.

"I believe it is vital for me to avoid falling into that habit again," he expressed, referring to drinking. "I consistently remind myself that I will only consume alcohol on special occasions from now on. I make a conscious effort to distance myself from all substances."

In addition to his battle against alcohol, Landon candidly shared his experience with other mental health challenges, such as OCD, ADHD, and anxiety. He revealed going through a difficult phase of "dissociation" in 2022.

Last year, it came crashing down on me like a ton of bricks and it was absolutely horrendous," he reflected. "It all began with me turning to alcohol, and the aftermath would leave me feeling completely detached from reality. This pattern of excessive drinking became a coping mechanism as I believed it would bring temporary relief."

Nevertheless, a health problem forced him to confront the fact that he could no longer indulge in regular drinking.

"When I suffered a concussion, I was forced to face it head-on and, honestly, I despised life for a period of three to four months. It was a truly dreadful experience," disclosed Landon. "I vividly recall visiting the hospital every week due to the intense panic attacks triggered by the overwhelming circumstances."

Since then, he has acquired effective coping mechanisms through diligent research on various "tips and tricks" to manage his challenges.

"Landon admitted feeling apprehensive about starting medication due to his addictive tendencies. The fear of becoming reliant on something on a daily basis made him hesitant to try it. Instead, he focused on therapy and exercise, which proved to be beneficial in managing his condition."

"In addition to therapy and exercise, Landon found solace in creating music. Last month, he released his debut single, 'Friends With Your EX,' and also had the opportunity to collaborate with Machine Gun Kelly on the song 'Die in California.'"

Upon hearing Landon sing the track while they were in the studio together, Kelly, aged 33, made the decision to include the song in his upcoming album titled Mainstream Sellout, set to be released in 2022.

According to Landon, the collaboration began as an idea centered around the concept of disliking one's past self. However, as the project progressed, it evolved into a song that explores mental health and the process of overcoming challenges, taking on a natural and supernatural essence.

Landon has discovered that sharing his experiences publicly, both through his music and on social media, has made it easier for him to address his personal struggles. The overwhelming positive response he received when he opened up about his issues gave him a sense of relief. Seeking support and information from the public proved to be a source of comfort for him. By revealing his true identity and being open about his struggles, even through a social media platform, Landon found it unexpectedly beneficial.

In addition to his music, Landon has made headlines for his love life, making appearances on girlfriend Charli D’Amelio’s Hulu series, The D’Amelio Show.

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Landon Barker