Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino Reflects on Frequent Pill Usage Throughout 'DWTS' Journey
Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino opens up about his struggle with addiction during his time on ‘DWTS’ and reveals shocking details about his frequent pill use and the tactics he employed to smuggle drugs A candid and eye-opening account of his battle with substance abuse
Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino admitted to being under the influence during significant moments in his career, such as his brief appearance on Dancing With the Stars in 2010. While on the show, the 41-year-old reality star revealed that he had a drug dealer in New Jersey who would discreetly send him pills disguised as pen shipments via FedEx to Los Angeles.
In his memoir, Reality Check: Making the Best of The Situation — How I Overcame Addiction, Loss, and Prison, released on December 19, Sorrentino revealed, "I needed those pills for DWTS. That was one of the hardest shows I’ve ever done. I practiced eight hours a day, popping six Perc [30-milligram pills] every few hours." The reality star, who has been sober for eight years, also discussed his drug addiction in an exclusive interview with We last month.
"I was taking six to eight 30-milligram Oxycodone almost constantly," he told Us while promoting the memoir. He also revealed that his tolerance had become so high that he was taking "almost 90 Percocets a day." Sorrentino admitted to pushing the limits in all aspects of his life.
"I used to have an obsessive personality, so I was all in or all out," he told Us. "Once you start living that life of excess, whether it's drugs, women, money, or success, not everyone is able to escape it." Sorrentino also admitted to finding ways to sneak drugs while filming Jersey Shore, saying he approached every season like it was a Mission Impossible mission.
"I used to jump out of moving cars, smuggle drugs in my shoes across different countries, and tamper with fat burners to hide drugs and take them to Miami," he remembered, admitting that he wasn't very subtle about it. "I had many conversations with executive producers and show owners, and they did their best to help me, but I was in denial the whole time."
The star of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation remembered his lowest point - using heroin - and how his mom saved him.
“I held the drugs in my hands. After doing the first key bump, I thought, ‘I kind of don’t like it.’ But then a little devil on my shoulder urged me, ‘Why don’t you try a little bit more? Maybe you’ll like it then,’” he recounted, admitting that he “never thought” heroin was something he would try. “And just as I was about to try it for a second time, I could have OD’d right then and there, my phone rang and it was my mom.”
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While he’s experienced ups and downs in his life, Sorrentino said he got “an amazing story” out of his past struggles.
“That was the test and the testimony,” Sorrentino told Us. “I’m happy and grateful [to be] here to tell it, and I really think that God saved my life in order for me to share this light.”
