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With one act, Jackie O has silenced all her critics.

Earlier this week, Jackie O took a moment on her morning radio show to discuss a very personal struggle. The radio host opened up about her battle with drug addiction, specifically to painkillers, sleeping pills and alcohol.

The presenter shared that during this time she was consuming 24 potent codeine tablets daily, along with 14 Stilnox sleeping pills, and alcohol.

She also shared that the full story would be revealed in her upcoming memoir The Whole Truth.

Speaking to Sydney Morning Herald journalist Konrad Marshall, who helped write the book, Jackie revealed her slide into addiction started around seven years ago — the same time her marriage was breaking down. She explained on air that it was a way of relieving stress and sadness.

But things took a turn after moving into a palatial home in Woollahra, which she bought in 2020 — on the cusp of the isolating pandemic lockdowns. "It was hell, because of how quickly I spiralled in that house," she told the publication.

"I went deep into my addiction there. It's a beautiful house, but it felt like a fortress. My concrete prison."

Jackie O finally opens up about her addiction story.

For years, Jackie kept the truth to herself, prioritising her privacy. She finally decided to be honest with her listeners on October 24, by reading out the prologue of her new memoir The Whole Truth.

"I was scared to tell people and say this out loud, I know people will look at me differently and love me," she said on radio. "I was in a really, really dark place."

"That's what the addiction to your brain, it changes your way of thinking, it doesn't want you to get help, it's so powerful," she said through tears.

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"It takes a rock bottom moment to cut yourself off," she added.

Jackie confirmed that she had spoken to her daughter Kitty, 13, before telling the public of her experience.

"I couldn't be more proud of my daughter, the way she has been about it has been zero judgement, just compassionate and support," she shared.

According to Marshall, who helped Jackie pen the memoir, she had turned to the substances when feeling "diminished, untethered and alone."

"By that point, I had no self-esteem, so I was insecure, vulnerable, and heartbroken," she said. "It was a recipe for disaster, and I took the coward's way out to escape those feelings."

Listen to Mia Freedman interview Jackie O on No Filter. Post continues after audio.

Jackie O's slide into addiction.

Jackie O hid her addiction issues well, with those close to her rationalising that the stress of going through a divorce, as well her regular 4am call time for work, were to blame for some out-of-character behaviour.

But when she began to forget conversations and descent into frequent sleep, her manager Gemma O'Neill and personal assistant Brittany Woodford knew something was off.

Woodford tried leaving gentle letters around the house, nudging Jackie to get help. But it wasn't until November 6, 2022, that things would change for the radio host. It was the day her supplier called to say they'd been caught, and he could no longer provide her with the black market prescription medications.

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A desperate Jackie O called O'Neill and told her everything.

"In my head there was no other option but rehab," O'Neill told the publication.

The radio star, 49, took sick leave from her job for a month in order to enter rehab. She said she "lied by omission" when she told listeners the break was due to suffering from long COVID.

Jackie stayed under the radar as she flew to the United States to undertake a 12-step, month-long program at the Betty Ford Centre in Palm Springs. Here, she detoxed, experiencing everything from nausea, to insomnia, sweats, and diarrhoea. Despite her doubts, she came out the other side stronger.

"I'd actually been adamant that I was going to come out of rehab and still drink," she told SMH. "I didn't want to be sober my whole life – that thought was quite depressing."

However, Jackie eventually realised it had to be "all or nothing".

"I would have leaned on that, using alcohol as my form of escape instead of pills," she explained.

Jackie O and Kyle Sandilands. Image: Instagram.

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In the years following her stint in rehab, the radio host has focused on restoring her health, telling only a few close friends and family, including her manager, personal assistant and parents, about her struggle.

Her KIIS FM costar Kyle Sandilands found out during the radio segment earlier this week. Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Jackie explained her decision to keep her co-host in the dark.

"I know Kyle. If I told him something in confidence, he's never going to outright say it on air. But he might have a tiny little slip, and I just didn't want anyone to know," she explained.

Despite keeping this to herself for so long, the 49-year-old is now more than willing to discuss what she's been through.

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"I can only speak to my experience, because my addiction is so different to anyone else's," she said. "But people can ask me anything they want, and I'm okay with that. I brought this up, I put it out there myself, so I'm well and truly okay talking about it. I'm excited that I can be more authentic than I've ever been."

Her memoir will cover this difficult time in her life, as well as her life working alongside Kyle Sandilands, being single in her 40s and the trials and tribulations of hosting a radio show for so many years.

It comes out on October 29.

In one move, Jackie O silenced her critics.

Image: Instagram.

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Four days after revealing her struggle with addiction, Jackie O has made a very generous move.

Despite being anxious to share her story, worried that critics would see her differently, she was flooded with messages by thousands of other women who had been in her position.

"Since sharing my story last week, I've been deeply moved by the thousands of messages I've received from people facing challenges similar to mine but unable to afford rehab," she shared.

"I was fortunate enough to have access to treatment and I recognise how privileged that makes me.

"Unfortunately, not everyone has the same opportunity. Which is why, all my profits from my book, which is on sale tomorrow, will be donated to Odyssey House Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre.

"Odyssey House provides life-changing support to individuals seeking treatment but who are struggling financially. I'm grateful for the work they do and I'm honoured to donate all my profits from my book to this incredible organisation.

"Thank you to everyone who has shared their persoanl stories with me. I'm still reading through your messages and will do my best to respond to each one. Your honesty and support means the world to me."

This article was originally published on October 24, and has since been updated with new information.

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Featured image: Instagram.