The Hills’ Jason Wahler is the latest star to speak publicly about Philip Seymour Hoffman’s tragic death and their own struggles with hard core drug addiction. Wahler, best known as the bad boy beau of Lauren Conrad , opened up about his past and urged critics to realize that addiction is “more than meets the eye.” “A few years ago, I would host parties at my house in L.A. where there would be 50-100 people raging out of control,” writes the former reality star . “While everyone thought I was enjoying the party as much as they were, I was secretly going into the master bathroom and snorting as much coke and drinking as much alcohol as I could.” “When I was done, I would grab a beer and get back into the party as if nothing happened.” “When I heard of Philip Seymour Hoffman’s death , it brought me right back to those days of partying where my addiction was so bad that I didn’t care who was around.” He goes on to add: “I didn’t care how loud the music was, or how fancy the party was. It wasn’t about the party at all … all I cared about was using and escaping reality even if it was by myself in a bathroom.” Now 27 years old, Jason Wahler has publicly addressed his alcohol addiction before, and appeared on Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew in 2010. 21 Shocking Celebrity Deaths Open Slideshow 1. Philip Seymour Hoffman Philip Seymour Hoffman passed away at the age of 46. He was found with a needle in his arm and had a history of drug abuse. View As List 1. Philip Seymour Hoffman Philip Seymour Hoffman passed away at the age of 46. He was found with a needle in his arm and had a history of drug abuse. 2. Cory Monteith Cory Monteith was 27 years old when he passed away. He overdosed on drugs during a night of partying in Vancouver. 3. Heath Ledger Heath Ledger left us with one final, amazing performance. He earned an Oscar for his work as The Joker. 4. Paul Walker Paul Walker died in a car accident on November 30, 2013. He left behind a daughter and a burgeoning film career. 5. Gia Allemand Gia Allemand was only 29 when she died. The former Bachelor contestant took her own life. 6. James Gandolfini James Gandolfini will always be remembered as Tony Soprano. He died of a heart attack at the age of 51. 7. Amy Winehouse Amy Winehouse lived a hard life. She died of a drug overdose on July 23, 2011. 8. Gary Coleman Rest in peace, Gary Coleman. The sitcom star left this world at the age from an intercranial hemorrhage. 9. Corey Haim We lost Corey Haim to a reported drug overdose in March 2010. He is remembered for a number of roles, such as Lost Boys. 10. Brittany Murphy Brittany Murphy poses here at the 2009 Video Music Awards. She passed away at the age of 32. 11. Michael Jackson Celebrity death don’t hit the world harder than that of Michael Jackson. He was 50 years old when he passed away. 12. Tupac Shakur Tupac Shakur poses here with his mother. The rapper was gunned down at the age of 25. 13. Aaliyah The music world lost Aaliyah in 2001. She died in a plane crash. 14. Tim Russert Tim Russert was as respected as it gets in the world of journalism. He died in 2008. 15. Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes was a key part of TLC. She was killed in a car accident. 16. Whitney Houston Whitney Houston passed away the night before the Grammys. She overdosed in a hotel bathtub. 17. Princess Diana Princess Diana was taken from us in 1997. The iconic figure died in a car crash. 18. Kurt Cobain Rest in peace, Kurt Cobain. The rocker committed suicide in 1997. 19. Anna Nicole Smith Anna Nicole Smith died at the young age of 39. She lived a very troubled life. 20. Biggie Smalls Biggie Smalls got caught up in the East Coast/West Coast rap war. He was killed in 1997. 21. Natasha Richardson Natasha Richardson was married to Liam Neeson at the time of her death. She passed away from a skiing accident. After Hoffman was found dead with 65 heroin bags found in his apartment, Wahler felt the need to speak up and defend those critical of the Oscar winner. “I immediately began seeing comments all over the Internet about Hoffman’s reported overdose – remarks to the effect of ‘it’s his own fault,'” he wrote. “I truly believe that addiction is preventable, but I also know that it can get so complex that addicts won’t go get help, but instead cry out for it.” “I have witnessed just how close-minded some people can be when it comes to addiction,” says Wahler, who has six alcohol-related arrests to his credit. “Combined with the passing of Philip Seymour Hoffman, it only drives me to keep pushing to raise awareness,” he continued. “It’s my hope that his passing isn’t in vain. His goal, he says, is to “educate more people about how important it is to not only get into treatment if necessary, but also to continually stay connected to prevent relapse.”
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Jason Wahler Speaks on Philip Seymour Hoffman, Perils of Addiction
