Fans of the comedian Artie Lange know that the former Howard Stern co-host is as well known for his very public struggles with substance abuse as for his razor-sharp wit. In December, Lange tweeted that he was in treatment for his addictions to cocaine and heroin and hoped to be out of treatment and performing again soon. The 50-year-old had tested the limitations of his body over his many years of substance abuse, and fans were stunned to see that his nose had become had become badly misshapen due to decades of snorting various drugs . For several weeks, it looked as though Lange had fully committed himself to the hard work of recovery. He even vowed to do one show a month for which all proceeds would go to toward helping a fellow addict attend rehab. But now, a source close to the comic tells Radar Online that Lange has fallen off the wagon and is currently “in self-destruction mode.” Lange is due in court on January 30 for repeated probation violations. The insider says friends and family worry that he since he knows he’ll be sent to prison or court-ordered rehab, Lange has decided to throw caution to the wind in the weeks between now and then. “He knows he won’t survive drug court, so he’s going to party as much as much as he can until he gets thrown in jail or a year-long rehab,” the source says. “Even his sponsors from The Retreat [Lange’s most recent rehab center] know that he’s partying even though he’s denying it.” The situation has become so dire that Lange’s colleagues have taken to reaching out to him publicly on social media. “Even Richard Lewis reached out to him on Twitter begging him to get clean,” the insider revealed. “You know if Artie is tweeting at 4 a.m. he’s high.” “Artie, this is my 1000th request over decades to beg you to surrender to your addictions,” Lewis tweeted last week, sharing a photo of haggard-looking Lange in a New Jersey courtroom. “We had the most laughs sober. I love you. You’re beloved and a magnificent comedian cursed with self loathing and fear. Give it up and live.” “What Richard said. Come ON, Artie,” echoed comic Patton Oswalt. “Seriously @artiequitter, please, please listen to Richard,” tweeted comedian and actor Brian Posehn. “As a fellow comic, I really don’t want to have to tweet about how f–king funny you were and how sad it is you’re gone any time super soon. We all love you alive, man.” “Wow I just read this article,” Lange tweeted on Sunday in response to the outpouring of concern. “Guys I’m so blown away by this concern for me. I do not deserve it. I promise u I don’t mean any disrespect to u all,” he added. “I want to live. I want to work. I’m so sorry if I cause u to worry. I love u & I hear u. Loud and clear.” We’d like to add our voice to the chorus of concerned well-wishers who hope to enjoy Lange’s work for many years to come. UPDATE: Moments ago, Lange tweeted a response to the latest reports about his condition. “To the insider selling bullshit to Radar on Line. I know who u are,” Lange tweeted. “I won’t do anything in response that would properly show the disappointmentt [sic] I carry but I say “U eat cheese. it’s like u grew up anywhere but North Jersey. I bow my head. I will light a candle. For ur soul.” We’ll have further updates on this developing story as more information becomes available.
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Artie Lange: Comic Reportedly Near Death Following Latest Relapse
