Duran Duran Star John Taylor Tells of his Battle Against Alcohol

Birmingham-born musician describes group therapy which saved him at conference on addictive disorders

Birmingham-born Duran Duran bass player John Taylor has spoken of his battle against alcohol, describing it as a ‘disease’.

The 52-year-old superstar, who sold more than 80 million albums during his glittering career, suffered from addictions as he coped with his rise to fame.

Taylor, who grew up in Hollywood, Birmingham, attended Abbey High School in Redditch.

In 1978 along with Nick Rhodes and Steven Duffy, he formed Duran Duran whole at School of Foundation Studies & Experimental Workshop Birmingham Polytechnic, which is now Birmingham City University.

Talking about how he overcame his addictions, Taylor has revealed that group therapy was the key.

He said: “I had always thought my problems were down to either the bad choices I had made or because I was just a bad person.

“The idea that this might not be the case was a revelation to me.

“Rehab was not judgmental.

“Essentially, I was told that I could not process alcohol properly, and that it most certainly wasn’t anything I could control.

“One unexpected benefit that came from accepting that I had a disease, was the dissipation of blame towards everyone and everything – myself included.

“There were 50 or more of us in rehab at the time I was there, broken into groups of about ten.

“Everyone in my group took part in our family therapy, and we took part in theirs.

“I had never been encouraged to talk so openly about my own feelings.

“It was mind-expanding, and very moving. I wish everyone could have an experience like that, and I will be forever grateful for it.”

“In a perfect world, I would like everyone to have access to the kind of rich, emotionally educative experience that I had in rehab.”

He is speaking at the three-day UK/European Symposium on Addictive Disorders this week.

Deirdre Boyd, UKESAD cofounder and organiser said: “Like John, everyone should be able to access rehab, particularly in the UK where ‘freedom from dependence’ is enshrined as a goal of the 2010 Drug Policy.

“However, in shameful contrast, only about two per cent of patients ‘in the system’ have been allowed rehab.”