Phil Collins disclosed details about severe alcoholism that affected him in recent years, speaking to the Sunday Times about his struggle with alcohol dependency. The musician explained that his drinking intensified after he discontinued use of Antabuse, a medication that produces adverse reactions when combined with alcohol, which he had previously relied on during an earlier period of alcohol abuse.
Collins described consuming wine at breakfast and indicated that his substantial alcohol consumption led to hospitalization, where he remained for seven months with damage to both his pancreas and kidneys. He recounted that medical professionals faced critical decisions regarding life support, as his organs were deteriorating significantly. Family members visited him expecting it might be their last opportunity to see him, though Collins stated he retained no memory of these visits due to his condition. He characterized his survival as fortunate and confirmed he has abstained from alcohol since his discharge.
This represents Collins’s second documented period addressing serious alcohol use. In 2015, he had publicly discussed a previous struggle with drinking that followed his 2006 divorce, describing how excessive consumption and television viewing nearly proved fatal before he achieved sobriety at that time.
Beyond alcohol-related health challenges, Collins has navigated multiple other medical conditions in recent years. Neck and spine problems requiring surgical intervention have prevented him from drumming, limiting his participation in the Genesis reunion tour to vocal performances only. He also received a diabetes diagnosis in 2016. Despite these constraints, Collins indicated during preparations for the 2021 Genesis concerts that physical limitations did not substantially diminish audience engagement with his performances.
As a foundational figure in popular music, Collins achieved significant commercial success both as Genesis’s vocalist following Peter Gabriel’s departure and through a parallel solo career, producing numerous chart-topping albums and hit singles throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
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