Pete Davidson recalls ‘cooking ketamine’ and reaching breaking point before entering rehab

Davidson said a call from his mother helped prompt him to seek treatment in 2023

Pete Davidson has opened up about his past drug addiction, describing the extent of his substance use before entering rehab and explaining how he reached a turning point in 2023.

In a new interview with Variety, published September 30, Davidson said he was using several substances during the most difficult period of his addiction. He recalled using ketamine, LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, nitrous oxide, cannabis and pills, adding that he had reached a point where he was preparing his own ketamine.

Davidson said the situation became frightening because he no longer felt high while taking drugs and instead experienced that sensation when he was sober. He described that realisation as a sign that his substance use had become a serious problem.

The comedian said he reached what he considered a low point in summer 2023, following the release of Bupkis, the autobiographical comedy series in which he played a version of himself. He had also left Saturday Night Live the previous year, a change he said removed a structure that had been part of his life.

Davidson eventually sought treatment after an emotional FaceTime conversation with his mother, Amy. He said she told him her greatest fear was seeing news that something had happened to him. Davidson said he reached a point where he could no longer put her through that fear.

Although he had attended rehab previously, Davidson said his approach was different this time because he wanted to become sober for himself rather than for another person or a career obligation.

The 32-year-old also discussed his life after addiction. He said he has been free from hard drugs for two or three years and has not used cannabis for about a year. He said he currently drinks around four beers a year.

Davidson credited his daughter Scottie with helping reinforce his commitment to sobriety. He said becoming a father changed his priorities and gave him a stronger reason to focus on his life outside the pressures of fame.