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Travis Barker has spoken about the health warning that finally convinced him to abandon marijuana after years of regular use, revealing that doctors found precancerous changes in his oesophagus.
The Blink-182 drummer, 50, discussed his experience while appearing on the Big Bro with Kid Cudi podcast on November 11. He admitted that smoking had been a major part of his life and that quitting was never something he had seriously considered before his diagnosis.
"I only quit because I got diagnosed with precancer of the esophagus," Barker said, adding that he had enjoyed smoking blunts and often consumed too much.
The seriousness of the situation became clear after he asked his doctor whether he had reason to be concerned. According to Barker, the response left little room for him to continue his previous habits. "This is your warning shot. Don't f--k around. You've got to stop smoking," his doctor told him.
Barker said he had been consuming between 10 and 15 blunts a day before the warning. He had also imagined continuing to smoke for the rest of his life, using country musician Willie Nelson as an example. "I thought I could be like Willie Nelson and smoke to the day I die," he said.
Although he has given up smoking, Barker admitted that the habit is still something he misses. He has instead developed a stronger commitment to running, which he says has become an important part of maintaining his sobriety.
He also spoke about his previous struggles with prescription painkillers and opioids, which became a problem before his 2008 plane crash. The accident killed four people and left Barker with serious injuries, including burns that required extensive medical treatment.
His experience with substance use following the crash has been discussed in previous interviews. Speaking to Men's Health in 2021, he explained how the accident changed his relationship with drugs.
He added that surviving the accident and losing friends made him reconsider his life, describing the experience as the turning point that helped him leave his addiction behind.
He added that surviving the accident and losing friends made him reconsider his life, describing the experience as the turning point that helped him leave his addiction behind.
