Presley Gerber got candid about overcoming addiction six months before his tragic death at age 27.
Presley — the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and husband Rande Gerber — died in a rehab facility on Sunday, September 20, Us confirmed. A spokesperson for the Gerber family said in a statement, “The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time,” it read.
Just six months before his death, Presley opened up about a psychedelic treatment for his addiction, undergoing what he described as an “ibogaine flood dose.”
According to the Iboga Wellness Institute, ibogaine is a naturally occurring compound “derived from the root bark of the African plant Tabernanthe iboga.” Therapeutic flood doses can be used to “treat opioid and other substance use disorders,” the organization’s website states. Ibogaine is not currently legal in the U.S.
In a March 26 Instagram post, Presley shared a video clip of him preparing to undergo ibogaine treatment and wrote, “Quiet moment before everything changed. I was absolutely terrified, and I knew I would be again if I ever had to face something like this (helps to not go into the situations you do that get ya there but that’s life sometimes.)”
He continued, “My mantras were love yourself and [it’s] gotta be the last time for this reason. Letting go of control didn’t come easy, but I trusted there was something bigger than me guiding it. I knew why I was there. I faced what I had been running from, and somewhere in all of it, I started finding my way back to myself 🤍…. We shall see.”
“Praying it’s the last time I have to come back. Next time I’d like to choose 😜 🙏🏻 And absolutely can’t forget the incredible caring kind and on their s**t team. Helps a lot haha. And I made some dope ass friends there 🫂,” Presley added.
Crawford, 60, Rande, 64, and Presley’s sister, Kaia Gerber, were among the people to comment on his post at the time.
“You are a warrior! Walked thru the fire to find yourself! So proud! 🙏,” Cindy wrote.
Kaia, 25, wrote, “That’s my brother I am so damn proud.”
Rande added, “Rooting for you Presley! Always admire your drive to never stop fighting for your life. Good things are coming! 🦋🫶”
During a 2023 appearance on the “Studio 22” podcast, Presley shared his mental health challenges and how he hoped to help others struggling with their mental health.
“Having struggled with mental health, depression and some other things that come along with that, I think that whether I help one person or a hundred people get out of that place I was in at one point in my life, that’s all I need to do,” he said.
“It’s a huge part of my life. It’s a 24/7 job and there’s so much to it,” he continued. “That’s what I really want to do — help people get out of whether you’re depressed [or] struggling with something that’s having a negative effect on your body. … What I hope I can do is have made the mistakes for some other people, so they don’t have to make the same mistakes that I made.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
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