Aussies call out small detail in Jackie O's rehab confession: 'Out of touch'

Trigger warning: This article references substance use disorder

Jackie 'O' Henderson has been accused of being 'out of touch' with the average Aussie after revealing live on air last week that she attended rehab for drug and alcohol addiction. The Kyle and Jackie O Show host checked herself into The Betty Ford Centre in California in late 2022, telling listeners at the time that she was taking a break because she was suffering from long Covid.

While many listeners have shared their support for Jackie, who is donating all money from book sales to Odyssey House Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre, some have been less kind. One person took to Facebook to call the radio host out of touch, saying, "[Jackie O] has spoken about how waking up early for breakfast radio has taken its toll on her both mentally and emotionally, stating waking up at 5.30am to go to work at 6.30am is so unhealthy and it’s just so hard to sit on her ass for 3-6 hours talking s**t on the radio.

"The pure nepotism and privilege from people who have no grasp on reality as the average Australian person. News flash Kyle and Jackie… more than half the population get up early for work it’s called being a f**kn' adult."

Many people were quick to share their own thoughts on the matter, and not all agreed with the original poster.

"My husband wakes at 2am and works 12-15 hrs 6 days a week!" one person responded. "Like so many other hard working Aussies!"

"I’m up at 5:30 and work until 4," another said. "Does she need to remove the pea from under her mattresses so she can get some sleep?"

"5:30 is a bloody sleep in, what planet is she living on," a third added.

Fans share support for Jackie O: 'End the stigma'

Others were on Jackie's side, with one saying, "Would it be so hard to be compassionate for each individual circumstance? You or I cant know what her life is really like so this is just mean."

"Jackie O has shared a struggle that she has had and you respond like that!" another agreed. "Is kindness not a thing anymore?"

"This is why people don't speak up about their mental health issues," a third said. "They get ridiculed. End the stigma."

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Others pointed out that you'd actually get up earlier than 5:30am for breakfast radio, with one saying, "I thought she gets up at 3am... I’m sorry but I admire her, she didn’t need to speak of her addictions she had kept it a secret for years, she spoke out to help others.

She has written a book and all the proceeds will be donated to drug and alcohol clinic to help others.. credit where credit is due, wouldn’t you say?"

According to the Daily Mail, Jackie usually wakes up at around 4am to get ready for work.

Jackie O reveals all profits from her book will be donated

On Tuesday, Jackie took to Instagram to thank her followers for their support, and revealed she would be donating all the profits from her book to Odyssey House Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre.

She said, "Since sharing my story last week, I've been deeply moved by the thousands of messages I've received from people facing challenges similar to mine but unable to afford rehab. I was fortunate enough to have access to treatment and I recognise how privileged that makes me.

"Unfortunately, not everyone has the same opportunity. Which is why, all my profits from my book, which is on sale tomorrow, will be donated to Odyssey House Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre."

She continued, saying the centre provides "life-changing support" to those seeking treatment, but "are struggling financially".

Jackie said she was "honoured" to donate the money because the work they do is "powerful, important and transformative".

Why Jackie went public with addiction battle

Jackie said she questioned whether or not she would share this information about her time in rehab as she didn't want to be known as a "former drug addict" but hoped that by sharing her story, she could help someone else.

Jackie said she knew she'd regret not telling the truth, saying her addiction was "so powerful", adding she can't believe how her life changed after getting treatment for the disease.

"Life changed for me in the most positive way, I could never have imagined being this happy," Jackie said of her life after rehab.

Jackie added that she had asked her daughter Kitty, 13, for permission before sharing her story, saying she treated her with "compassion".

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"I couldn't be more proud of my daughter, the way she has been about it has been zero judgement, just compassionate and supportive," the radio host said. "I said to Kitty, I feel there are so many people out there who have different kinds of addictions that are stuck in this place they can't get out of."

Jackie warned Kitty that her schoolmates might try to talk to her about it in an unkind way, and her daughter displayed a huge level of maturity by saying that she didn't want judgemental people in her life.

The host will mark two years of sobriety in a few weeks.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a drug and alcohol addiction, you can contact The National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015

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