AEW star Dustin Rhodes has reached a major milestone in his life.
Son of the legendary Dusty Rhodes and older brother to The American Nightmare Cody Rhodes, Dustin Rhodes has faced his share of struggles and achievements. The current ROH World Tag-Team Champion, Rhodes, has often been vocal about the struggles he has faced in his personal life, including his alcohol and drug addictions.
Earlier today, sharing the news on X(Twitter), Rhodes announced 17 years of his sobriety. Writing on social media, he shared:
“Huge day for me! Thank you God for saving me from drugs and alcohol. Happy 17th birthday to me!”
The All Elite Wrestling original has come a long way in his career, fighting his demons and reaching arguably his career’s most successful phase. A true fighter, we at Inside At The Ropes would like to share our heartiest congratulations to Dustin Rhodes for this impressive achievement.
AEW Star Dustin Rhodes Once Revealed His Near-Death Experience With Addiction
Earlier this year, on February 1st, 2025, ‘The Natural’ shared his very close call with death while battling addiction issues. Sharing the story on X(Twitter), he wrote,
“My life is an open book for many of you. I share a lot about it.
In 2000-2008 I was a riddled drug addict and alcoholic. I lost everything over this period, I neglected my Daughter, my family and everyone around me. I didn’t care nor think I had a problem. I pawned everything I owned.
Fast forward to 2008. I lived in a 1 bay garage connected to someone’s house, I had several doctors on call, several drug dealers in my pocket and that was all I cared about. When my rock bottom hit, it hit hard. On a 3 day Benz, I couldn’t kick out. My heart was hurting , I couldn’t move. I have had guns to my head on several occasions and didn’t care about my life or anyones.
On the third night of my rock bottom, I had a spiritual awakening. God spoke to me and said Dustin, you have had enough. I was scared. My wife @gypsy4bigd who had watched me and saw the damage that i was causing on a daily basis, laid there beside me asked me what was wrong. I told her I needed to call my dad.
My father had given me a prepaid cell phone and where I lived, you had to walk up the hill on property to get any bars, I asked my wife to help me to the hill at 3:00 in the morning, pouring rain, I couldn’t walk so I crawled. We got to the top of the hill and I called my dad. Crying, I told hime I needed help. Im sure he thought something bad had happened to me. The next day @WWE’s wellness dept. called me and got me to rehab.
At this point, I was on 50-70 pills a day, 1/2 gallon of vodka a fay, 8 ball of cocaine every 2 days. When I say I was near death, I was near death.Rehab- in detox for 8 days and then on day 30, I walked out of rehab never wanting to return. I went to NA/AA meetings everyday for 2 yrs straight and worked my program to the bone to stay clean and sober. I was given a second chance by God and God only. I thank God daily.
Message- if you are going through something similar, reach out to God, seek help and get it. Don’t be a statistic in this world. Live!!!
Fast forward 16 almost 17 yrs later, I am as sober and clean as a whistle and love it. Didn’t think I would ever be where I am today. But I am. Fuck the devil that sits on my shoulder wanting me to walk with him. I will not!!! I have gotten everything back I had lost and more, because of God. I am sorry for hurting so many people along the way in those dark times. My dad, would call me early in my recovery telling to #KeepSteppin every damn day. I have and you can too. I love yall and thank you for your continued love and support.”
In other news: The Young Bucks have revealed why NJPW is “easier” than AEW.