In an unfortunate update, Diamond Dallas Page says that Buff Bagwell has suffered a relapse and entered a rehab facility.
In early March, Buff Bagwell announced that he was cancelling his upcoming appearances in order to “get himself together.” In the post on social media, Bagwell explained that he would be moving in with Diamond Dallas Page and taking part in the WWE Hall of Famer’s new “Change or Die” docuseries, which chronicles multiple people making life-saving changes in their lives.
While the former WCW star was seemingly doing well upon moving into DDP’s house, Diamond Dallas Page recently shared the unfortunate news that he’s relapsed and entered a rehab program. Speaking on his YouTube channel, DDP had this to say about his friend’s battle with addiction:
“Hey guys, a lot of you may be aware of the fact that I’ve been working with Marcus Bagwell over the last eight or nine months on a project that we’ve started. It’s a docu-series called ‘Change or Die.’
“It means different things to different people. Marcus didn’t have a weight loss problem. He was heavy at the time, but he didn’t have a weight loss problem. He didn’t have borderline diabetes. What he had was an addiction. An addiction that he could mask really well. And most people who have addictions can do that.”
Continuing, DDP emphasized the importance of being around people who have your best interest at heart when it comes to addiction recovery, and says that Buff Bagwell had some people in his life who, even if not ill-intentioned, were enabling him. He then revealed that it was in Bagwell’s best interest to enter a rehab facility.
“Over this period, had some ups and downs. And for the most part, he was doing really well. But a lot of times, with addiction, it has everything to do with the people you hang out most with. And when he’s with us, like our whole force is about positive reinforcement, you know, a place you can be safe.
“When he goes outside of that. Well, those people, they don’t really care about that. Or they think they do but they really don’t. And your friends, the people who are around you are like an elevator. They can bring you up or they can bring you down. Now because of some of the negative influences and Mark’s life, and I’m talking about people who love him and enable him. He’s had a relapse. So we had a meeting with all of my people and Marcus. And we all agreed that it was time for him to go to a rehab facility.
“It’s going to be hard. I know, because I’ve dealt with this before again and again. And I keep swearing I’m never doing it again. But we’ve been together for 30 years, me and this cat. And I really want to see him get to the other side.
Diamond Dallas Page said that the timeframe for Bagwell to stay in the rebab facility is unknown, but noted that the star is in a positive mindset and wants to make the needed changes in his life. Unfortunately, that means cancelling upcoming appearances in order to focus on his health.
Now, we don’t know how long Marcus is going to be at the rehab facility. But he’s in a really positive mindset. I mean, the best I’ve ever heard him. And he’s really taking what we were teaching him and applying it there. And he’s actually enjoying it right now. And eventually, he’s gonna get out.
“But one of the reasons I’m doing this is because there’s going to be a lot of appearances that needed to be canceled, which we’ll be kicking back up again once he gets out. But in the meantime, he needs to take care of himself. Addiction. We all know someone who’s fighting it. And it’s a tough place. And I’m really hoping that you guys can help support him when he gets up. I appreciate it. Thanks, guys.”
h/t WrestlingNews.co
Inside the Ropes sends well wishes to Marcus “Buff” Bagwell during his time in recovery. If you or someone you know needs treatment for mental health or substance abuse, help is available through SAMHSA in the United States or worldwide through a number of international organizations.