Three years after the South Carolina plane crash that killed four and critically injured Travis Barker and DJ AM, Barker is speaking out about the positive changes that resulted from the horrific accident.
The heavily tattooed, hard-rocking musician told Rolling Stone he’s been vegan since leaving the hospital where he was treated for severe burns suffered in the crash. He also makes exercise more of a priority. But the most important change was probably weaning himself off the prescription medication he was dependent on before the accident.
“In the hospital, I promised myself that if I ever walked again, that I would eat well and swim every day. Before the plane crash, I was battling a painkiller addiction. For years,” he says. “I can proudly say I didn't even take any pain medication after I got out of the hospital. They told me I'd be on some of the medicine for the rest of my life, but I got off all of them. They made me a completely different person.”
Barker, 35, admitted one other change that resulted from the crash. He no longer flies, limiting his touring opportunities. It’s something he hopes to eventually overcome, though.
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