Following the release of the Quiet on Set investigative docuseries, shedding light on the toxic culture of children's television shows in the 1990s and 2000s, Drake Bell opened up about navigating through his "darkest moments."
In the latest episode of the Luminosity podcast, aired on Wednesday, May 1, and in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the 37-year-old actor, who previously disclosed experiencing sexual abuse during his time as a child actor on Nickelodeon, shared his battle with substance abuse.
The Drake & Josh star confessed to prioritizing substances over relationships with friends, recognizing the temporary nature of such choices. He emphasized the importance of maintaining sobriety for a healthier path forward.
Bell shared that insights from Matthew McConaughey and Mike Tyson about "embracing failures" have been instrumental in his journey. He emphasized how failures can amplify the significance of successes, citing examples like Jeff Bezos and championship fighters. According to him, those who overcome setbacks emerge stronger and achieve greatness. He encouraged others facing adversity to learn from their experiences, absorb the lessons, and persevere through the storm. By taking punches and remaining resilient, individuals can emerge stronger and more resilient than before.
During the podcast, Bell candidly discussed his own struggles with mental health over the years, offering advice to those facing similar battles.
"In those moments where I feel like it's all over and I don't want to continue, I still have this curiosity to see what tomorrow holds," explained the Nickelodeon alum. "When you're in that darkness, people tell you, 'Tomorrow will be better.' But you're thinking, 'You don't understand the pain I'm carrying inside.'"
"Fortunately, I do understand," Bell continued. "I can share that tomorrow can be brighter. It's moment by moment. You might get hit by a wave of anxiety, but you have a choice: let it consume you or conquer it. That's a superpower."
The new episode of the Luminosity podcast premieres on May 1 at 9 a.m. ET on all podcast-streaming platforms.
For support with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
If you need mental health assistance or have experienced sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to speak with a certified crisis counselor.
The Quran - Chapter Al-Ahqaf : 26 - 28
Indeed, We had established them1 in a way We have not established you ˹Meccans˺. And We gave them hearing, sight, and intellect. But neither their hearing, sight, nor intellect were of any benefit to them whatsoever, since they persisted in denying Allah’s signs. And ˹so˺ they were overwhelmed by what they used to ridicule.
We certainly destroyed the societies around you after having varied the signs so perhaps they would return ˹to the Right Path˺.
Why then were they not helped by those ˹idols˺ they took as gods besides Allah, hoping to get closer ˹to Him˺? Instead, they failed them. That is ˹the result of˺ their lies and their fabrications.
The worldly status enjoyed by the Quraysh chiefs had made them arrogant. Here they have been reminded of their neighbours, the people of ‘Ad.
From the point of view of civilization, they had been on a much higher plane than the Quraysh. Nonetheless, when God’s ordinance was imposed, their entire grandeur and glory were destroyed.
Whatever they had considered their supports, failed to come to their rescue. A human being is, after all, going to be greatly reduced in stature before the majesty of God.
But that apart, the system of the world has been devised in such a way that in this life man has to make himself small before others.
This is shown by events which are the signs of God. If, before being cut down to size in the Hereafter, a man learns a lesson from these signs, he will voluntarily make himself small in this very life.
Before facing the Hereafter, he will become realistic in this world itself. Different kinds of events demonstrate God’s signs, but man turns a blind eye and a deaf ear to them, for he is not prepared to learn any lesson from them.
