November 16, 2008
Fiddler, Parkour Master Darol Anger Enters Rehab for Pill Addiction
Calcium, herbal bone supplement abuse causes near-fatal overdose
Treatment for Anger's wrist fracture has led to chemical dependencies far more dangerous than the fracture itself. Anger's cast, pictured here, is set for removal on Nov. 18.
The renowned musician is reportedly seeking treatment to address several chemical dependencies he acquired during the long course of therapy for his fractured wrist.
The multifaceted Anger is not only a fiddle player but an accomplished practitioner of Parkour, the art of running through urban and rural environments at an unyielding pace using jumping, climbing and rolling to overcome obstacles.
Anger, a consummate innovator, was reportedly pioneering a bicycle-based variant of Parkour when he broke his wrist, an injury that has put his performing career on hold for months.
“He just wanted to get better so badly. He really thought those supplements were the way,” said a source close to Anger.
Like many who suffer from chronic health problems, Anger gradually became dependent on the medications he took to treat his injury. According to several close friends, the fiddler’s life quickly spiraled downward in a cycle of abuse, desperation and self-destruction.
At the height of his addiction, Anger estimates that he was consuming between six and seven kilograms of pure elemental calcium each day in powder- and pill-form, about five thousand times the quantity recommended for a 200-pound adult.
On top of this, Anger would routinely binge on entire bottles of various over-the-counter bone supplements.
“The money goes fast when you’re living like that,” said bassist and rock music historian Skip Ward.
Indeed, Anger soon found himself in dire straits.
“Late one night after the stores in town had closed I realized I had cashed my calcium supply. All gone. Just totally kicked. Plus which I was broke, completely broke,” recalled Anger. “I was fiending so badly I drank a whole quart of rotten milk that I found in a dumpster.”
“I wish I could say that was my lowest low, but it’s not even close,” he added.
Indeed, Anger’s descent into addiction culminated with a life-changing overdose. Friends found him in his home early one morning, unconscious but still breathing.
“He looked like a stick of chalk,” said one of the friends.
“Yeah, and there were bone supplement pills and empty herbal remedy bottles everywhere,” said another. “We rushed him to the hospital, and thank God he’s going to be OK.”
Anger’s cast is scheduled for removal on Nov. 18.
um, thanks everyone for all the good wishes, and I’m feeling better and off the calcium. Now dealing with the usual chocolate problem. I would actually like to wish the Enquirer less credibility… usually translates into more income. And that’s only good!
hahaha ! this is good shit
MDR (mort de rire = LOL). Well, I’m happy to say he’s tout a fait gueri…. back in business! and better than ever… touring all over the planet, spreading good vibes, positive energy and stellar music. He’s French descent, ya know… a total god in all ways. Check him out playing near you with the Swedish super-band as ‘Vasen, Darol Anger and Mike Marshall’ …. Barbara here, happily reporting from beautiful Paris, France, City of Love and Light.
I was there while he consumed his 15 daily lbs of calcium powder and it was ugly. The air was thick with dust. I, personally, must have consumed 2 lbs on my own.
On a positive note, we found that there is money to be made in the world of powdered-calcium-eating-contests. Former world hot dog eating champion, Kobayashi, has given up the sport to join the dark side of the white powder. Calcium powder, that is.
Look for a Kobayashi/Darol Anger world tour in early ’09…
Is the “bluegrass intelligencer” like the supermarket tabloids? 7 kilograms of powder calcium would be equivelent to 247 ounces a day, which translates into 15 lbs…which sounds like a made up story. I’ve noticed a tendency for this magazine to fabricate, or more bluntly, lie. Drinking rotten milk from garbage dumps, a substance that has little value in the absorbation of calcium, seems a bit of an exaggeration. Can anyone name someone who consumes 15 lbs of anything ? It is more likely a pain pill addiction, which would be a more believable reason to support him. If it really were a calcium addiction, he could have went to the sea, and got his fix with seaweed, which is loaded with calcium. In any case, I wish Darol the best, and the “intelligencer” more credibility. Rain
Many spoke of Darol as though he were this super God like being, flawless, and brilliant. Now, we know he is simply like everyone else…suseptible to human fraility, and in need of compassion and kindness, not adulation. My best wishes go out to him. He will survive this. Rain..
I found your site on google blog search and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. Just added your RSS feed to my feed reader. Look forward to reading more from you.
Karen Halls