As Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino approaches his eighth ‘Soberversary’ on December 25, the reality TV star reflects on a dark period in his life when he spent an estimated $500,000 on cocaine and oxycodone. Speaking with ET on Monday, the Jersey Shore icon candidly shared details of his wild past, acknowledging his recklessness and how he fell prey to drug addiction.
In his upcoming memoir, ‘Reality Check,’ co-authored with Andy Symonds and set to hit shelves on December 19, Sorrentino traces his journey to sobriety. The fame and fortune that accompanied his role in the hit MTV reality show between 2009-2012 exacerbated his inner demons, and he struggled to turn off the “excess button.” He confesses to being consistently high during his participation in the 11th season of Dancing With the Stars in 2010.
The memoir delves into a particularly harrowing incident when Sorrentino, preparing for the fourth season of Jersey Shore in Florence, Italy, successfully smuggled ‘a couple hundred Roxys’ in a shoe. He details the nerve-wracking airport episode, revealing how he skillfully diverted TSA security. The reality star paints a vivid picture of his life during that period, carrying an array of drugs, including oxycodone, Xanax, Valium, and even weed and cocaine.
Sorrentino’s battle with addiction reached a critical point, leading to dramatic scenes like the one in Italy where he ran his head into a wall during a heated argument with a castmate. The repercussions of his addiction were severe, culminating in his 2012 treatment at Utah rehab Cirque Lodge and a subsequent rehab stint in 2015 after hitting rock bottom with heroin. Desperation and a sense of self-doubt marked this difficult period, but Sorrentino credits his turnaround to a decision to do things differently. His sobriety journey wasn’t without its legal challenges, as he faced an eight-month sentence at Otisville Federal Correctional Institution for neglecting to pay $8.9 million in taxes.
The reality star, now happily married to college sweetheart Lauren Pesce Sorrentino, acknowledges the positive influence of his family in keeping him on the path to recovery. As the Sorrentinos expect their third child, Mike reflects on the support that has helped him overcome his past struggles. Fans of ‘The Situation’ can catch more of him in the upcoming sixth season reunion for Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, airing this Thursday on MTV.
Written by
Derek Chan – Editor
