Jackie ‘O’ Henderson has shared a heartfelt message of thanks to her fans and revealed she will donate the profits of her new memoir to a rehabilitation centre, days after revealing her private battle with addiction live on air.
“Since sharing my story last week, I’ve been deeply moved by the thousands of messages I’ve received from people facing challenges similar to mine but unable to afford rehab,” she wrote in a statement posted to her Instagram.
Last week, Henderson revealed that at the peak of her struggle with prescription drug and alcohol addiction, she checked into the Betty Ford Centre in Palm Springs, California to seek treatment. She’s aware this is something many people can’t access.
“I was fortunate enough to have access to treatment and I recognise how privileged that makes me,” Henderson continued.
READ MORE: For months, Jackie wondered if she should tell the public the truth
The radio star, 49, revealed all profits from her memoir The Whole Truth by Jackie O will go towards supporting others who may be facing similar circumstances.
“Unfortunately, not everyone has the same opportunity. Which is why all my profits from my book which is on sale tomorrow will be donated to Odyssey House Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre,” she wrote.
“Odyssey House provides life-changing support to individuals seeking treatment but who are struggling financially.
“I’m grateful for the important work they do and I’m honoured to donate all my profit from my book to this incredible organisation. The work they do is powerful, important and transformative.”
READ MORE: Jackie’s emotional update after revealing private battle on air
Henderson concluded her statement with a message of thanks for the many people who have supported her and opened up to her with similar stories.
“Thank you to everyone who has shared their personal stories with me. I’m still reading through your messages and will do my best to respond to each one. Your honesty and support means the world to me.”
Last Thursday, Henderson opened up about her experience with addiction in a planned reading from her memoir on The Kyle and Jackie O Show.
“I was scared to tell people and say this out loud, I know people will look at me differently and judge me,” Henderson said while speaking to her co-host Kyle Sandilands.
“I was in a really, really dark place.”
For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.
Henderson admitted she was taking pain killers, sleeping pills and alcohol in a three-year addiction battle that ended with a month-long stay in a rehabilitation centre in November 2022.
She kept the experience very private with only a select few people in her life knowing the truth about her wellbeing. Even Sandilands was unaware of Henderson’s experience until last week.
She called it a “lie by omission” when she read out parts of her memoir’s prologue on air.
If you or someone you know would like to talk to someone confidentially about addiction, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit Reach Out. In an emergency, call 000.