Phil Collins, the renowned British musician, has revealed that he battled life-threatening alcoholism in recent years, culminating in a hospital stay that nearly cost him his life. In an interview with the Sunday Times, the 75-year-old artist detailed how his drinking escalated after he stopped taking Antabuse, a medication designed to deter alcohol consumption by causing severe illness if alcohol is ingested.

Collins described consuming wine as early as breakfast and admitted that his heavy drinking led to severe organ damage, including to his pancreas and kidneys. In November 2023, he was hospitalized for seven months, during which his condition deteriorated to the point where medical staff debated whether to keep him on life support. He recounted that while his organs were failing and visitors came to say their goodbyes, he was unaware of the gravity of his situation. Collins credited his survival to a combination of medical intervention and luck.

Since his recovery, Collins has stated that he has abstained from alcohol entirely. Reflecting on earlier struggles, he noted that his initial battle with alcoholism intensified following his 2006 divorce from his third wife, Orianne Cevey. In a 2015 interview, he described entering a dark period characterized by excessive drinking and inactivity, which nearly claimed his life.

Collins has faced a series of health challenges over the last decade. In addition to his struggles with alcohol, he has undergone surgeries for neck and spine problems that have left him unable to play drums. During the Genesis reunion tour in 2021, his role was limited to singing while seated due to these physical restrictions. He also announced a diagnosis of diabetes in 2016. Despite these limitations, Collins emphasized in a prior interview that his health issues had not diminished audience engagement during his performances, even if they had altered the way he delivered his music.

Widely regarded as one of the most commercially successful British musicians, Collins is known both for his work with the band Genesis and his solo career, which has spanned several decades.