Robert F. Kennedy Jr. admits to past cocaine use and shares decades-long struggle with addiction on Theo Von’s podcast in Los Angeles

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made a startling revelation during a recent podcast appearance, admitting that before achieving sobriety, he had snorted cocaine off toilet seats.

Speaking on Theo Von’s This Past Weekend podcast, Kennedy reflected candidly on his past, framing it as part of a broader story of addiction and recovery.

“I’m not scared of a germ,” Kennedy explained, “I used to snort cocaine off of toilet seats.” His blunt admission is part of a larger discussion about his decades-long journey with substance abuse, which has shaped both his personal philosophy and his professional perspective on health policy.

A Lifelong Battle With Addiction

Kennedy’s history with drugs spans back to the summer of 1968, shortly after the assassination of his father, Robert F. Kennedy.

He told USA Today that he first experimented with LSD at a party that summer, which quickly led to opioid use.

By the end of that summer, he was addicted to heroin, a struggle that would last 14 years.

Over the years, Kennedy has described addiction as a force that “hollows out your whole life.”

At one point, his dependency led to legal troubles, including a 1983 arrest for heroin possession.

He pleaded guilty to felony possession, receiving two years of probation and community service.

Reflecting back, he called the arrest “the best thing that could have happened” because it set him on the path to sobriety.

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Recovery and the Importance of Meetings

Kennedy credits daily recovery meetings with helping him maintain sobriety, attending 7 a.m. sessions in Los Angeles consistently.

Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when official meetings were halted, Kennedy and a group of fellow “pirate” recoverees continued to meet in person, defying restrictions.

“I know this disease will kill me if I don’t treat it,” he said, describing his commitment to recovery. “For me, it was survival.”

Now, after 43 years of sobriety, Kennedy reflects on the habits and mindset that have kept him on track, including taking responsibility for daily actions and practicing gratitude for things beyond his control.

Addiction Shapes His Policy Perspective

Kennedy has frequently linked his personal experiences with addiction to his professional work.

At the Rx and Illicit Drug Summit last April, he emphasized that understanding the personal toll of substance abuse informs his policies as Health and Human Services Secretary.

“The only way I stay sober is through taking responsibility for my daily actions,” he told the audience.

His journey has included highs and lows, legal consequences, and personal tragedies, yet he frames each experience as a lesson in resilience and accountability.

What’s Next?

Kennedy’s openness about his past comes as part of a broader effort to influence drug policy in the U.S.

His experiences position him uniquely to advocate for programs that support addiction recovery, prevention, and public health education.

As debates over prescription and illicit drug regulation continue, Kennedy is likely to remain a vocal figure, emphasizing the human realities behind substance abuse and the importance of sustained recovery efforts.

Summary

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. revealed on Theo Von’s podcast that he snorted cocaine off toilet seats prior to achieving sobriety.

His substance abuse began after the assassination of his father in 1968, eventually leading to 14 years of heroin addiction.

Kennedy credits daily recovery meetings and a 1983 heroin possession arrest with setting him on the path to sobriety.

Now 72, with 43 years clean, Kennedy emphasizes personal responsibility and gratitude in maintaining recovery, and his experiences inform his approach to U.S. drug policy.