Joshua Bassett has candidly discussed one of the most challenging phases of his life, detailing how his ketamine addiction escalated before he ultimately sought professional assistance. The star of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series opens up about this dark period in his new memoir, Rookie: My Public, Private and Secret Life, describing a personal breaking point after years of struggling to manage his emotions.
Bassett revealed that his ketamine use intensified rapidly as his tolerance grew. What began as a small amount soon became a consuming habit, peaking at six baggies of ketamine each night. He characterized this time as an uncontrollable downward spiral, where he felt increasingly incapable of functioning without the drug.
At 25 years old, Bassett reached a critical moment when those closest to him recognized his distress. Friends and inner circle members saw that he was overwhelmed, attempting to cope with emotional pain and difficult experiences but ultimately drowning in his struggles. This realization prompted him to seek professional help.
In a significant development, Bassett described how his addiction led to a turning point that transformed his life. He also shared his experience with ayahuasca, a psychedelic treatment sometimes used in addiction recovery and mental health therapy. He described this as a deeply meaningful encounter that brought him a sense of peace he had long sought. Bassett spoke of a profound spiritual moment involving Jesus, while acknowledging that this aspect of his journey might not resonate with everyone.
Since beginning his recovery, Bassett has become an advocate for open conversations about addiction and the importance of compassion for those facing substance abuse challenges. He emphasized that addiction is often rooted in trauma, loneliness, and emotional pain. Instead of judgment, he believes those struggling need understanding and patience as they work toward healing.
This memoir arrives as Bassett continues to reflect publicly on his personal life, years after enduring intense public scrutiny during his rise to fame through Disney’s popular musical series.
