Charlie Sheen, the former star of the hit sitcom Two and a Half Men, has always been candid about his struggles with substance abuse. In his newly released memoir, The Book of Sheen, which hit shelves today, he opens up about the turbulent times leading up to his firing from the show. While Sheen acknowledges his history with drugs, he emphasizes that the root cause of his erratic behavior was not solely due to crack cocaine or painkillers, but rather a street-legal testosterone cream he was using to enhance his physique.
In the memoir, Sheen recounts a pivotal moment when Les Moonves, the then-head of CBS, visited his home. Moonves offered Sheen the use of a private jet to fly him to rehab, but Sheen shockingly declined the offer. Instead, he decided to quit all the drugs he was using cold turkey. However, he reveals that he continued applying the testosterone cream in excessive amounts, likening it to a commercial for Pond's. Sheen admits, "What I chose not to quit was the testosterone cream that I was slathering on in mind-altering gobs," illustrating the extent of his misguided attempts to regain control over his life.
Sheen explains that he had been using the cream to achieve a better physique, unaware that it could alter his mental state. He states, "That drug is known to metabolize into the identical psych profile an anabolic steroid will produce." This revelation sheds light on the psychological turmoil he experienced during this tumultuous period. Sheen clarifies that he is not using this information to excuse his behavior but rather to elucidate the events leading up to his public implosion. "Not making excuses or asking for a pass," he asserts, adding that he simply wants to clarify a detail that may have been overlooked amid his turbulent lifestyle.
In a cheeky tone, Sheen acknowledges the irony of his situation, saying, "I've heard great things about the drug when used responsibly, but let's keep it real — drugs and responsible are two words I never made a habit of cramming into the same sentence." This humorous yet candid insight reflects Sheen's self-awareness and the complexity of his experiences.
Sheen, who starred alongside Jon Cryer in the first eight seasons of Two and a Half Men, was dismissed from the series in 2011 due to dangerously self-destructive behavior, as outlined in a letter from Warner Bros. Television attorneys. His erratic conduct included rampant drug use and derogatory comments about series co-creator Chuck Lorre. Following his firing, Sheen experienced a highly publicized meltdown, which included a notorious interview with Andrea Canning on 20/20, where he famously claimed to have "tiger blood" and introduced the hashtag, "winning."
In his memoir, Sheen attributes some of his infamous quotes, such as "tiger blood," "Adonis DNA," and "winning," to a conversation he had with San Francisco Giants baseball player Brian Wilson. This anecdote illustrates how Sheen's life became a spectacle, with his phrases becoming viral memes across the internet. As he reflects on these events, Sheen provides an intimate look at the highs and lows of his life, offering fans a deeper understanding of the man behind the headlines.
For those interested in the complexities of celebrity life and the struggles of addiction, The Book of Sheen promises to be an enlightening read, filled with both humor and heartfelt revelations.
