Drake Bell, Josh Peck Discuss Rehab, Recovery and Amanda Bynes

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The actors Drake Bell and Josh Peck, who are best known for their roles in Drake & Josh, have spoken openly about how their experiences dealing with scrutiny as young performers and subsequent battles with drug issues affected their personal journeys.

Bell shared some surprising details during the latest episode of the Good Guys podcast, hosted by Josh Peck and entrepreneur Ben Soffer. He explained, “Everything was open to the public, it’s just mind-boggling! It wasn’t easy,” he admitted. This episode aired on Thursday.

A year after his appearance on the Investigation Discovery docuseries “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV”, he had already worked on a Nickelodeon kids TV show with Brian Peck, prior to Peck’s former dialogue coach being convicted for sexually assaulting him in 2004. The four-part series on ID highlighted claims of abuse, sexism, racism, and inappropriate conduct involving underage stars and crew members on Nickelodeon shows overseen by Schneider.

On Thursday, during the second segment of their podcast chat, I found myself pondering over Bell’s choice to seek help at a rehab center in Nashville. Reflecting on the moment, I realized it was likely due to sheer exhaustion. I felt as if there was no other way out, like a trapped rodent yearning for freedom, unable to carry on any longer.

Bell shared during that period about having a child and a tumultuous marriage, with his innate survival skills from throughout his life perhaps propelling him towards the possibility of escaping a pattern of harmful actions. “I’ve always known how to survive,” he said. “I’ve been doing it for my entire life. I feel like I’ve had to just survive. And so, I knew I could do that, but I didn’t know how.

Despite his initial reluctance to enter Cumberland Heights rehab in Nashville, Bell found an immediate sense of relief upon passing through its doors. “It was the first deep breath I’d taken in, I can’t remember how long,” he shared on Peck’s podcast. “Suddenly, oh my God, that’s what this feels like. Yes, it’s going to be alright.

Beyond simply standing firm, Bell’s struggle continued as he felt deeply that nobody truly comprehended his internal turmoil or the hardships he had faced. Yet, in group meetings, he came to realize that others too were experiencing pain and courage, as they bravely shared their own experiences. This helped him understand that he was not alone in his struggle.

After completing his recovery, the musician and actor often wondered when and how he could share his journey with his fans and a broader audience. “It seemed like, following rehab, this was the perfect moment, my chance to accomplish something I never thought possible,” Bell expressed emphatically.

Peck openly discussed his personal path to recovery, which encompassed attending a 12-step meeting that taught him that addiction goes beyond visible actions and delves into the roots of hidden traumas. Similar to Bell, Peck discovered he wasn’t fighting alone and didn’t have to bear the burden of personal struggles on his own.

Peck recollected that he felt a sense of relief only when he entered a room filled with others who shared similar thoughts, feelings, and experiences, including coping mechanisms like drinking. Yet, they weren’t a group of somber individuals. Instead, they were people with lives, families, and careers. And at that moment, he realized, ‘Thank goodness, I’m not the only one.’ Because trauma, illness, or addiction often seeks to isolate you.

During their podcast, the stars of Drake & Josh recollected the stress of being under public scrutiny as they juggled the challenges of maintaining their fame and a Hollywood career, all while battling their personal struggles. Remarkably, neither one was aware of the other’s battles at the time, which unknowingly added tension to their own friendship.

Initially, the factors that strained our relationship on set ended up being the very ones that drew us closer together. We spoke about this in a podcast we recently appeared on. Peck also mentioned: “I owe a great deal to the documentary ‘Quiet on Set’, not just for what it did for us, but for its impact on the global conversation and for viewers everywhere.

Among the shows discussed in the ID docuseries were “The Amanda Show,” “Drake & Josh,” “Zoey 101,” “iCarly,” “Victorious,” and “Sam & Cat.” Bell additionally spoke about his professional relationship with Amanda Bynes, a fellow cast member from “The Amanda Show.” He expressed great admiration for her talent and star power during their collaboration. “She was an inspiration to me… She’s one of the most gifted individuals, astonishing,” he remarked about Bynes.

Peck also acknowledged Bynes: “She’s simply extraordinary. She was incredible back then, and she continues to be so now, all while being a wonderful person. Despite some public challenges, I believe she has one of the biggest hearts, most impressive skills, and exceptional talents out there. I just adore her.

As a teenager, Bynes gained stardom through two Nickelodeon shows, yet faced battles with mental health issues and substance abuse. In the year 2022, she was discharged from a prolonged court conservatorship that included her parents.

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2025-03-27 18:55