Full Breakdown
Cara Delevingne Discloses GHB Withdrawal Seizure and Sobriety Journey
6/5/2026, 2:20:47 AM
The Seizure and Its Aftermath
In 2022 the British model and actress experienced a seizure caused by withdrawal from gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) after attending the Burning Man festival. Paparazzi photographed her disheveled at Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles shortly after the event. The images prompted Delevingne to check herself into a substance-abuse rehabilitation program.
Background: Daily GHB Use and the 30th-Birthday Blowout
Delevingne reported that she had been ingesting GHB each day, pairing it with cocaine to stay awake. She had previously stopped using ketamine and was using GHB as a “knock-yourself-out” agent. A “blowout” celebration for her 30th birthday intensified her use, after which she attempted to quit without medical supervision, later learning that abrupt cessation can trigger seizures.
Timeline of Key Events
- Early 2022: Daily GHB and cocaine consumption begins.
- Mid-2022: 30th-birthday party “blowout” leads to increased use.
- Late 2022: Seizure at Burning Man; paparazzi capture post-seizure images at Van Nuys Airport.
- 2023: Delevingne describes the photos as a “reality check” in interviews.
- 2024: Announces new music while continuing sobriety efforts.
Data & Statistics
- Age at disclosure: 33 years.
- Substance: GHB, classified in sources as a “date-rape drug” and “liquid ecstasy,” a central nervous system depressant.
- Co-substance: Cocaine, used to counteract GHB-induced drowsiness.
- Medical consequence: Seizure following abrupt GHB withdrawal.
Official Statements & Responses
Delevingne told host Alex Cooper on the *Call Her Daddy* podcast that she “hit rock bottom” in 2022 and that the public images revealed only a fraction of her struggle. She acknowledged that she “didn’t know how addictive that stuff was” and that she “didn’t know you really had to medically detox from it.” She cited a “blowout” birthday party as the turning point that led her to seek professional treatment. Delevingne also discussed recurring suicidal thoughts during her period of fame and credited an unexpected song on shuffle as a moment that helped her choose life over self-destruction.
Verbatim Quotes
- “If people thought it was bad what they saw, they didn’t see half of it. The damage was really being done alone,” — Cara Delevingne, *Call Her Daddy*
- “Those photos were taken right after I’d had a seizure at Burning Man and I was meant to go to work. It was just an absolute storm.” — Cara Delevingne, *Call Her Daddy*
- “I took it every day. I didn’t know that you really had to like medically detox from it and I started having seizures,” — Cara Delevingne, *Call Her Daddy*
- “I was so close to ending my life.” — Cara Delevingne, *Call Her Daddy*
- “A song came on shuffle when I was alone in a hotel room and it was a song that was played at a friend’s funeral who died of an overdose.” — Cara Delevingne, *Call Her Daddy*
Impact and Public Awareness
Delevingne’s disclosure underscores the hidden nature of substance dependence among high-profile individuals and highlights the medical risks of unsupervised GHB cessation. By publicly naming the drug and describing withdrawal seizures, she contributes to broader awareness of the need for professional detox and mental-health support.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All details about the seizure and addiction stem from Delevingne’s own interview; no independent medical records or third-party confirmations are provided in the sources. Consequently, the precise clinical assessment of her condition remains unverified.
What’s Next
Delevingne is preparing to release new music while maintaining sobriety. She indicated an intention to continue discussing her addiction publicly, suggesting further media appearances may elaborate on treatment experiences and advocacy for substance-abuse resources.
