Hulk Hogan’s Final Interview Reveals Wrestler’s Unheard Substance Abuse With Fentanyl

A year after his death, previously undisclosed details from the life of Hulk Hogan were revealed through a recently released Netflix series. Titled Hulk Hogan: Real American, the show features confessions made by the late wrestler before his death from a heart attack.

In the final episode of the four-part series, Hogan shared his experience during a challenging period of substance abuse. He disclosed that he had consumed fentanyl during a controversial period in his life.

Hulk Hogan, born Terry Bollea, struggled with fentanyl use following his divorce from Linda Hogan. The couple ended their 24-year marriage in 2009, and the split quickly became a high-profile controversy. He also aimed to return to the ring during that period.

At the same time, Hogan worked to fulfill his contractual obligations with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. To meet those commitments, he said he was consuming large amounts of fentanyl.

Hulk Hogan said he took about 80 milligrams of fentanyl and placed it in his gums. He also applied 300 mg patches of the drug to his legs. In the docuseries, Hogan recalled a pharmacist’s reaction after learning about the amount of fentanyl he was consuming.

In his words, “I had two 300mg patches of Fentanyl on my legs, and they gave me six 1500mg fentanyl lollipops to eat. I went to the pharmacy, he goes, 'You should be dead. We have never seen a human being take this much Fentanyl."

Hulk Hogan also addressed why he chose to return to the ring at 56 instead of retiring. He said that after his divorce, he hit rock bottom financially, having given up nearly 70% of his assets as alimony.

Former wrestling executive Eric Bischoff explained Hogan’s circumstances and said, “Hulk was reluctant to go, but he needed the money. He was in the darkest, most devastating part of his life. Your wife’s divorcing you, your doctors are giving you fistfuls of pills that would kill a horse, and you're chasing it down with a quart of vodka a day."

Despite his efforts to fulfill his contractual obligations, Hogan was no longer in condition to meet all the demands of the role. Those close to him saw him struggling with substance abuse again and trying to regain control.

Hulk Hogan underwent several back surgeries during this period, which added to his difficulties, as he could not sleep in a bed. He also said he reached a breaking point with his fentanyl use and experienced suicidal thoughts.

Speaking in the docuseries, he said, “I went home, I started drinking and started eating pills, and I just went down this rabbit hole for a couple of days. Next thing I know, I'm sitting in front of my bathroom with a gun in my mouth and not knowing what I was doing, you know?"