Howie Mandel’s Self‑Medication Nearly Kills Him—He’s Still Awake

**Howie Mandel Reveals Near‑Fatal Self‑Medication During COVID‑19 Pandemic**

Howie Mandel, the 70‑year‑old comedian and longtime host of *America’s Got Talent*, revealed during an interview with Hoda Kotb that a bout of self‑medication nearly cost him his life amid the COVID‑19 pandemic. The revelation came on Monday as Mandel discussed the mental health toll the outbreak took on him.

He said he is now on prescription medication and attends therapy to manage his anxiety.

Mandel said he suffered from obsessive‑compulsive disorder and attention‑deficit/hyperactivity disorder, conditions that intensified when lockdown measures began to restrict normal routines.

He described how insomnia and rumination pushed him toward making homemade gummies, then eventually turning to cigarettes and alcohol in a desperate bid to sleep. In a candid moment on Kotb’s podcast, he warned that his wife had once been unable to wake him from a deep sleep, prompting her to push him toward professional help.

During the pandemic, Mandel’s self‑medication escalated to the point that he described it as nearly lethal. He admitted that he had taken gummies, smoked, and drank to the extent that his wife feared she would have to take him to the hospital.

After her intervention and an ultimatum, he stepped into therapy and remains on medication today. The comedian has since called his wife a hero for insisting he seek help.

## Background & Context

Mandel first disclosed his struggle with obsessive‑compulsive disorder (OCD) and attention‑deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on the same podcast, noting that the pandemic’s isolation amplified both conditions. He said that the sudden loss of daily structure led to intense anxiety, making it difficult to sleep.

In response, he began self‑medicating with homemade gummies before eventually turning to alcohol and nicotine as his insomnia worsened.

During the height of COVID‑19 restrictions, Mandel’s insomnia drove him toward a series of increasingly risky coping mechanisms. He explained that he took gummies to induce sleep, but when those proved insufficient, he began smoking and drinking.

He recalled a terrifying episode in which his wife could not wake him from a deep sleep, fearing she might need to transport him to a medical facility. This incident forced Mandel to confront the danger of his self‑medication.

Mandel’s wife, Terry, whom he has been married to since 1980, became the catalyst for his seeking professional help. She reportedly told him she could no longer tolerate watching him self‑medicate and gave him an ultimatum to seek therapy. With her support, he entered treatment and now follows a prescription regimen.

He also admits that he still manages his condition with ongoing therapy sessions.

## What People Are Saying

Mandel openly cited his fear of low moods during the pandemic. He told Kotb, “I have such a fear of those lows because they’re incredibly painful and hard to navigate,” adding that his life revolves around maintaining balance. “My life consists of trying to balance up here,” he said, gesturing toward his head.

In a separate interview in May 2020, Mandel admitted that he was already on medication and coping with the pandemic’s mental strain. He told Page Six, “I’m on medication,” adding that he was “moving my therapist into a whole new tax bracket on the phone.” The comment reflects how his therapy had become an ongoing focus during lockdown.

Despite his candid admissions, Mandel has emphasized that he now follows professional guidance. He says he is sober and that his wife’s intervention was crucial. “My wife just went, ‘I can’t do this.

This is really tiring. Go talk to somebody,'” he recalled, underscoring the importance of external support.

## What Happens Next

, he continues to take prescription medication and attend therapy sessions regularly. His wife remains a key source of encouragement, and he has publicly thanked her for pushing him toward help. No further legal or medical proceedings are reported.

Mandel’s story highlights how the pandemic amplified mental health struggles for many, underscoring the need for ongoing support and treatment.