Joshua Bassett has revealed he “nearly killed himself” during a secret ketamine addiction that followed his near-fatal health crisis in 2021.
The former High School Musical: The Musical: The Series star opened up about his struggles in his new memoir Rookie: My Public, Private, and Secret Life, admitting he became dependent on drugs after suffering septic shock and heart failure.
Speaking on The Zach Sang Show, the 25-year-old said he would use “whatever was the most effective in that moment at putting me at ease” as he spiralled into addiction.
Bassett revealed in the memoir that he was “consuming six baggies of ketamine, all by myself, every single night” and explained how his usage rapidly escalated.
“Instead of snorting a line, I’d down a whole bag in one whiff,” he wrote, adding that he would sometimes take more drugs before even using the bathroom in the morning. “It was never enough.”
Joshua Bassett released his full-length debut album in 2024. ChrisJamesRyanPhotography, Shutterstock
The singer also admitted he would set alarms to withdraw his “max daily allowance” from ATMs so he could continue buying drugs every day.
Reflecting on the addiction, Bassett explained how the cycle became increasingly dangerous over time.
“It got to a point, and I think that’s the thing about a lot of drugs is that they can be fun and enjoyable for a little while, but … what happens is you have a good time and then now you’re at a deficit, a dopamine deficit,” he said.
“So now you need a little bit more, but then your tolerance goes up. So when you’re at the next deficit, you need even more… It’s a very easy one to fall into. And for me, again, it was just an escape.”
Bassett said the drug allowed him to “temporarily finally feel like I could just, like, exist” and that he “wasn’t in torment.”
The actor also spoke candidly about how he managed to hide the severity of his addiction from those around him.
“I was pretty good at hiding it. You know? I’m an actor,” he said. “I think it’s my gift and curse is that I can pretend that I’m doing well when I’m not.”
He added that addiction “thrives through isolation” and warned that “having more money than you could know what to do with” can become “a recipe for a really dangerous spiral.”
Bassett described it as “truly a miracle” that his addiction did not kill him.
“It’s truly a miracle it didn’t take my life,” he said. “It’s a miracle my life hasn’t been taken quite a few times, to be honest … You know, it’s a miracle I’m here for sure.”
The revelations come years after Bassett’s terrifying health scare in 2021, when doctors reportedly told him he had only a 30 per cent chance of survival after being hospitalised with septic shock and heart failure.
“They told me that if I had not checked into the hospital within 12 hours, I would have been found dead in my apartment,” he recalled.
According to reports, the health crisis happened just days after Olivia Rodrigo released her hit song drivers license, which sparked intense online speculation about Bassett and their rumoured relationship.
Fans reacted with an outpouring of support following the actor’s emotional confession online.
One fan, Cerina, wrote: “My dear. Wow so proud of you. I’m so sorry for the pain you’ve gone through, but so unbelievably thrilled that you’re here now sharing this. You’re going to save lives.”
Another supporter, Jaclyn, commented: “So proud of you Joshy.”
A third simply wrote: “Brave.”
