Jax Taylor’s Addiction Tackled on ‘Taste of Taylor’

Jax Taylor—the man, the myth, and the reality TV menace—has dropped a bombshell that wasn’t exactly shocking—but his admission of it? Well, that part was surprising. 

Jax recently appeared on Alex Baskin’s Hot Mic podcast and finally admitted that he has struggled with cocaine addiction for years. “I think the audience has known for years,” he said, revealing he is now 83 days sober—not just from coke, but also alcohol, because, in his own words, “they kinda go hand in hand.”

On Taste of Taylor, Taylor Strecker discussed Jax’s long-suspected battle with addiction. And not in a gossipy “did you hear?” way, but in a raw, real, and much-needed discussion about addiction, honesty, and—yes—even redemption.

Jax Taylor: ‘Taste of Taylor’s Take on Addiction

Taylor Strecker’s Take

If you’ve ever watched Vanderpump Rules (or been within a 10-foot radius of anyone who does), you’re familiar with Jax’s reputation: womanizer, manipulator, cheater, and walking red flag. But one thing that always lingered in the background, whispered about but never fully acknowledged, was his substance use.

Over on Taste of Taylor, Taylor Strecker had thoughts. And, girl, same. While she made it clear that she’s all for people getting help and bettering themselves, she also couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at the timing.

“I just have for so long known Jax to be so fucking manipulative,” she said. And look, her skepticism is understandable. Is this sobriety a genuine change? Or is it another PR play ahead of The Valley’s second season?

That said, Taylor did acknowledge that regardless of whether Jax has a bigger plan, addiction is addiction, and getting clean is always a win. “Good luck to you, Jax. For real. No tongue in cheek. For real, real,” she said.

Jax Taylor: The Reality TV Villain You Love to Hate (But Should Still Root For)

Jax built his reality TV career on chaos. He cheated on Stassi Schroeder (multiple times), stole sunglasses (remember that whole debacle?), And, let’s not forget, he got fired from Vanderpump Rules after making racially insensitive comments.

And yet, here we are, talking about his addiction in a way that, for once, is serious and compassionate. Because, as we should all know by now, addiction is not a moral failing. It’s a disease. And no matter how villainous someone may be on reality TV, they still deserve support when trying to get better.

Even Taylor Strecker, skeptical as she was, admitted that this was a huge step for Jax. “I wasn’t shocked to find this information out, but I was shocked to hear him admit it,” she said. Jax admitting to something instead of gaslighting everyone around him? Growth.

The Bigger Picture: Reality TV, Sobriety, and Redemption

Jax isn’t the first reality star to battle addiction, and he certainly won’t be the last. Newfound fame, a sudden influx of money, and an endless supply of bottle-service nights create the perfect storm for substance abuse. We’ve seen it with The Real Housewives, The Bachelor franchise, and countless other Bravo and TLC-lebrities.

But what happens when the cameras stop rolling? Sobriety is a long, difficult road, and while Jax has made it 83 days, there’s still a long way to go. What matters now is what he does next. Is he committed to this journey, or is this another attempt to rewrite his narrative?

Taylor Strecker put it best: “I just hope Jax is okay.” Because at the end of the day, beyond the reality TV drama, the bad decisions, and the “Jax being Jax” antics, he’s a person struggling with addiction—a struggle that’s worth taking seriously.

It’s Okay Not To Be Okay

If Jax’s story hits close to home, help is out there. Addiction isn’t something anyone should have to face alone.

If you or someone you love is struggling, resources like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) helpline are available. Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for free, confidential support 24/7.

Because everyone deserves a shot at recovery, whether they’re in the spotlight or not.