'I was scared of everything': Pete Wentz reveals how divorce from Ashlee Simpson left him paranoid and abusing prescription drugs

By Daily Mail Reporter

Published: | Updated:


Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz has revealed how his divorce from Ashlee Simpson left him paranoid and addicted to prescription drugs.

The 33-year-old songwriter and bassist said the band's 2009 hiatus contributed to increased drug use that he had curtailed after the 2008 birth of his son Bronx with Ashlee.

His abuse of prescription pills Xanax and Klonopin resumed after the hiatus and the ensuing collapse of marriage lead to bouts of paranoia.

Candid interview: Pete Wentz, shown on Wednesday with girlfriend Meagan Camper, recently opened up about his past drug abuse and fallout from his high-profile divorce from Ashlee Simpson

Candid interview: Pete Wentz, shown on Wednesday with girlfriend Meagan Camper, recently opened up about his past drug abuse and fallout from his high-profile divorce from Ashlee Simpson

'I was probably physically and mentally addicted. It started from insomnia and anxiety from flying, then it spiraled,' he told Rolling Stone in its latest issue.

Ashlee filed for divorce in February 2011 and Pete said his life took an even more downward turn.

'I felt like a loser already,' he said. 'I'd basically gone from being the guy in Fall Out Boy to being the guy, who, like, hangs out all day. I didn't see how I'd ever come out on the other side.'

Better place: Pete and Meagan enjoyed lunch on Monday in Los Angeles

Better place: Pete and Meagan enjoyed lunch on Monday in Los Angeles

The divorce also began to take a major psychological toll on him.

'I was scared of everything. I thought there were always people listening to me. Like, I had my house searched for bugs. It was crazy.'

Pete said therapy and his devotion to four-year-old Bronx helped him straighten out.

Strong couple: Pete and Wentz have been dating since his 2011 divorce from Ashlee Simpson

Strong couple: Pete and Wentz have been dating since his 2011 divorce from Ashlee Simpson

'You’re up in the morning, and you have to really be there,' he said. 'It’s not like getting up for a radio interview. In some ways, that was superhelpful for my soul.'

Pete has been in a relationship with model Meagan Camper, 24, since his divorce from Ashlee.

The music label owner and rock star shares joint custody of Bronx with his ex-wife. 

Since Fall Out Boy went on hiatus, Pete has kept busy with a new record label, Decaydance Records, which has signed bands such as Panic! at the Disco and Gym Class Heroes.

Family time: Pete and Ashlee shown spending some time with their son Bronx in May 2011 in Los Angeles

Family time: Pete and Ashlee shown spending some time with their son Bronx in May 2011 in Los Angeles





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