The Weeknd: 'Drugs Were a Crutch for Me'

The Weeknd opened up about his once-"heavy" drug use in an interview with The Guardian on Saturday december 3, 2016.
Reflecting on the early days of his career, the two-time Grammy winner, 26, said that he often turned to destructive vices when he hit the recording studio. "When I had nothing to do but make music, it was very heavy," he told the British newspaper of his drug use. "Drugs were a crutch for me. There were songs on my first record [House of Balloons] that were seven minutes long, rambling — whatever thoughts I was having when I was under the influence at the time."

"I can't see myself doing that now," The Weeknd (born Abel Tesfaye) explained, before admitting that he still uses drugs recreationally when he's looking for inspiration for his music.
"I'll be completely honest with you. The past couple of albums, I do get back to that," he said. "Even on this new album [Starboy ]. You have writer's block. And sometimes you're like, 'I can't do this sober.'"