Alice Cooper has revealed in his forthcoming memoir, Devil on My Shoulder (releasing 6 October), that crack cocaine nearly destroyed his life in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The legendary shock rocker was initially deceived into believing the drug was not addictive and used it heavily after completing rehabilitation for alcohol abuse. Cooper admits the addiction nearly ended his marriage to his wife Sheryl, though they reconciled when both acknowledged the severity of the problem.

Cooper recalled being told by someone in Los Angeles that crack (then called "base") was safe and non-addictive—a common misconception at the time. He emphasised that crack proved to be "the most addictive drug there is, by far" and consumed him entirely during this period. Now aged 78 and sober for more than four decades, Cooper continues to tour extensively, with a North American tour launching next month and planned collaborative performances with magician Criss Angel in Las Vegas.