Eric Kohler, VFX Producer Who Went Missing, Admits: 'I'm an Addict'

VFX producer Eric Kohler, who went missing last month and was found alive in Mexico more than a week later, has spoken out for the first time since his disappearance.

In a lengthy Facebook post Sunday, Kohler explained the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and called himself “an addict.”

“My name is Eric Kohler and I am an addict,” reads the post. “Through a state of exhaustion fueled by the stress and high expectations that were put on me, and the life I chose, my addiction escalated and I mentally snapped. This emotional and physical breakdown caused me to desert the people I care for and most importantly care for me.”

Also Read: LA Movie Producer Missing Since Before Thanksgiving (Video)

Kohler disappeared from a job at Hydraulx visual effects in Gardena, Calif., on Nov. 24. After a well-publicized search, he was found safe in La Paz, Mexico, on Dec. 4. No details of his disappearance or re-surfacing were offered.

The VFX producer’s credits include “The Revenant,” “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” “San Andreas” and “The Grand Budapest Hotel.”

Kohler said in his post that he’s now seeking treatment in a rehab facility and he wanted to speak out about what happened because he can see more clearly. He said that the “miracle” of his situation is how many people have reached out to offer help.

Also Read: Missing Movie Producer Eric Kohler's Mother Says He 'Would Never Just Throw It Away' (Video)

“I believe most people would find it easiest to ignore or dodge the questions and speculations, but I’ve decided that instead of bottling up my past destruction, I want to use my story as an example of a positive outcome,” Kohler said.

“Those of you struggling and thinking no one cares, reach out to those around you. You will be pleasantly surprised to realize how much we, as humans, are capable of. I unfortunately had to figure this out in the hardest and most selfish way.”

Read Kohler’s full post here.

Lamar Odom and 13 Other Sports Stars Who Battled Addiction (Photos)

Michael Phelps
The Olympic swimmer got DUIs in 2004 and again in 2014, resulting in a suspension from U.S/ Swimming. Kellogs also dropped Phelps as a spokesperson in 2009 when photos leaked of him apparently smoking marijuana from a bong.
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Darryl Strawberry
The former Mets, Dodgers and Yankees slugger was suspended three times by the MLB for substance abuse, which resulted in a number of arrests and visits to rehab.
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Diego Maradona
The Argentinian soccer legend battled cocaine addiction from the mid-80s to 2004. After being rushed to the hospital in 2000 with heart problems, he was treated for alcohol-related hepatitis.
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Josh Hamilton
Texas Rangers outfielder started experimenting with drugs in 2001. He then got clean after being confronted by his grandmother, but relapsed in 2009, 2012 and most recently, in Feb. 2015.
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Ricky Williams
The New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins player began taking marijuana to ease social anxiety disorder, prompting a surprise retirement from the NFL in 2004. He later returned but failed at least two subsequent drug tests after being reinstated.
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Lawrence Taylor
New York Giants linebacker tested positive for cocaine in 1987. He quit shortly after but relapsed upon retirement.
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Donte Stallworth
The Cleveland Browns wide receiver was charged with DUI manslaughter after he struck and killed a pedestrian while driving his car in March 2009. Following a plea deal, he received a sentence of 30 days in the county jail and 8 years probation.
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Charles Barkley
The NBA star turned TNT analyst was arrested in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2008 for DUI after running a stop sign. According to the police report, Barkley was in a hurry to receive oral sex from his female passenger. He spent three days in jail and entered an alcohol treatment program.
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Michael Irvin
In March 1996, the Dallas Cowboys wide receiver was arrested on charges of cocaine possession when police found him lying on the floor covered in cocaine with multiple strippers. Irvin pled no contest to the charges and the NFL suspended him for five games.
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Nate Newton
Nate Newton made six Pro Bowls in the NFL before being busted for marijuana, earning him two-and-a-half years in a federal prison.
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Todd Marinovich
The quarterback was busted for cocaine at USC before being drafted by the NFL. While playing for the Oakland Raiders, he began taking LSD during games. After numerous NFL suspensions, he ended up at the Canadian Football League, where he started with heroin. At one point Marinovich severely cut his hand with a crack pipe during halftime.
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Len Bias
Bias, an All-American college basketball forward at the University of Maryland, was selected by the Boston Celtics as the second overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft. He died two days later from cardiac arrhythmia induced by a cocaine overdose at age 22.
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Dock Ellis
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Ellis threw a no-hitter on June 12, 1970, claiming to have done it under the influence of LSD. He also had a substance abuse problem, and acknowledged after his retirement that he never pitched without the use of drugs.
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