Glenn Beck: Country's Predicament is Like Getting Over an Addiction

Talk show host Glenn Beck

/ CBS

In an upcoming profile in the New York Times magazine, Fox News talk show host Glenn Beck opens up about his history with addiction, depression and faith - and how he applies the lessons he learned on the road to recovery to the country as a whole.

"I think what the country is going through right now is, in a way, what I went through with my alcoholism," he told Times reporter Mark Leibovich. "You can either live or die. You have a choice."

Beck, who started his career as a radio talk show host, began his tenure at Fox News the day before President Obama's inauguration in January 2009. Now, the conservative commentator is one of the most-watched presences on cable news, attracting an average of two million viewers a day and raking in millions of dollars a year by way of his television and radio shows, speaking engagements, magazine sales, and merchandising.

"I have not prepared my whole life to be here. I prepared my whole life to be in a back alley," said Beck of his commercial success.

Referring to himself as a "recovering dirtbag," Beck continued: "I am as close today to a complete and total collapse as I was on the first day of my recovery."

Beck spoke about troubled years during his youth, and the ensuing road of alcohol abuse and suicidal thoughts that eventually led him to the Mormon faith. "You get to a place where you disgust yourself... Where you realize what a weak, pathetic and despicable person you have become," Beck said. "Every day I prayed for the strength to be able to drive my car at 70 m.p.h. into [a nearby] bridge abutment."

By the mid-nineties, Beck said he had reached a "moment of recognition" that inspired him to change his life - and in 1998 he met a woman, Tania, now his wife, who wouldn't marry him unless he to joined her in finding a religion.

"You need people to be able to reach out and connect and say, 'Let me help hold you when you're stumbling, and you hold me when I'm stumbling, because what we're going through now is a storm of confusion,'" Beck said.

These days, Beck has been known to tout his faith as "the most important thing" in his life, and frequently brings God into the conversation on his show -- a tactic which may or may not have endeared him to some of his colleagues at Fox News, many of whom have complained that he is "embarrassing" to the network, according to Leibovich. (Last month, Beck headlined a "Restoring Honor" rally in Washington, which called on supporters to restore traditional American values, and which frequently invoked references to God.)

The story also reports that Beck's show is unpopular among potential advertisers.

American economic collapse is also a common theme on Beck's show - and he has been known to reference a "bunker" where he will retreat when the country reaches a tipping point. The bunker, Beck admits to the Times, does not exist. (Though, per practices associated with tenets of the Mormon faith, he does store large quantities of food on reserve.)

"Am I actively engaged in survival training?" Beck asked. "No. Should I be? Maybe."

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Lucy Madison is a political reporter for CBSNews.com. You can read more of her posts here. Follow Hotsheet on Facebook and Twitter.

[palmflood]

Those who have or will reach rock bottom are dangerous to the rest of us who have no intention or need to do so.

[palmflood]

Do not allow the sinking to drag you down also. You can try to help them with an extended hand, but don't go down with them into the abyss.

[thanksgreed]

This man has serious mental health issues

[drdarby]

Mental issues and ignorance sounds like every member of the Democratic party and that mental illness of liberalism. You are group thinkers that have never been thought to think for yourselves. Idiots on a grand scale

[Bisk1]

drdarby, soooo where do you put Beck, especially since he's said it himself ?? or you'd rather assume it's every Dem that has had mental issues ?? Dumb Dumb Repugs !!

[Molly-Pchr]

LOL LOL! Remarkable how some who profess to have so much wisdom can't even spell! LOL.

[tristaz]

This man and his followers is the reason that Alex Steere wrote Ignorance By Choice. He is such the typical right winged conservative who dose not know the facts or does not care what the facts are and chooses to make up his own. Very disturbing. He should have no platform for his misinformation.

[jimpwhite]

Stopping the drinking is only the first part-then comes the real work, and a higher power is not thy self. First the addiction then the social-pscy behaviors. If you had a sponser, he'd tell you to sit your but down, take the cotton outta your ears and put it in your month.

D.e.n.i.a.l is the last stage to meet Mr. Buck as reflective of"Did'nt even no I am Lieing." Too many distressed vets on the real warrior path to recovery need truths today, not the 1/2 truths....so keep coming back, get a direct & concise sponser, a "Higher-Power"... And keep coming back...there are a few real chairs always awaiting. VR "The Mens Sponsor/Mentor Bde".

[stn_sage]

Please, CBS! Spare us from the ravings of this idiot and his scriptors 'behind the curtain'!!

[mikelpond]

True, and the addiction we need to lose: lies about having schools, roads, bridges, emergency rooms and tax cuts all at the same time. Lies about religious freedom applying to some but not others, and lies about one group being arbitures of the constitution, Mr Beck!

[sfopine]

You speak the truth Mike. Couldn't have worded it better myself. Amen brother!

[tsigili]

More like followers of a false messiah, who have finally come to terms with reality.

[retiredgustav]

Once an alcoholic always an alcoholic. They still suffer from an addictive personality.

[HAZELET]

If you have experience in this matter then you can "talk".