The rocker sought treatment in 2007 and 2011 after struggling with alcohol and pain medication addictions

Richie Sambora in Los Angeles in November 2023. Photo: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

Richie Sambora is setting the record straight on his past experiences with rehab — and how the visits had unexpected benefits.

The rocker, who celebrates his 65th birthday on Thursday, July 11, sought treatment in 2007 and 2011 after struggling with alcohol and pain medication addictions. But in a new cover story for the August issue of Guitar World, Sambora explains that he was sober both times he checked himself in for help.

“I’ve been in rehab twice, and I went sober both times. I learned a lot, and listen, I’m not bulls—ting you — you can ask — I became like a counselor to people,” he said. “I was going, ‘Hold on a minute. Let’s go see where the demons are.’”

Sambora said that while in rehab, he stayed committed to doing “the work,” and “actually enjoyed it.”

“The psychiatrists and everybody were wonderful,” he said. “I enjoy therapy.”

Richie Sambora performing in Louisville in May 2024.Daniel Boczarski/Getty

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For Sambora, it was important to note his positive experiences, as he expressed frustration with the Hulu docuseries Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story, which chronicled the history of Bon Jovi, the band Sambora joined as guitarist in the early 1980s.

“One of the things… that was reflected in the documentary [was] that people thought I was, what, a drunkard? Like I didn’t show up one day because I was high?” he said, referring to his abrupt 2013 departure from the band. “That doesn’t make any sense to anybody.”

Sambora — who co-wrote Bon Jovi hits like “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “You Give Love a Bad Name” — told Guitar World that he still writes music “every day,” despite leaving the band in order to raise his daughter Ava, 26, whom he shares with ex-wife Heather Locklear.

Richie Sambora and Ava Sambora in Cleveland in April 2018.Mike Coppola/Getty Images For The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

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“People think I stopped working since I left Bon Jovi, but I went right back to work on solo records and the music I did with [ex-girlfriend Orianthi],” he said. “I look at myself as a new artist. Now, other people might not — they relate to me for what I’ve done, and I love what I did with Bon Jovi. I’m not ever saying anything bad about that because we did a bunch of damage in this world, and we had a great time. But right now, it’s a new game.”

In recent months, Sambora has released a slew of new singles, including “I Pray,” “Livin’ Alone,” “Songs That Wrote My Life” and “Believe (In Miracles).”

In a statement, Sambora said he was at a point in life where he was “truly happy and a big part of that joy comes from writing songs and making music.”

“Everybody is loving [the new music], which makes me so happy,” he added to PEOPLE at an event in May.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.