Struggles with drug use intensified following William's departure for a gap year
In a candid revelation, Prince Harry has shared the extent of his struggles with substance abuse during the period when his brother, William, was away on a gap year. According to royal historian Robert Lacey in his 2020 book, Battle of Brothers, the 15-year-old Harry faced significant emotional turmoil and turned to "excessive" drug use after William, then 18, graduated from Eton and travelled to Belize.
Lacey's account highlights that Harry’s substance issues began during William's absence in 2001, when he was reportedly left alone and began smoking marijuana heavily. It was only after a Highgrove staff member brought this to the attention of Prince Charles that Harry’s substance abuse came to light.
Harry had previously disclosed in his memoir Spare and related interviews that his early experiences with drugs started at Eton, where he earned the nickname 'Hash Harry' due to the frequent smell of marijuana from his room. His struggles escalated with the use of cocaine, magic mushrooms, and psychedelics like ayahuasca, which he sought as a form of therapy.
Reflecting on his experiences, Harry recounted how he was introduced to marijuana at Eton and how it became a significant part of his life during his brother's absence. He also shared his experiences with cocaine, describing a sense of disillusionment and a desperate desire to feel different during his teenage years.
