Conditions & Care
Lil Nas X Gets Real About Rehab, Therapy And His Bipolar Diagnosis
By TylerChris Daniels • Aug 2, 2026
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Diana Rangaves, PharmD, RPH
(Amy Sussman/WireImage)
In June 2026, Lil Nas X gave fans an update they had waited months to hear. The Grammy-winning rapper, born Montero Lamar Hill, revealed that he had spent a few months in rehab and received a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. In a candid Instagram video posted June 17, he said he now works with a therapist and a psychiatrist and is “doing much better.”
His openness matters. Mental illness still carries heavy stigma, especially in Black and LGBTQ+ communities, where an accurate diagnosis can take years. Like other stars who have shared their health journeys, his story can help others feel less alone
What is Lil Nas X being treated for?
Lil Nas X is being treated for bipolar disorder, which he learned he had after his August 2025 arrest. He shared that he had suspected it for years but resisted the label. He did not want to take medication, he said, or have people think differently of him. His path to treatment was not a straight line
At the time, police arrested him after an incident in Los Angeles. Prosecutors charged him with four felonies, including battery with injury on a police officer, and he pleaded not guilty. His attorney later told the court that he checked himself into an inpatient treatment program after the arrest
In April 2026, a Los Angeles judge granted him a mental health diversion program and found the incident stemmed from his since-diagnosed bipolar disorder. Under that agreement, the court will dismiss his charges if he completes treatment, obeys all laws and avoids weapons or threats of violence for two years. By June 2026, he told fans he was back home and healing
What does bipolar feel like?
Bipolar disorder causes clear shifts in mood, energy, activity and concentration, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. These shifts go well beyond ordinary ups and downs. During a manic or hypomanic episode, a person may feel euphoric, invincible or intensely irritable. The Mayo Clinic notes that energy surges, the need for sleep drops and thoughts can race. Some people talk rapidly, make poor decisions or go on buying sprees
Depressive episodes swing the other way. They can bring deep sadness, exhaustion, and a loss of interest in things once enjoyed. Between episodes, some people have long stretches of emotional stability
Race does not change how the illness shows up. Dr. Kaja Johnson McMaster, a licensed clinical psychologist in Baltimore, told Medical News Today that bipolar symptoms are broadly similar across racial groups. Even so, she says, research shows “pretty stark differences in the way having the disorder plays out.” Those differences come down largely to who gets diagnosed and treated
Bipolar disorder can begin at any age, though Mayo Clinic reports that doctors usually diagnose it in the teenage years or early 20s. Warning signs include dramatic mood swings, long stretches with little sleep, racing thoughts or periods of deep hopelessness
If any of that sounds familiar, talk to a doctor or mental health professional. You can also call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline anytime. The SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP also offers free, confidential support and referrals. Reaching out early is a sign of strength, not weakness
What rehab usually provides
When people hear “rehab,” they often think only of substance use. In reality, residential and inpatient programs also treat mental health conditions like bipolar disorder. As SAMHSA explains, inpatient and residential care means living at a facility and receiving supervised treatment. That structure can steady someone when symptoms feel overwhelming. Length of stay varies widely and depends on how a person responds
Most programs share a core set of services. A thorough assessment and accurate diagnosis usually come first. From there, care often includes medication management, such as the mood stabilizers that Mayo Clinic lists among standard bipolar treatments. Individual therapy and group therapy form the backbone of most days. Many programs also add skills training, daily structure and family support. Before discharge, a strong program develops an aftercare plan to maintain progress at home
What to expect
The first days often focus on stabilization. Staff monitor symptoms, adjust medication and help you settle into a routine. As the weeks go on, therapy digs into deeper work, and that part can feel hard. Facing painful experiences is uncomfortable, yet it is where much of the healing happens. Progress also rarely follows a straight line. Many people hit a rough patch that feels like backsliding, which is a normal part of recovery. The goal is not a quick fix. It is enough stability and skill to thrive once you return home.
Limitations
Dr. Diana Rangaves, PharmD, tells Blavity Health, “The increased focus on mental health transforms healthcare, workplaces and daily life. Mental well-being is becoming a top priority with growing awareness, digital advancements and supportive policies. However, challenges such as stigma, accessibility, and workplace gaps must be addressed to ensure care reaches everyone in need. As society evolves, prioritizing it will lead to healthier, more productive communities.”
Rehab is powerful, but it is not right for every situation. Not every program fits every person, either
Residential care is intensive and costly, and many people do better with outpatient options like weekly therapy or an intensive outpatient program. A program may also be the wrong fit if it lacks experience with your specific needs. Cultural competence matters here, too. Because reports indicate that clinicians more often misdiagnose Black patients with schizophrenia rather than bipolar disorder, finding a provider who listens and understands your background can change the outcome
Dr. Leesha Ellis-Cox, a psychiatrist, told the American Journal of Managed Care that only about 2% of psychiatrists identify as African American, even though roughly 14% of the US population does. That makes the search harder than it should be. So if you are not improving, or a crisis feels unmanageable, seek a higher level of care or a second opinion right away
Bottom line
Lil Nas X is opening up about his bipolar disorder, and his honesty about rehab and recovery is helping chip away at mental health stigma. Bipolar disorder is treatable, and its symptoms look broadly similar across racial groups, even though Black Americans too often go misdiagnosed and underserved. With the right diagnosis, therapy and support, people living with bipolar disorder can and do lead full, stable lives
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hardest part of rehab?
For many people, the hardest part is the emotional work of confronting painful experiences and then keeping that progress going after returning home
How long are most people in rehab?
There is no standard length. Stays can range from a couple of weeks to several months, depending on the person’s needs, insurance coverage and response to treatment
Citations
Paul L. Lil Nas X Returns With Candid Video About Therapy, Rehab, Healing. Rolling Stone. Published June 17, 2026. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/lil-nas-x-returns-candid-video-therapy-rehab-healing-1235579416/
National Institute of Mental Health. Bipolar Disorder. NIMH. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder
Mayo Clinic. Bipolar disorder: Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355955
Mayo Clinic. Bipolar disorder: Diagnosis and treatment. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355961
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Types of Treatment. SAMHSA. https://www.samhsa.gov/find-support/learn-about-treatment/types-of-treatment
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. National Helpline. SAMHSA. https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/national-helpline
Akinhanmi MO, et al. Racial disparities in bipolar disorder treatment and research: a call to action. Bipolar Disorders. Published 2018. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6175457/
Medical News Today. Bipolar disorder and race: Disparities in diagnosis and treatment (featuring Dr. Kaja Johnson McMaster, PhD). Medical News Today. Published 2021. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/race-and-bipolar-disorder
American Journal of Managed Care. Dr Leesha Ellis-Cox Confronts Racial Bias, Diagnosis Disparities in Mental Health Care. AJMC. Published February 2024. https://www.ajmc.com/view/dr-leesha-ellis-cox-confronts-racial-bias-diagnosis-disparities-in-mental-health-care
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