Charlie Sheen pens emotional open letter after confirming HIV diagnosis

Opening up: Charlie Sheen has penned an open letter on NBC's website
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Jennifer Ruby17 November 2015
The Weekender

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Charlie Sheen has written an open letter after confirming that he is HIV positive.

The actor, who revealed that he is suffering from the disease during an interview on NBC’s Today show, has opened up about his emotional turmoil following hisdiagnosis.

In the letter, published on the network’s website, Sheen, 50, describes how he went on a ‘suicide run’ of alcohol abuse and drinking when he discovered his condition.

He wrote: “Roughly four years ago, I suddenly found myself in the throws of a seismic and debilitating three-day cluster-migraine-like headache.

Charlie Sheen Through The Years

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“I was emergently hospitalized with what I believed to be a brain tumor or perhaps some unknown pathology. I was partially correct.

“Following a battery of endless tests, that included a hideous spinal tap, it was sadly and shockingly revealed to me that I was, in fact, positive for HIV.”

The star continued: “The news was a "mule kick" to my soul.

“Those impossible words I absorbed and then tried to convince myself, that I was stuck, suspended, or even stranded inside some kind of alternate reality or nightmare, were to the absolute contrary.

“I was awake. It was true… reality.”

Describing his state of mind following his diagnosis, Sheen continued: “The personal disbelief, karmic confusion, shame and anger lead to a temporary yet abysmal descent into profound substance abuse and fathomless drinking.

“It was a suicide run. Problem was, I'd forgotten that I'm too tough for such a cowardly departure.”

Ending on a positive note, Sheen admitted that he hoped being open about his condition would be a positive thing.

“In conclusion, I accept this condition not as a curse or scourge, but rather as an opportunity and a challenge,” he said.

“An opportunity to help others. A challenge to better myself.”

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