16 March 2009 - Philip Anselmo, front man of metal band Pantera, spoke passionately and candidly about his music career and his history with — and the dangers of — drugs, particularly heroin, during an appearance at the Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana. When asked whether he was sober, he explained that "sober" is a "harsh" word.

"A sober person is absolutely clean of anything that is considered legally wrong or illegal," Anselmo clarified to Metal Hammer. "I smoke pot, man. Matter of fact, since my back surgery I have severe nerve damage down my left leg, and I find that marijuana actually helps that very much. I'm not saying it's completely medicinal, but it doesn't hurt that it fucking helps! I might have a few beers too, mostly on Sundays during games or if there's a big fight, but I will remind you... after three beers, if I don't take some asprin in the morning I'm going to wake up with the worst fucking hangover. So that's my half sober."