Margera is an alcoholic, with a history of alcohol abuse since his twenties. He was frequently seen drinking and/or intoxicated on-camera in "Viva La Bam" and in behind-the-scenes footage from the "Jackass" films. In July 2009, Margera was taken to the hospital by paramedics and state troopers after a four-day alcohol binge. His drinking habits had worsened after his previous shows ended in 2007. In December 2009, he entered rehab for the first time after an intervention from his friends and family but did not complete the program and left after only four days. Following the death of Ryan Dunn in 2011, his drinking intensified even further. By his own accounts, Margera considers 2012 as the year he lost control of his drinking, after bone spurs forced him to put skating on hold, and he began binge drinking "to kill the boredom".