Steven Tyler Opens Up About Past Drug Use & The 'High' Of 'American Idol'

Steven Tyler is experiencing a comeback of sorts due to his new gig as "American Idol" judge (while keeping show's producers ready to jump on the censor button due to his wild, say-anything critique approach!) - and the Aerosmith frontman says he's loving every second of his career's explosive resurgence.

Steven, who has admittedly battled with substance abuse in the past, now proudly boasts a year-and-a-half of sobriety, according to People -- a feat he partially credits to the excitement of his reality show gig."I don't snort J. Lo either, though I do breathe her in," he added of his fellow "Idol" judge, Jennifer Lopez.

Left up to my own devices, I probably would have been dead several times over," he told People.In addition to serving as a Season 10 "Idol" judge, Steven has penned a memoir, "Does the Noise in My Head Bother You?" which is slated for release on May 3.

The 63-year-old artist will also appear in an interview on NBC's "Dateline" with Matt Lauer on Sunday at 7 PM.Catch the full Rolling Stone and People interviews with Steven when both magazines hit newsstands on Friday.