Ex-Guns N' Roses Drummer Arraigned

A teary Steven Adler pleads not guilty to drug charges today in Los Angeles

By Josh Grossberg Aug 20, 2008 8:05 PMTags
Steven AdlerZumaPress.com

It's not so easy being Steven Adler.

The former Guns N' Roses drummer pleaded not guilty to drug charges today in Los Angeles Superior Court stemming from a bust last month at his Hollywood home.

Adler, 43, was ordered to remain in a drug-treatment facility for at least another month (much to the relief of Dr. Drew, no doubt), until a Sept. 17 preliminary hearing. The musician faces one felony charge of possession of a controlled substance, an opiate, and a misdemeanor count of being under the influence of drugs.

After Judge James Bianco remanded Adler to rehab, the rocker began crying in open court.

Adler's attorney, Barry Sands, wasn't sure why his client became so emotional.

"Basically, he was very nervous, and the judge ordered as a condition of his further bail that he remain in recovery," Sands told E! News. "He has been in recovery for more than a month, and I guess he is having a hard time."

Adler was an original member of the Guns crew. His drug habit worsened in the wake of the band's monster Appetite for Destruction success, and he was ultimately fired by Axl Rose during the Use Your Illusion sessions in 1990.

In the mid-'90s, Adler suffered a series of strokes that left him with a speech impediment.

Adler had been allowing VH1's Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew to follow him as he sought treatment for substance abuse at the Pasadena Recovery Center as part of the show's second season, which kicks off in October. No word on how his relapse will be handled on air.

Following today's hearing, the former Gunner was trying to remain positive, telling reporters, "It's a very difficult time in my life...I'm doing all right."