(Image Source: BuzzFeed)

BY CHRISTINA HONAN

ANCHOR EMILY SPAIN

According to his soon-to-be-released memoir, the life of former Saturday Night Live funny man Darrell Hammond is no laughing matter. Some of the book’s major themes? Decades of drug and alcohol abuse.

Hammond broke records as Saturday Night Live’s longest running cast member, famous for many spot-on impressions like Trump, Clinton, and Cheney, but excerpts from his book reveal what went on behind the scenes:

"I kept a pint of Remy in my desk at work. The drinking calmed my nerves and quieted the disturbing images that sprang into my head ... If drinking didn't work, I cut myself."

The most shocking revelations? Crack addiction and once leaving NBC in a straitjacket. Entertainment Weekly has more:

“As recently as 2009, Hammond relapsed after having been to rehab ... He also talks about time spent in a crack house in Harlem. In 1998, Hammond was escorted by the police out of the NBC infirmary to the hospital in a straightjacket. ‘My wife came but I didn’t recognize her,’ he wrote.”

The news left many in the media stunned. One blogger for Pop Blend writes:

“It all sounds like some wild Hunter S. Thompson nonsense, which is a complete contrast to the amazing consistency he showed while on the air.”

While surprising to some - others see it as another example of the ‘sad clown’ cliche. Take for example - John Beluschi, Chris Farley - and Owen Wilson - all famous comedians who struggled with addiction. Over the years, reporters and doctors alike have tried to find the link between comedy and depression.

“One theory is that humour is developed in response to depression, and that it works as a coping mechanism.”

“[Humor can] motivate the comic to make people laugh in order to gain their acceptance, as well as drive the comic to reveal the absurdity of life to make sense of their own lives.” Psychology Today:

“‘Comedians have this genius brain,’... But they are so sensitive to other people ... 75% of the comedians I know, something is missing inside them. Something is not filled. They try to overcome it by going on the stage and making people laugh.’” TIME:

According to The New York Post, copies of Hammond’s new book were sent over to “SNL,” but there’s been no reaction from former colleagues. But don’t expect any drama. The comedian told Page Six: 

“I don’t have anything bad to say about anyone there. They all really went above and beyond the call for me.”

According to E! Online, the star sought treatment again and is clean an sober, though it is unclear for how long. His memoir will be released next month.