'I was a broken man': Elton John celebrates nearly three decades of sobriety

Not any more. The musician has not been "oiled like a diesel train" for nearly three decades.

John, 72, posted an emotional celebration of his 29 years of sobriety on Twitter and Instagram, letting his fans know that he was still standing after all these years.

John, who is enjoying a resurgence with his "Rocketman" biopic and Disney's remake of "The Lion King," posted a photo of his recovery coin on social media.

"Twenty-nine years ago today, I was a broken man. I finally summoned up the courage to say three words that would change my life: 'I need help.' Thank-you to all the selfless people who have helped me on my journey through sobriety. I am eternally grateful," John wrote on social media.

The coin had the motto of Alcoholics Anonymous -- "Unity, Service, and Recovery" -- and one of the organization's common sayings, "To thine own self be true," People reported.

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight in May, John talked about his addictions, including an overdose shortly before his historic concert at Dodger Stadium in 1975.

"Two days before Dodger Stadium, I was having my stomach pumped," John told ET. "I took an overdose and there I was, two days later, at Dodger Stadium with Cary Grant and Billie Jean King having the time of my life."

"You can say that I'm resilient and that's one thing. I'm resilient. I wasn't gonna pass by the opportunity of playing that great stadium for two days. ... It was (the) highlight of my career to play Dodger Stadium, (are) you kidding me! But I was not mentally well before that."

John resumes his farewell tour in September. He served as an executive producer for "Rocketman," which has made $90 million in the United States since it opened May 31, the Los Angeles Times reported. He also wrote a new song for the 2019 version of "The Lion King," called "Never Too Late."

John's former struggles with alcohol and drugs have been documented through the years, most recently in "Rocketman."

But for 29 years, John has avoided the urge to "sink a little drink."