Priscilla Presley: Taking Pills to Adapt to Elvis’ Nocturnal Schedule

Priscilla Presley had to make a significant adjustment to her sleep schedule when she accompanied Elvis to Las Vegas at the age of 16. Elvis, known for his nocturnal hours, would stay up all night and sleep late into the afternoon. This posed a challenge for Priscilla who was used to keeping daytime hours for school. In order to adapt to Elvis’ schedule, Priscilla resorted to taking pills that he provided, despite her initial concerns.

Priscilla Adapts to Elvis’ Nocturnal Schedule

During her two-week trip to Las Vegas with Elvis, Priscilla had to learn to stay awake during the night and sleep during the day. In her book, Elvis and Me, she describes their activities during this period: “For the next two weeks, we slept during the day and played at night. If there was a show, we saw it; if there was a casino, we played it.”

Realizing that she couldn’t keep up with the schedule without assistance, Priscilla began taking the pills Elvis offered her. Despite her reservations, she felt they became essential to match his lifestyle.

The Effects of the Pills

Taking the pills had a significant impact on Priscilla. She writes, “To help me adapt to this fast-paced lifestyle and unusual hours, I would join Elvis and the others in taking amphetamines and sleeping pills. Despite whatever misgivings I had about pills, I took them. In order for me to keep up, they became essential.”

These pills also had an unexpected effect on Priscilla’s personality. She became more assertive and felt her inhibitions drop away. She admitted to liking the feeling of being in sync with Elvis and fitting into his world, even though she recognized that it was an escape from reality.

The Incident After the Las Vegas Trip

Several months after their Las Vegas trip, Priscilla joined Elvis in Memphis for Christmas at Graceland. After a long journey and a late night, Priscilla was exhausted. Elvis insisted that she take two sleeping pills to help her relax. Though she didn’t recognize the pills, she reluctantly took them.

After taking a bath, Priscilla climbed into bed and fell asleep for two days straight. Graceland employees were concerned and urged Elvis to call a doctor, but he attributed the incident to his mistake of giving her two 500 milligram Placidyls without considering their effects.

Trusting Elvis’ Knowledge

Priscilla’s concerns about Elvis’ reliance on medications started to grow. He slept for most of the day and depended on amphetamines to overcome a constant groggy state. However, whenever she raised her concerns, Elvis would reference the medical dictionaries he had read, convincing her that he knew what he was doing.

With Elvis’ assurance and insistence, Priscilla began taking pills with him on a daily basis, compromising her own integrity and viewpoint.

Seeking Help

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, don’t hesitate to seek help. In the U.S., you can contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration helpline at 1-800-662-4357.