A controversial self-help guru infamous for railing against political correctness and claiming the “masculine spirit is under assault” is in rehab for an addiction to prescription painkillers.

Right-wing psychologist Jordan Peterson is recovering in Russia after his daughter Mikhaila took him there after several failed rehab stints in North America that reportedly drove him to contemplate suicide.

In a video posted online, Mikhaila Peterson said her father began taking benzodiazepines years ago after a medical episode and after her mother was diagnosed with terminal kidney cancer last year, Mr Peterson’s dose was increased and led to his crippling addiction.

She said she took him to Russia for the “incredibly gruelling” detox and he was initially placed in an eight-day coma as he fought pneumonia.

“He nearly died several times,” Ms Peterson, who has achieved her own notoriety for spruiking a diet of beef, salt and water to fight depression and arthritis, said. “We are extremely lucky and grateful that he is alive.”

Camera Icon Mikhaila Peterson. Credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach / Sportsfile for Web Summit via Getty Images

Mr Peterson, whose 2018 book 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos was an international bestseller, is out of intensive care but has suffered physiological and neurological damage so is unable to type or walk unaided.

The Canadian is a contentious figure who has become a vocal opponent of transgender rights, political correctness and any movement that protects the environment. The 57-year-old has also labelled Islamophobia a “propagandist” term.

Mr Peterson is popular with right-wing conservatives and his supporters, who often hurl abuse and threats at those who oppose him, hold him up as an intellecutal hero of the alt-right movement.

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