LONDON Elton John says he has been helping American rapper Eminen fight drug problems for more than a year.

John says Eminem is succeeding in his well-publicized battle against substance abuse.

John told BBC Radio Saturday that as a recovered drug abuser he is happy to help people if they want the assistance but drugs make people so cocky and arrogant that they often reject help.

Eminem has written about his substance abuse problems in the past.