Deftones guitarist Stephen Carpenter has shared his personal struggles with Type 2 diabetes in a recent interview.

The musician unknowingly endured the condition for several years before receiving a diagnosis around 2024.

In conversation with Premier Guitar, Carpenter reflected on how the disease impacted him physically and mentally during the writing and recording of Deftones' latest album.

He revealed that he had been experiencing poor diet and exercise habits, which worsened over time.

"I had no clue what I was going through," Carpenter admitted.

"I'd just been so out of it for the past four or five years." Carpenter detailed his struggles while recording guitar tracks for the album.

"During the whole writing process, I was just tired, but I was not connecting how I felt to what I was doing," he said.

He also spoke about experiencing daily pain in his right arm, which made it difficult to move.

Carpenters' health struggles had been misattributed to aging, and he admits to self-medicating in an effort to cope.

However, with the help of medical professionals and lifestyle adjustments, Carpenter says he now feels more in control.

He credits his bandmates for their support during this challenging time, stating that "their positive energy really carried us through the making of the album." Carpenter also shared a lighter moment from his experiences with Type 2 diabetes.

During an MRI, he joked about wanting to listen to the sounds of the machine instead of music.

His comments offer a poignant perspective on coping with chronic illness while maintaining creativity.