How many of these did you know were once in addiction? Alcoholism does not discriminate based on race, economic status, age, religious beliefs, education, or gender. There is still a stigma that alcoholics are somehow less than others, which is not valid. Those with successful jobs and clean records are not exempt. The celebrities in recovery below are living proof of this, as am I.
Robert Downey Jr.
The actor says he used drugs before being a teenager and spent most of his early career under their influence. He had several high-profile arrests in the late 1990s and early 2000s while misusing alcohol, cocaine, and heroin and spent time in a California prison and a state-run rehab facility. In 2002, he announced that he was recovered. Marvel 2008 movie Iron Man revived his stalled career.
Demi Lovato
She was just a 17-year-old actress on family-friendly TV when she says she first used cocaine. As her singing career took off, so did her problems with drugs and alcohol. In 2010, she first sought treatment for addiction, along with mental health issues, including bipolar and eating disorders. She has addressed her ongoing recovery in interviews, on social media, and in her music. Don’t we love that she is sober and proud?
Elton John
Last year (2020) for many was a terrible year living through the pandemic, but for Elton John, it was the year that he celebrated 30 years of sobriety. He tweeted. If I hadn’t finally taken the big step of asking for help 30 years ago, I’d be dead. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the people who have inspired and supported me along the way. Reflecting on the most magical day, having celebrated my 30th Sobriety Birthday. So many lovely cards, flowers and chips from my sons, David, friends in the Program, staff at the office and in our homes. I’m truly a blessed man. I was fortunate enough to watch Elton in Concert in 2019 at the Brisbane entertainment centre and felt so proud when he urged the crowd to seek help if anyone was suffering from alcoholism. It was a memorialising occasion.
Drew Barrymore
She very famously made headlines in 1989 by being admitted to rehab at just 13 and announcing she was an addict. From a famous and famously disturbed acting family, she was a wee 6-year-old when the movie E.T. launched her career. She says she started drinking when she was just nine years old and quickly moved on to marijuana and cocaine. Now let me tell you, I have heard many alcoholics share in my nine years of sobriety, but I cannot say I have listened to many alcoholics say they started as young as 9. She spent her teenage years trying to overcome her reputation and has since enjoyed success as an actress and producer. Inspiring beyond words, Drew, we salute you.
Daniel Radcliffe
The star of the Harry Potter fame is another young actor for whom sudden wealth and fame brought personal problems. He says he drank a lot during the filming of the last three Potter films, Harry Potter and the order of Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It was then, he finally realized it was something he couldn’t control. He says he quit after the last movie winded up and continues to work daily on his recovery. Who would have known that Harry potter was struggling with alcoholism?
Bradley Cooper
He is one of the sexiest actors on the big screen, He’s been nominated for numerous Academy Awards, but the actor went through some troublesome times on his way to success. He says years of drug and alcohol misuse threatened to ruin his life, and in 2004 at the age of 29, he decided to stop. He’s since become one of Hollywood’s most famous leading men. Bradley Cooper couldn’t avoid remembering his darker days while making A star is born. It’s that past that Cooper now says helped inform him to play Jackson. Getting help with Alcoholism and getting sober is made to look sexy by Brad.
Been inspired by these famous faces? Start your journey into recovery today!
