Anyone can become addicted to drugs or alcohol, even celebrities. Some choose to speak openly about their road to recovery. Here are five celebrities who battled their demons and now offer hope and motivation to those who are still struggling.
Bradley Cooper: I got sober at 29 years old, and you know, I’ve been sober for 19 years. I’ve been very lucky , Running Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge, July 9, 2023.
Bradley Cooper went through some particularly hard times in his youth and he turned to drugs and alcohol to manage his anxieties and insecurities. By 2004, he had reached a breaking point and even considered ending it all; that’s when he decided to take control of his life.
At age 29, he chose sobriety, a decision that dramatically changed his life. Today, he recalls how that decision was a turning point for him and how it enabled him to focus all his energy on his acting career. His story is a good example of how you can rebuild your life after years of struggling with addiction.
Cooper shared his story in several interviews, including an episode of the SmartLess podcast, where he talks openly about his past, his career and his journey toward recovery.
Demi Lovato: I think it’s important that people no longer look at mental illness as something taboo to talk about, “Be Vocal: Speak Up for Mental Health’’ initiative at the National Council for Behavioral Health’s Hill Day in Washington, D.C, October 6, 2015.
Demi Lovato started struggling with drug and alcohol addiction as well as eating disorders and bipolar disorder when she was a teenager. In 2010, she was hospitalized for mental health problems and addiction. She has always been very open about her struggles against drug abuse and eating disorders, sharing her journey on social networks and in documentaries such as Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated and Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil.
After a nearly fatal overdose in 2018, the artist posted the following statement on Instagram: “What I've learned is that this illness is not something that disappears or fades with time. It is something I must continue to overcome and have not done yet.”
Although she’s had several relapses, she continues to share her journey, helping to break the taboos around mental health issues and addiction.
Robert Downey Jr.: Job one is to get out of that cave. A lot of people do get out but don’t change. Armchair Expert, June 19, 2023.
Robert Downey Jr. is an example of resilience and His promising acting career was severely jeopardized by his drug problems, which were largely initiated by his father, who introduced him to drugs at age six.
In the 1990s, he was as well-known for his drug problems as for his talent as an actor.
He tried several times to rehabilitate himself and was finally able to break free from the addiction cycle with the support of his family. Today, he is among the most iconic Hollywood actors, proving that you can rebuild your life.
Fergie : The drugs thing, it was a hell of a lot of fun… until it wasn’t. iNews, July 17, 2020.
When she was a member of the Wild Orchid band, Fergie developed an addiction to ecstasy, which then became an addiction to methamphetamine. The singer said quitting methamphetamine was the hardest thing she’s ever done. In several interviews, including one with Oprah, Fergie shared the story of her struggle and recovery. She explained that her drug use had started destroying her personal and professional life. She got to a point where she was having psychotic episodes and thought she was being pursued by the CIA and FBI.
“At my lowest point, I was [suffering from] chemically induced psychosis and dementia. I was hallucinating on a daily basis. It took a year after getting off that drug for the chemicals in my brain to settle so that I stopped seeing things. I’d just be sitting there, seeing a random bee or bunny. ʺ
Thanks to therapy, spirituality and the support of her loved ones, Fergie was able to overcome her addiction and rebuild her life.
Eminem: I remember when I first got sober and all the shit was out of my system, I remember just being, like, really happy and everything was fucking new to me again. Paul Pod, Curtain Call 2, September 2022.
In the late 2000s, Eminem nearly died of an overdose caused by a mix of , and alcohol. After his overdose nearly cost him his life, he began a lengthy rehabilitation process. He used music as an outlet, talking about his struggle, as heard in his album Recovery. Eminem has been sober for 16 years and continues to share his story and inspire his fans through his songs.
Music played a vital role in his recovery. His 2009 album Relapse marked his return to the musical scene and helped him rediscover the joy of creating: “It was the first album and the first time that I had fun recording in a long time. It was like the first time I started having fun with music again, and re-learning how to rap, you remember that whole process. It took a long time for my brain to start working againʺ.
Addiction can happen to anyone, no matter how famous or successful. Success stories are proof that you can overcome addiction, no matter how serious the situation or how many relapses you’ve had. These stories also highlight the importance of rehabilitation programs and community and/or family support.
At Portage, we help people overcome their addictions and we play a crucial role in that process. Residents get the support they need to recover, similar to the support these celebrities found.
Whether you’re a celebrity or an unknown, the fight against addiction is universal; with the right support, you can find your way to a healthy life.
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