In the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, the struggle with addiction is a less glamorous side that many celebrities have battled. From Grammy-winning singers to Oscar-nominated actors, these stars have faced their demons and emerged victorious, inspiring many with their resilience.
Adele, the Grammy-winning singer, had a battle with alcohol addiction that almost derailed her career. She became addicted to alcohol due to insecurities about her appearance. However, in a candid interview with Oprah Winfrey in November 2021, she revealed her decision to quit drinking after divorcing her ex-husband, Simon Konecki.
Ben Affleck, the Good Will Hunting star, had a history of alcohol dependency. His journey to sobriety was marked by several sober slips until his now-wife, Jennifer Lopez, helped him regain control. Affleck revealed in a January 2021 episode of "The Hollywood Reporter's Awards Chatter" podcast that he feels good after overcoming his alcohol addiction.
Bradley Cooper, known for his roles in Hollywood blockbusters, had a cocaine addiction that threatened his career. After his arrest in 2006, he decided to go sober and embrace a healthier lifestyle. He credits actor Will Arnett for helping him recover.
Britney Spears, the pop icon, had a tumultuous journey with substance addiction that changed her career, life, and appearance. A former confidante testified in 2012 that Spears got hooked on drugs in 2007. She has since been open about her struggles and her journey to sobriety.
Chrissy Teigen, model and wife of John Legend, has been open about her family's history of alcohol abuse. She was inspired to begin her sobriety journey again after reading the book Quit Like a Woman on her 35th birthday in November 2020.
Courtney Love, the founder of the band Hole, battled addiction to multiple substances, even during her pregnancy. She promised The People vs. Larry Flint director Milos Formon that she would quit drugs, a promise that she kept.
Demi Lovato, the "Heart Attack" singer, struggled with cocaine addiction and suffered a heroin laced with fentanyl overdose in 2018. Her 2021 documentary series, Dancing With the Devil, detailed her addiction and the health issues she suffered from because of her habits, including strokes and a heart attack.
Eric Clapton, the former Cream man, fought his heroin addiction throughout the 1970s, but his battle did not stop there as he soon turned to alcohol. His addiction story also inspired him to launch a medical rehabilitation facility in 1998.
Jamie Lee Curtis, the actress, opened up about her near-death experience due to opioid addiction. She started her opioid addiction after undergoing plastic surgery over three decades ago.
Keith Richards, The Rolling Stones guitarist, became a consumer of multiple substances due to the pressures of being in the public eye. He only started taking heroin "to deal with pain and run away."
Lindsay Lohan, once one of the most sought-after actresses, hit rock bottom due to the legal troubles she got involved in over the past years. She admitted to taking cocaine "four or five times" in her life and that her drugs of choice have always been ecstasy.
Matthew Perry, the Serving Sara actor, became addicted to Vicodin after a jet ski accident in 1997. He voluntarily entered a rehabilitation program and started focusing on his recovery after a series of health scares, including a colon burst due to opioid overuse.
Mel Gibson, the actor and director, dealt with addiction and legal battles at the same time. He was arrested in 2006 on suspected drunk driving and charged with driving under the influence three years later. He soon put an end to his battle with alcoholism by checking himself into a rehabilitation facility.
Robert Downey Jr., the Iron Man star, developed alcohol addiction when he was eight because of his own father's struggles with the substance. He served prison sentences for years due to drug and alcohol-related issues. His wife, Susan Downey, gave him an ultimatum to quit drugs for good starting in 2003, and he maintained his sobriety by going through 12-step programs, therapy, yoga, and meditation.
Russell Brand, the comedian and actor, celebrated his 20 years sober in December 2022 after ending his alcohol and heroin consumption in 2003. He marked the milestone in an Instagram video and thanked everyone for the love and support as he stayed clean for decades.
These celebrities' journeys are a testament to the power of resilience and the human spirit to overcome even the most challenging obstacles. Their stories serve as a beacon of hope for those battling addiction, proving that it's never too late to seek help and make a change.