Celebrities are no different than the rest of us. They have issues, are addicted, and may require assistance in achieving sobriety. Addiction is a sickness that may strike anyone, whether they are rich or poor. What was formerly just rumoured and whispered in gossip circles is now openly discussed. Drug and alcohol abuse and addiction are now openly acknowledged.
Celebrities’ lives are chaotic and stressful, and being in the open glare, as well as societal pressure and the corrosive consequences of money, lead many to seek solace in alcohol and narcotics. However, for every star who has become engulfed in a vortex of substance misuse, there is another who has overcome their addictions and learnt to live a clean life. Here are five examples of such celebrities:
1. Robert Downey Junior battled addiction
Robert, a gifted young lad from a lineage of actors, failed his first test of stardom and went through a period of reckless revelry and substance abuse. Those wild days and nights led to controversies, the loss of significant studio deals, and substantial legal issues. The actor was given a 16-month prison sentence as well as rehab. He spent nearly a year in a clinic before concluding that he would no longer use drugs. Robert’s friends assisted him in obtaining new jobs, and the media praised his return. Downey Jr. finally earned his place in Hollywood with the well-deserved success of his performance in Iron Man.
2. Russell Brand suffered from heroin addiction
Russell Brand is tough to overlook when it comes to listing celebrities who have battled addiction and are still learning how to do so. Brand struggled with drug addiction, specifically heroin addiction, which he developed at the age of 19. Since then, he’s become a well-known figure in the field of addiction recovery and therapy. He’s been forthright about the solace that heroin brought him. He used heroin for 15 years, till 2003. Brand started a 12-step programme after his manager intervened. In 2017, Brand released “Recovery: Freedom From Our Addictions.” He discusses some of the lessons he gained during his recuperation in his book. He’s been clean for about two decades now.
3. The most publisized Hollywood addict: Drew Barrymore
Barrymore perhaps has more openly discussed addiction issues than any other celebrity. She began drinking frequently at the age of nine, taking marijuana at 10, and using cocaine on a daily basis at the age of twelve, as per her autobiography Little Girl Lost. Drew made news in 1989 when she went to rehab just at the age of 13 and revealed being an addict. She spent her adolescence attempting to overcome her infamy, and she has since found success as an actress and producer. Barrymore claims to have made significant success in her efforts to remain clean, although she admits she does not live a perfectly sober lifestyle. Jessica, her half sister, was recently discovered dead from a heroin overdose.
4. Elton John is 30 years clean today
Elton John marked 30 years of sobriety in 2021. John rose to fame as a spectacular performer who drew tens of thousands of admirers, but his shyness drove him to experiment with drugs in the 1970s and 1980s. According to John, he didn’t just take cocaine; he also used marijuana, alcohol, and pretty much whatever else he could get his hands on. People would find John having seizures, and then he’d be using more drugs a few minutes later. John met Ryan White, a youngster who caught HIV through a blood transfusion, during the AIDS crisis. He began supporting White, and then he established the AIDS Foundation as a result of this experience. John’s recovery was strengthened by this purpose.
5. Britney Spears struggled with many issues that led to substance abuse
Britney Spears‘ rapid climb to fame began at a young age. However, she w as catapulted into a violent phase of drug using, alcohol abuse, and family issues after recording three insanely successful albums in three years, keeping to a tight schedule, and trying to manage her notoriety. The singer’s mind was completely broken when she was stripped of her parental rights over her two sons. Her father was the one who pulled the singer back from the abyss by assuming complete control of her affairs. He cut his daughter’s old ties and re-instated her legal right to see her children. Britney began to heal gradually, surrounded by family and friends. Later, the singer was able to overcome her drug addiction and make a comeback to the world of music.
