We often view celebrities as fantasy figures from a realm different than ours. Yet, they are human, just like us. Many have been open about the various struggles they’ve faced, including addiction.
Knowing that wealthy, high-profile celebrities deal with these struggles can help us understand that we are not the only ones touched by addiction. It affects people from all levels of wealth, talent, and fortune. Celebrities’ comeback stories can inspire and give hope to others going through similar struggles. They turned their lives around, and so can you.
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Here are five celebrities who have fallen into the deep waters of addiction, fought it, and came out better on the other side.
1. Drew Barrymore
Whether you know her as the little girl in “E.T.” or the comedic actor in “50 First Dates,” Drew Barrymore became famous at the young age of 6. She bravely opened up about her struggles with substance abuse in an autobiography titled “Little Girl Lost.” She shares how her cocaine addiction left her shunned by Hollywood when she was 12.
Between ages 12 and 14, Barrymore went to rehab several times, living a dark and lonely life, and even tried to take her own life at 14. After getting more help in a drug rehab center, she legally emancipated herself from her mom.
Barrymore later started Flower Films, a production company, and is now known as a rom-com queen. She faced much adversity and could barely see the light at the end of the tunnel but finally decided that she could beat her addiction and make her life meaningful. Her comeback to Hollywood was amazing.
2. Lindsay Lohan
Known as the little darling who played both twins in “The Parent Trap” at age 12 and starred in both “Freaky Friday and “Mean Girls,” Lindsay Lohan has had her fair share of struggles. Around the time she shot “Mean Girls,” she began to spiral down a dark hole of addiction to drugs and alcohol. She hit rock bottom when she went to jail and was in and out of rehab several times.
Lindsay Lohan then decided to get help and commit to her recovery. She has been sober for many years now and has made a comeback in Hollywood with a leading role in her feel-good movie “Falling For Christmas.” She also hosts a podcast, Lohdown, which encourages guest speakers to share their accomplishments.
3. Adele
Grammy-Award winner and powerhouse singer Adele turned to alcohol to ease the pressure she felt about her appearance before performances. She opened up about this in 2011, saying she was a “borderline alcoholic” in her 20s, and she made the hard decision to give up alcohol.
One of the lowest points in her career was when she was drunk on stage and forgot the lyrics to one of her own songs. This incident gave her the push she needed to first admit she had a problem with alcohol and get the help she needed, which included committing to sobriety.
4. Robert Downey, Jr.
Well-known for his major roles in “Iron Man,” “Tropic Thunder,” “The Avengers,” and “Avengers: Endgame,” Robert Downey, Jr. has had a lot of ups and downs. The star spent the majority of his teenage years and 20s in and out of rehab. He also went to prison for charges related to drug abuse.
After a long road to recovery, he finally got clean in 2003. He went from the worst years of his life, where he was essentially unhireable, to becoming one of the highest-paying actors in Hollywood. His story is inspiring.
5. Bradley Cooper
Many may not know Bradley Cooper’s deep connection to his role as Jackson Maine in “A Star is Born.” Perhaps his struggle with substance abuse contributed to his outstanding performance as an alcoholic singer in the limelight.
Cooper has had his fair share of substance abuse struggles, including getting arrested in 2006 for possession of cocaine. Cooper beat the charges but had to face the consequences of his arrest, making national headlines and tarnishing his acting career. This was a significant turning point for Cooper, and he decided to clean up. He entered a reputable drug and alcohol rehab facility and committed to a 12-step program. He got clean and was able to reach new heights in his acting career.
People of all backgrounds face struggles with drugs and alcohol. Sometimes, the monster of addiction grabs hold of us so tightly that we can’t wiggle our way out without help from an addiction recovery center. If you’re struggling with addiction, help awaits at our Utah and Idaho drug treatment centers.