Cocaine is a powerful and highly addictive substance. Hollywood is no stranger to the effects of cocaine as the drug of choice at parties, nightclubs, and even movie sets. Over the years, we’ve seen the news of celebrity cocaine abuse stories. Today, we’ll remember some of these to reinforce the importance of seeking addiction treatment.
Robert Downey Jr.
It’s amazing that Robert Downey Jr. confesses he first tried to use drugs at the young age of six. However, it was by 1996 that he faced his first drug-related arrest. While today he’s at the top of his career, it wasn’t too long ago he was struggling with cocaine, heroin, and alcohol addiction. After a long and troubling period with addiction, he was able to come back and it’s now known for his role as Iron man.
Drew Barrymore
Former child star Drew Barrymore has been open about her drug abuse in her teenage years. However, motivated to get back on track with her career and life, Drew went twice to a rehab facility to address her cocaine addiction. Her first experience with cocaine was when she was twelve and her first rehab when she was 14.
Demi Lovato
The singer, actress, and mental health advocate has always been open about her struggles with addiction. She’s used her fame platform to share her personal experiences with eating disorders, bullying, and cocaine addiction. “I couldn’t go without 30 minutes to an hour without cocaine and I would bring it on airplanes. That’s how difficult it got and that was even with somebody [with me], I had a sober companion, somebody who was watching me 24/7 and living with me [and] I was able to hide it from them as well.” (Access Hollywood).
Johnny Depp
According to the Rolling Stones magazine when people say Johnny Depp was struggling with alcoholism they have no idea how severe his problem was. It’s reported that the actor couldn’t speak at ceremonies or events without the help of alcohol. The actor is known for experimenting and struggling with other substances including cocaine.
Steve-O
The Jackass actor confessed that he struggled with addiction and recalls a moment when he snorted cocaine that had been spattered with the blood of his HIV-positive drug dealer. “This is how desperate and pathetic my addiction was,” he said. “I sat there, like, knowingly scraping up this tainted, like, blood cocaine and uh, I sat there and snorted it, which is so f–ked up — I snorted the blood of an intravenous drug user.”
Amy Poehler
The actress opened up about her past cocaine and ecstasy use back in 2014. “Cocaine is terrific if you want to hang out with people you don’t know very well and play ping-pong all night [but] it’s bad for almost everything else…the day after cocaine is rough.” For Amy, it was family – her two sons – that gave her the power to fight her addiction.
Lindsay Lohan
The former child star is no stranger to rehab facilities, the start has struggled with addiction for quite some time. “I tried cocaine with alcohol. It never felt good the next day. [I did it] because it allowed me to drink more. I snorted it. I’ve never injected anything.” While Lohan continues to struggle with maintaining her sobriety, she pushes hard to win her battle with addiction.
Angelina Jolie
While these days she’s known for her humanitarian work, Jolie is no stranger to drugs. “I went through heavy, darker times and I survived them,” she said. “I didn’t die young, so I’m very lucky. People can imagine that I did the most dangerous and I did the worst and for many reasons I shouldn’t be here.”
Zac Efron
The young star struggles with cocaine, MDMA, and other substances. In 2013, he found the power to check into rehab for alcohol and cocaine addiction. Later on, he joined Alcoholic Anonymous and continues to work in his recovery and health today. Effron said of his battle with addiction, “It’s a never-ending struggle.” But like many, he found relief in recovery, “I think it’s changed my life,” he says. “I’m much more comfortable in my own skin. Things are so much easier now.”
Oprah
One of the most famous people out there, this powerful woman you wouldn’t think in a million years struggled with addiction. Well, she recalls how her involvement with drugs started with a man in her life. Eventually, she sought treatment and found relief to her struggles.
Stephen King
The award winning director struggled with alcohol, cocaine, and sleep aid abuse for years. “I didn’t just have a problem with beer and cocaine. I was an addictive personality, period.” After years of watching him self-destruct, his family and friends decided to do an intervention and after several attempts and the right help, he chose to seek treatment.
Mary-Kate Olsen
The Full House actress struggled with anorexia and cocaine addiction as a young woman. Eventually, she went on to seek rehab for her addictions through a dual diagnosis program to help with her eating disorder as well.
Nicole Richie
The former actress and socialite struggled with addiction in her early partying years alongside Paris Hilton. She was struggling with numerous substance abuse disorders including heroin, cocaine, and marijuana. After five car accidents and three arrests, Nicole found help for her addiction.
Elton John
The award-winning singer recently celebrated three decades of sobriety. However, he recalls his struggles with substance abuse. “If I ever find myself in a situation where there are drugs, I can smell the cocaine. I can feel it in the back of my throat, that horrible feeling of taking the first hit of cocaine. And I leave.”
Keith Urban
The singer is by no means one of the biggest names in music. However, back in the 90s, Urban was struggling with cocaine addiction. Later on, by 2016 he went through rehab one more time for alcohol addiction. Today, the singer seems to be healthy and enjoying his sobriety.
The 27 Club
The 27 Club is an infamous club that includes popular musicians, actors, and athletes who have died at age 27 as a result of drug and alcohol abuse. The club also includes those who died as a result of homicide, suicide, or accidents. Some famous celebrities part of the club include:
- Anton Yelchin – actor
- Amy Winehouse – singer
- Jonathan Brandis – actor
- Jeremy Michael Ward – singer
- Kurt Cobain- singer
Seeking Treatment for Cocaine Abuse
You don’t have to be a celebrity or famous person to check into rehab. If you or someone you know is struggling with cocaine abuse, please reach out. Cocaine addiction can be a life-threatening disease that affects you, your family, and your friends. Treatment options are available to tackle addictive behaviors and understand the root cause of your addiction.
At Lighthouse Recovery Institute, our addiction specialists are always available to help you understand more about your addiction and find the right treatment program to support your sobriety journey.
