Celebrities are no strangers to the dangers of drugs and alcohol addiction. Throughout the years, countless celebrities didn’t have the strength to win the battle against addiction. The connection between stars and addiction is so tight that there’s a so-called club under 27 celebrities who passed away tragically, mostly due to overdose. But, these sober celebrities make it a priority to share their recovery stories to inspire others.
Dominick D, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Jada Pinkett Smith Recognized Her Alcohol Problem
Sometimes not even celebrities recognize their struggles. Jada realized she was having a drinking problem at home. These casual drinking nights were suddenly happening too often. “I found myself drinking two bottles of wine on the couch,” says Jada.
One day it suddenly clicked for her, and she realized she was having a problem with her drinking patterns. “From that day on, I went cold turkey,” shares Jada.
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Russell Brand Celebrates Over 16 Years Sober
One celebrity who’s very active in the addiction recovery community is Russell Brand. He has a book about his sobriety journey. He also has a documentary about his struggles with an addiction to heroin and alcoholism. Russell is proof that you can turn your life around.
He’s been an advocate for substance abuse treatment and long-term recovery support for years. “When I started, I took it one day at a time,” he said. “Ultimately, I found that spirituality worked for me,” says Russell.
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Demi Lovato Struggles with Relapse & Perseverance
Out of all celebrities out there, no one has been more open on social media and media outlets about her struggles than Demi Lovato. The singer and actress have always shared her struggles with depression, eating disorders, low self-esteem, and addiction. Her many ups and downs are proof that even celebrities battle with addiction and relapse. However, she’s a prime example of how perseverance can help you get healthy.
In 2018, her single “Sober” was an ode to her last relapse episode and her fight to get back on track. She wrote an emotional Instagram statement about her hospitalization.
“I have always been transparent about my journey with addiction. What I’ve learned is that this illness is not something that disappears or fades with time,” she wrote. “It is something I must continue to overcome and have not done yet.”
She continues to share her story in a series of documentaries on YouTube.
By John Bauld from Toronto, Canada – Bradley Cooper, CC BY 2.0
Bradley Cooper Sober Since He Was 29
In an interview with GQ, Bradley said he got sober because “if I continued it, I was really going to sabotage my whole life.” The actor and director talk about the cathartic experience of dealing with his addiction while working on different projects.
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Brené Brown Sober Since 1996
Brené Brown is a social work researcher in courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. She is also a research professor at Houston University in Texas, a podcast host, and the author of not one but five #1 New York Times bestsellers.
In addition to research, writing, and teaching, Brown has been sober since May 12, 1996. She also has a documentary on Netflix titled The Call to Courage that details her own experiences and what it takes to choose courage in your life.
Brené speaks openly about what sobriety means to her and how she has accomplished personal and professional success by living a life of recovery. Generally, Brené Brown tops the list of most inspiring sober celebrities.
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Macklemore Entered Rehab in 2008
Macklemore is an exceedingly famous music artist that has been open about his struggle with addiction and sobriety. He was admitted into substance abuse treatment in 2008 and celebrated three years of sobriety before relapsing. As a result, he realizes that a “face” to recovery creates complex issues because people may relapse. He also released a song titled “Otherside” in 2010 that describes his struggle with addiction.
Additionally, his song “Starting Over,” released in 2012, is an emotional expression of the shame resulting from a relapse. However, it also speaks to his motivation to continue pursuing his sobriety. His music also shines a light on his gratitude for sobriety. His lyrics and music are also significantly relatable to those struggling with depression and addiction.
Nikki Sixx (Mötley Crüe) Almost Died to Overdose
There is no question that rock music openly glamorizes drug and alcohol use with seemingly no consequences. Nikki Sixx, the man who experienced a near-fatal overdose sometime between 1998 when he was pronounced dead for 2 minutes, the bassist of an incredibly successful classic rock band, has been sober since July 2001. Nikki Sixx openly shares that sobriety has been the greatest gift he has ever received.
Photo via Brandonnovak.com
Brandon Novak Sober Since 2015
You may recognize the name Brandon Novak if you were familiar with MTV in the 2000s. He became famous as the result of the MTV show Viva La Bam or the movie series Jackass.
You may also remember that Brandon Novak was a professional skateboarder who toured with Tony Hawk at 14. Brandon is also a New York Times bestselling author of the book Dreamseller, an autobiography detailing his addiction and transition into recovery.
Brandon’s drug addiction has been made public through the various shows, movies, and tours he was involved in; however, his sobriety and recovery journey is a testament to the fact that anyone can get sober.
By Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America – Daniel Radcliffe, CC BY-SA 2.0
Daniel Radcliffe Alcohol Struggles
The Harry Potter actor has opened about his addiction to alcohol on various occasions. “There was a time when I was coming out of ‘Potter,’ and I was into the real world. Suddenly I was in a world where I’m not going to have that consistency anymore,” he said.
However, after finding support and comfort, Daniel was able to fight his alcohol addiction and move to a healthier lifestyle.
By Phil Guest from Bournemouth, the UK – Kristin Davis, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8331210 CC BY-SA 2.0
Kristin Davis is a Recovering Alcoholic
The Sex and the City star is quite open about winning her battle against alcoholism. In 2010, Kristin spoke with Health magazine about her journey. “I’m a recovering alcoholic,” she said. “I’ve never hidden it, but I’ve been sober the whole time I’ve been famous, so it wasn’t like I had to go to rehab publicly.”
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Naomi Campbell Stopped Drinking with Alcoholics Anonymous
The supermodel has been very open about her struggles with alcohol. “The time between 1998 and 2005 was especially bad,” she said. “During that time, I avoided looking in the mirror because I didn’t like the person who was looking back at me. There were times I thought I wouldn’t survive.
After joining Alcoholics Anonymous and also Narcotics Anonymous, she’s been able to stay sober. “It doesn’t matter what walk of life — addiction and alcoholism don’t discriminate,” she said at the Fortune Most Powerful Women International Summit in 2017.
Finding Help for Yourself
These sober celebrities are only a few of those proudly exclaiming the positive gifts that sobriety has brought them. Their stories show that overcoming addiction and leading a life of sobriety can be the most inspirational message.
If you or someone you love struggles with drug or alcohol addiction, you do not have to suffer alone. If you are ready to take the journey towards a life of sobriety, contact us today. We are here to help put you on the right path to enjoying your life.
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