Love Island USA’s Austin Gets Candid on Addiction Battle With Opioids

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Austin Shepard is sharing the struggles he faced before his time in the villa.

Previously on “Love Island USA”, the former contestant openly discussed his prolonged battle against addiction, sharing his unique path towards achieving sobriety.

At the age of 22, this individual shared on an episode of The Journey Podcast on August 26, that they underwent a treatment to free themselves from opiates. This treatment involved using a psychedelic substance called Ibogaine, which they described as having been an incredibly intense experience for them, lasting approximately 18 hours.

For sixty-four years, he admitted, his life was consumed by addiction. He had children and a spouse, but unfortunately, his addiction led to the loss of his children. After an intense period of eighteen hours, he emerged from his ordeal and realized with shock, ‘Wow, I must sort out my life.’

In various regions of West Africa, Ibogaine has traditionally played a role within healing rituals. Additionally, it’s been reported by the Partnership to End Addiction that this compound can help mitigate opioid withdrawal symptoms and momentarily lessen cravings.

During his teenage years, Austin can trace the root of his addiction problems to a time when medical professionals gave him Percocet, a painkiller containing the opioid oxycodone, for treating an injury to his hand.

For two consecutive months, they had me on a treatment, but apparently didn’t notice it was back-to-back,” he explained. “Upon stopping the treatment, I felt extremely unwell. I was puzzled, thinking ‘What’s happening here?’

In due course, the celebrity known for reality TV acknowledged having attempted to become sober multiple times. However, he later found unused pills of a prescribed drug, which he asserted promptly alleviated his symptoms upon ingestion.

He admitted, “I was completely clueless about what to do.” Being only 17, he explained, “I’m still trying to figure things out. It was more like, ‘This seems right. It alleviates the pain in my hand, and it also feels pleasant.’

Afterward, the experience made him weary of taking any substances whatsoever.

When he managed to cleanse himself, he declared emphatically, “I have no desire to rely on anything. I yearn for complete independence, with no attachments whatsoever.” Furthermore, he emphasized, “There’s no quick fix or magic solution. Naturally, achieving anything requires effort and dedication.

To see what others have said about their sobriety journeys, keep reading.

After the Backstreet Boys member relapsed in 2021, he noted he “got sober again for the last time.”

In an interview with People in July 2025, he shared that he was determined to see this through. He emphasized that it’s a daily commitment, but after following advice from the sober community, his life has made a remarkable turn for the better.

While AJ acknowledged he is “still learning, still growing,” he’s now confident in who he is.

He mentioned that he recently learned new ways of expressing himself, like setting boundaries, which he hadn’t done before. Now that he has these boundaries in place, he considers it a positive development. AJ represents a group he belongs to, but he stresses that this group identity doesn’t encompass who he is as an individual. In essence, Alexander James is his personal identity.”

The paraphrase aims to convey the same information in clearer and more natural language, while also providing some context for readers who may not be familiar with the original text.

Last October, the actor famous for American Pie shared on Instagram that he had been sober for a whole year, expressing joy and encouragement about his milestone.

Approximately five years ago, he attempted to achieve sobriety as the burden of his excessive alcohol and drug use became unmanageable for him. Reflecting on that period, he admitted, ‘Quitting this habit proves to be challenging.’

He added, “Following some ups and downs, I’ve successfully completed a year without using any substances. This accomplishment ranks among the things I’m most proud of in my life. If you find yourself facing difficulties, remember there is support available. There’s no need to feel ashamed. Together, we can overcome this challenge.

In time, he looked back on his battle with addiction and the great efforts he made to conceal his fight against it.

He shared on an episode of his wife Jenny Mollen’s “All the Fails” podcast in March 2024 that he is undergoing therapy and making progress, but following a productive session, he has decided to discontinue it. Instead, he went to the liquor store, purchased a bottle of vodka, consumed it, and then drove home. He admitted that he knows how to drink enough to become intoxicated, thus eliminating himself from his current circumstances, avoiding connections that might evoke emotions.

He mentioned that he had carefully planned it so as not to drink excessively to the point of losing the ability to converse with you. He was frequently replenishing empty bottles at the bar.

 

The two-time champion of the FIFA Women’s World Cup has been forthright about her past abuse of Adderall as she dealt with injuries during her university soccer years.

She admitted during an episode of the Question Everything with Danielle Robay podcast in 2025 that she had developed a severe dependence on Adderall and abused it excessively. She would often take it continually, leading to extended periods without sleep. The situation became quite extreme as she feared she might have a heart attack. Her method of consumption was crushing and snorting the drug, which added to its problematic nature.

However, in the midst of her struggle, her college coach Anson Dorrance was there to support her.

She clarified that it became incredibly dark, necessitating significant changes, to which Anson suggested reading books. A book titled “Man’s Search for Meaning” was one she picked up, focusing on the theme of suffering, redefining it, and it drastically transformed her life.

The Valley star shared his decades-long battle with drugs in March 2025 after going to rehab.

During the March 4 episode of Bravo’s Hot Mic podcast, Jax confessed that he struggles with addiction. Specifically, he has trouble with cocaine. Acknowledging it publicly is difficult for him.

He said, “This issue has come up intermittently in my life, starting from when I was 23. Today, at the age of 45, I’m still grappling with it. There have been periods when I managed to avoid it completely, but other times, I found myself becoming deeply involved again.

Jax chose to stop consuming alcohol, stating, “I’m not convinced I have an alcohol issue per se, but they often go together. I can’t use cocaine without drinking too. Consequently, I decided to quit both. I am pleased to tell you that I have been abstinent for 82, 83 days now, which is the longest period in my life that I haven’t had either.

In 2022, the actor playing Spider-Man decided to quit drinking alcohol as he felt it had a hold over him. During an interview on the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast, he admitted to being addicted and stated that anyone who drinks daily may have an issue.

Then, you’d come to a point where you might think, “Gosh, I wish I hadn’t had that extra beer,” the actor explained further. The following morning, you would find yourself with a severe headache.

After adopting a new lifestyle, Holland observed that he has been sleeping more soundly and managing issues more effectively.

He confided that issues that typically would frustrate him on set, he was able to handle more easily. He mentioned experiencing significantly improved mental clarity, feeling healthier, and having increased fitness.

In a more conversational style, the lead character from “The Hunt for the Red October” seldom discusses his long-standing struggle with sobriety, a battle he’s been fighting for close to four decades.

During a podcast conversation back in May 2024, I shared that I don’t dwell on this topic frequently, but rather bring it up sporadically when the occasion calls for it. You see, it has been an incredible 39 years since I embarked on my sober journey, which began on February 23, 1985.

In an explanation of his life following his relocation from New York City to Los Angeles in 1983, Alec described a two-year period filled with daily struggles related to drug use. He stated that he used so much cocaine during this time that it felt like he had snorted a line from New York to Saturn and even continued using it when he returned home. Essentially, Alec implied that cocaine was as common and accepted as coffee in those days, with people consuming it constantly.

And after quitting the drug, he soon turned to alcohol—only to also quit that dependency. 

Today, he relies on the city around him. 

He mentioned that New York has a calming effect on him, referring to it as his home. As he strolls around, he discovers new aspects of the city that he hadn’t previously noticed – like the striking details of buildings, such as unique doors, that catch his eye. He also spends time having meals and catching up with friends over coffee.

In an interview with the New York Times in April 2024, the actress from The Princess Diaries announced that she has been sober for over five years. For her, this achievement represents a significant milestone.

Her understanding was evident as she admitted, “I knew instinctively it wasn’t right for me,” and added, “It felt incredibly intense to state ‘Absolutely not,’ but absolutely not. If you have an allergy or experience a severe reaction to something, you don’t debate it. So I stopped debating it.

In her own words, she expressed satisfaction with the choice she made, adding, “It has significantly improved my life.” In simpler terms, she referred to it as a positive influence, and admitted that she prefers not to dwell on negative aspects.

During her acceptance speech for the 2018 Woman of the Year Award at the Peggy Albrecht Friendly House, a home providing recovery for women struggling with substance and alcohol addiction, Moore discussed the self-damaging journey that came close to halting her professional progression.

In the early stages of my career, I found myself on a self-destructive path that seemed to define who I had become and steer me in a certain direction. Despite any achievements, I always felt inadequate. I didn’t appreciate my own worth, and this destructive pattern quickly led me to a critical juncture in my life. At the time, it wasn’t apparent why this was happening to me. Perhaps it was a divine intervention.

In 2012, Moore acknowledged gratitude towards two individuals who were not previously well-acquainted with her. These people essentially presented her with a decisive message, urging her to make significant changes in her life. She humorously mentioned, “Unless I was deceased, I had better show up,” further stating that she received an opportunity to alter the direction of her life before it spiraled out of control completely.

As a devoted admirer, I must say, it seems they had a deeper understanding of me than I ever could of myself. And let me tell you, I am eternally thankful for this revelation, for without it, without their faith in me, I wouldn’t be where I am today – right here, basking in the glory of their recognition.

In 2022, I openly discussed my journey of recovery from a Xanax addiction that began in 2020. During this challenging period, the medication provided an essential structure in my life, something I desperately needed to avoid aimless introspection. It brought a glimmer of hope into my situation. As shared with Rolling Stone, these were my sentiments.

The singer remarked, “When I believed there was a momentary respite where you could quieten your troubles and dull your suffering, it ended.

As a devoted follower, I’d rephrase that as: My friends at the time seemed to tacitly endorse my drug usage, and it gradually transformed into an abyssal, endless void. However, during the pandemic, Cyrus admitted she faced numerous struggles and felt emotionally distant. “I was consistently succumbing to sleep,” she reminisced, “and unable to maintain awareness or keep my eyes open, as I had sunk so deeply.

She eventually sought help and noted that “it took some time to get on my own two feet.”

In his 2025 documentary Stans, the rapper who became famous for “Lose Yourself” shared insights about his past addiction to prescription pills. He revealed that a near-fatal overdose and missing his daughter, Hailie Jade’s birthday party, served as significant catalysts for him to make a change in his life.

In the documentary, he expressed, “I was overcome with emotion because I realized, ‘Oh no, I missed that.’ It was like a wake-up call. I repeated internally, ‘Don’t you want to screw this up again? Don’t you want to miss out on everything? If you can’t do it for yourself, then at least do it for them.’

In time, focusing once more on his music aided the Academy Award-winner in overcoming his addiction issues.

He clarified, “It accomplished an action. It switched the light on.” Upon reflection, he disclosed that he no longer felt ashamed concerning his sobriety. Instead, he began viewing it as a formidable strength and took pride in being capable of abstaining from it.

As a seasoned advocate for balanced living, I can share that after maintaining a commendable 16-year sobriety journey, a minor setback occurred in my life in the year 2020. This was prompted by an unfortunate motorcycle accident that led me to momentarily deviate from my path and turn to Vicodin for relief. It serves as a reminder of the challenges we may face on our personal journeys towards wellness, but also underscores the importance of resilience and perseverance in overcoming such obstacles.

Over the past eight weeks or so, he remarked during his “Armchair Expert” podcast, “I’ve been using these medications quite a bit, and it’s permitted since I have a prescription. However, I’m also increasing their effect.

He went on to express his dislike for the situation, admitting he was deceiving others. He acknowledged that he needed to stop, but his tolerance had grown so fast that he was now consuming eight 30mg doses a day. He knew this quantity would lead to a severe withdrawal, causing him fear and loneliness. Additionally, he confided that he was carrying a massive secret.

2018 saw the actress who starred in Halloween openly discussing her 10-year struggle with opiate addiction that started in the late ’80s following a minor cosmetic procedure to address her family’s genetic puffy eyes. This led to a prescription that significantly altered her life. She confessed to People magazine, “I had a 10-year run of stealing and deceiving, all while keeping it hidden from everyone.

During the summer of 1998, when Curtis’s sister visited and brought prescription painkillers for a rib injury, Curtis admitted that this incident marked a personal low point for her. She confessed that she found and took all the opiates from her sister’s suitcase stored in the guest room closet. As her sister was about to leave, Curtis wrote a note explaining her actions and left it on the suitcase. Upon returning home, Curtis was met with a hug and words of love and concern from her sister, who expressed reluctance to watch Curtis self-destruct.

On February 3, 1999, she went to her first meeting, marking the day she shared her struggle with her filmmaker spouse, Christopher Guest. He was astonished that he hadn’t realized it before, as Curtis revealed. Since then, she has remained sober.

In 2021, Barrymore, who has previously sought help for alcohol and substance abuse issues, announced a significant achievement in her recovery journey. On the show CBS Mornings, she declared, “I’m ready to share something I haven’t said in a while: It’s been two and a half years since my last drink of alcohol.” She further explained, “It was a choice that didn’t benefit me in my life.

She commented that it feels both freeing and exposed when we lay bare our true selves, including what we’ve labored over – a mix of liberation and vulnerability.

Later on, Barrymore clarified to the Los Angeles Times that she avoids referring to herself as ‘sober,’ as she doesn’t want others to perceive her as an idealistic, flawless Puritan.

In 2023, she reflected, “I had always told myself, ‘I’ll conquer this, I’ll find a solution,’ but eventually it hit me: ‘This isn’t something I’ll ever truly master.’

During the 2000s, the actor from “A Star Is Born” faced challenges with a cocaine dependency. At that time, his friend Will Arnett intervened and addressed his actions directly.

During his interview on the Smartless podcast in 2022, Cooper shared that it was then he first became aware of his struggle with substance abuse, stating, “That moment will always stand out to me.

Attributing his sobriety to Arnett, Cooper stated, “He had the courage to initiate a difficult conversation with me, which led me to contemplate and ultimately decide to alter the course of my life.

The actor who played in Fight Club had trouble with alcohol for many years, but eventually got sober thanks to Cooper. He expressed this during the 2020 National Board of Review Annual Awards when Cooper gave him an award, saying “Every day has been happier since then, all because of this man.

As a lifestyle connoisseur speaking in September 2023, I proudly announced on my Instagram that it had been the longest stretch since my teenage years that I’ve managed to abstain from any form of nicotine or marijuana, among other substances. This break is a testament to personal growth and self-discipline.

He expressed gratitude for the liberation experienced by overcoming addictive habits and avoiding substance reliance. He mentioned that being sober, having a clear mind, and feeling spiritually linked gives him a wonderful sense of well-being.

Following a triumphant six-year sobriety anniversary celebration during a tour in 2018, the artist surprised fans with the launch of the introspective song “Sober”, disclosing that she had faced a relapse in privacy.

She expressed her remorse by singing, “Mama, I apologize for my current state, I’m no longer sober. Daddy, please forgive me for the spilled drinks on the floor. To those who have always stood by me, we’ve walked this path before, and once again, I’m sorry, I’m not sober anymore.

A month later, Lovato was hospitalized for a near-fatal overdose.

Two weeks ago, she posted on Instagram, sharing her ongoing struggle with addiction, emphasizing that it’s an illness that doesn’t just vanish over time but requires constant effort to overcome – a battle she is still waging. She needs time now for healing and to focus on her sobriety and recovery. The support she’s received from everyone will always be remembered, and she eagerly anticipates the day when she can announce her victory over this challenge. Until then, she remains committed to fighting.

In 2018, she shared memories of struggling with addictions to both sex and alcohol. “My addictive tendencies shift and change. At a younger age, I believe I grappled with some form of a sexual addiction, yes, the thought that all problems could be resolved through sex,” she stated, before delving into an account of discovering her concerning drinking habits had become problematic.

She recalled a moment when she was alone at home, with two bottles of wine already finished and reaching for a third. She exclaimed, ‘Whoa there! Alone at home, finishing off your third bottle of wine? That could be a sign of something concerning.’

She admitted she tends to go ‘all-in’ suddenly, often abstaining completely from something before returning to it. This tendency is typical for her, as she can become deeply engrossed in activities. She added, ‘It’s not just about the action, but the motivation behind it. The reason why you’re doing it. It’s the behavior associated with it that matters most. If you enjoy having a lot of sexual encounters, that’s fine, but consider the reasons for such frequency.’

A member of the Backstreet Boys experimented with drugs for the first time before shooting the music video for “The Call” in 2000. He later admitted to Good Morning America that he felt extremely energetic during filming. After seeking sobriety in 2021, he experienced numerous positive changes within a year, such as shedding 32 pounds in seven months by avoiding alcohol and fast food.

In September 2022, he stated on Today that drinking led to an increase in his weight, but it also negatively affected his emotional well-being.

Following Mac Miller’s unexpected passing, rapper Bow Wow (formerly known as Shad Moss) shared on Twitter about his past struggle with an addiction to cough syrup. In a series of tweets, he admitted that during the time he worked on the album ‘Face Off’ with Omarion, he was daily abusing lean. His behavior and attitude changed, leading some fans and even family members to turn against him.

He confessed that while on tour with Chris Brown, he was consuming 4’s (a brand of lean) at least seven times a day, and was addicted until their show in Cincinnati when he passed out backstage and woke up in the hospital suffering from withdrawals. This experience left him feeling an unparalleled pain, as he continued to struggle with the addiction despite the negative impact it had on his life.

Bow Wow encouraged his followers, particularly young people, to abandon these dangerous drugs. He emphasized the importance of being a good son or daughter, living life to its fullest, and breaking free from harmful trends. He vowed to be more vocal about this issue and stressed the need to protect youth from early deaths.

He ended by urging parents to closely monitor their children, warning them about the dangers of syrup abuse. He expressed his love for all his fans and urged young artists to break the cycle of drug addiction. In conclusion, he emphasized the importance of making smart choices and living a drug-free life.

In 2018, Gwyneth Paltrow’s fourth studio album, “No Shame,” along with her memoir, “My Thoughts Exactly,” revealed the singer’s raw account of her struggles with addiction. As she confessed, she had become heavily dependent on cocaine and alcohol, even reaching a state of being “almost parasitically drunk.” A turning point came when an incident at Kate Hudson’s Halloween party led to Gwyneth accidentally headbutting Orlando Bloom, causing herself to faint. This prompted Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow to stage an intervention.

In an interview with The Guardian, she expressed that nothing seemed effective or fulfilling for her. One particular morning during difficult times, a thought crossed her mind: “Perhaps I should try heroin, as nothing else appears to be helping.

In my expertise as a lifestyle advocate, I’d like to share a personal journey that echoes the life of Hayley Mills’ co-star from The Parent Trap. Throughout the 80s, this individual struggled with a cocaine addiction that eventually led him to seek treatment in rehab, back in 1990. Fast forward to an interview on Today, he opened up about his upbringing in the ’60s and ’70s, reflecting on a notably more relaxed societal attitude towards this particular substance during that era.

In 2018, he confessed that during the 1980s, he frequently used cocaine and was even addicted to it. He often pleaded with God to take away his addiction, promising never to use again due to work commitments, only to find himself saying “it’s not so bad” at 4pm each day.

He shared an event he referred to as a profound, intense illumination where he envisioned himself in a state that could have been death or losing everything valuable to him. Overwhelmed by this experience, he needed to explain it to his then-fiancée, Meg Ryan, and subsequently sought help. This marked the end of his relationship with drugs and cocaine.

In the wake of an unfortunate event in Newport Beach, where Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte attempted to force open his hotel room door, Lochte opted for treatment in 2018. According to a statement issued by his representative to TopMob News, “Ryan has struggled with alcohol addiction for quite some time, and regrettably, it has led him down a destructive path. He has come to the realization that he requires professional help to conquer this issue and will be seeking treatment right away.

Ryan realizes that overcoming this disease is crucial for him not only to steer clear of future regrettable choices but also to excel as a devoted husband and father. Moreover, if he aims to compete again in the Olympics in Tokyo 2020 and regain his top position in swimming, beating this disease is essential.

Despite understanding that it’s generally not advisable to give up alcohol for someone else, the former star of Parenthood found significant motivation in his relationship with Melanie Lynskey, which ultimately played a crucial role in his decision to abstain from drinking.

During his interview on The Drew Barrymore Show in March 2023, he admitted, “At some stage, I realized how extraordinary she was, and I believed she would be perfect for someone truly deserving. But, I didn’t think I was that worthy person; I felt somewhat unstable instead.

However, as Ritter noted to TopMob News, he now sees that sobriety is ultimately a personal choice.

He reminisced about the beginning of their relationship and shared that it felt more natural to claim he was acting on behalf of her because, at that point in time, he didn’t hold much value for himself. Instead, he expressed greater concern about causing her pain compared to his own. Consequently, it seemed simpler for him to assert, “I’m doing this for her.” However, now, he is motivated by self-interest.

The celebrated country artist has been substance-free for almost a decade, but his journey to sobriety was challenging. His struggle with alcohol and prescription pain pills started shortly after high school graduation and persisted even as his career gained momentum. He confessed that he always had a black leather laptop bag brimming with bottles of Jagermeister or vodka within easy reach. In his own words, every hour and a half to two hours he’d take two or three strong swigs from the bottle, and every three or four hours he’d need another pill or two. He shared this information in an interview with People magazine.

His admission was that it didn’t hinder his success, and in fact, he functioned better than he does currently; he even composed more songs back then, which he found quite alarming.

In late 2011, he was admitted to the hospital due to pancreatitis, and doctors warned him that continued drinking could lead to him not living to see his next birthday. He attempted to curb his drinking gradually, thinking something like, “Alright, I’ll just allow myself two drinks today. I’ll only consume this much from my bottle and mark the bottle,” he reminisced. This strategy worked for a short while, but then someone would host a party.

Eventually, he decided he needed assistance, admitting himself into rehab on December 18, 2011. As Gilbert explained, “I reached a point where I realized it was something beyond my control.” It infuriated and humiliated him. Despite being a determined individual, this was one aspect of his life he couldn’t conquer.

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2025-08-28 05:19