A little bit goes a long way for Jessica Simpson.
The singer of “With You” recently celebrated eight years of sobriety and opened up about her decision to stop drinking in 2017, explaining that it’s made a significant difference in her life.
On November 2nd, she reflected on a pivotal moment from eight years ago when she decided to address and release the patterns in her life that were holding her back. She explained that this choice opened the door for her to wholeheartedly follow what she believes is God’s plan for her life.
The 45-year-old, who has three children – Maxwell, 13, Ace, 12, and Birdie, 6 – with her soon-to-be ex-husband, Eric Johnson, explained how getting sober has positively changed her life.
I used to rely on alcohol to numb my inner voice, and it really stifled my ambitions and brought my anxieties about settling for less to the surface. But now, things are different. I’ve found clarity and purpose, and I’m motivated by my faith. It’s amazing to realize that both fear and faith live inside us, unseen, and I’m so grateful I chose to embrace faith instead of letting fear control me.
Jessica added, “It was not in the fight that I found my strength, it was in the surrender.”
Jessica Simpson is starting a fresh chapter after her split from Eric Johnson earlier this year. She’s returning to acting in a new legal drama called All’s Fair, and she’ll be acting alongside well-known stars like Kim Kardashian, Niecy Nash, and Sarah Paulson.
Speaking with Erin Lim Rhodes of TopMob News at the Los Angeles premiere in October, she shared that turning 45 felt like a fresh start. She described it as a rebirth for her career in entertainment, and expressed how much she was enjoying it.
Jessica recently returned to singing after a long break, releasing her EP, Nashville Canyon: Part 1, and announcing a series of concerts scheduled for 2025.
She said the 15-year hiatus felt like a really long time. She hadn’t planned on being away for so long, but having another child led her to focus on motherhood and expanding her Jessica Simpson collection as much as she could.
Now that Jessica is performing again and feeling energized, she’s determined to keep the good times rolling.
She described her role in All’s Fair as an incredible experience and said she’s eager to act again.
Keep reading to see more stars who have opened up about their sobriety journeys…
After the Backstreet Boys member relapsed in 2021, he noted he “got sober again for the last time.”
He told People magazine in July 2025 that he’s committed to staying on his current path. He described it as a daily effort, but said he’s finally followed advice from the recovery community, and it’s dramatically improved his life.
While AJ acknowledged he is “still learning, still growing,” he’s now confident in who he is.
I’ve been learning to set healthy boundaries, something I didn’t used to do. It’s been really helpful. ‘AJ’ is a stage name or character I use, but it doesn’t represent who I truly am. My real name is Alexander James, and that’s who I am at my core.
In October 2018, the actor known for American Pie shared on Instagram that he had been sober for a year, marking the occasion with a positive and uplifting message.
He shared that he first attempted to stop drinking and using drugs more than five years ago, when his addiction became overwhelming. He admitted it was a very difficult process.
He shared that he’s been sober for a year, something he’s incredibly proud of after a difficult journey. He encouraged anyone who is struggling with addiction to seek help, reminding them that it’s okay to ask and that recovery is possible.
Looking back on his battle with addiction, he thought about how far he’d gone to keep it a secret.
He shared on his wife Jenny Mollen’s podcast, All the Fails, that he was in therapy but still struggling with alcohol. He described a cycle where he’d leave a productive therapy session and immediately go buy a bottle of vodka, drink it, and then drive home. He admitted he used alcohol to disconnect from his feelings and escape reality.
He explained that he’d carefully planned how much to drink, making sure he stayed coherent enough to talk. He mentioned he was constantly swapping out the alcohol bottles at the bar.
The two-time World Cup-winning soccer player has publicly discussed using Adderall inappropriately while recovering from injuries during her time playing college soccer.
She shared on the 2025 podcast Question Everything with Danielle Robay that she had become seriously addicted to Adderall and was using it in a dangerous way. She explained she was taking it constantly, often going for days without sleep. It was a chaotic time, and she felt like she was pushing her body to the limit, even fearing a heart attack. She admitted to crushing and snorting the pills, acknowledging how harmful her behavior was.
However, in the midst of her struggle, her college coach Anson Dorrance was there to support her.
She described a difficult time where she had to adapt to challenging circumstances. Anson encouraged her to read, and she found a book called Man’s Search for Meaning that profoundly impacted her. The book dealt with the topic of suffering and how to change your perspective on it, ultimately changing her life.
In October 2025, Migos member Quavo revealed he had been sober from codeine—an opioid often mixed with soda to make “sizzurp”—for four years. He credited a serious conversation with his teenage son, Jordan, as the turning point that led him to quit.
Offset shared a story on the show Baby, This Is Keke Palmer about his son repeatedly asking for pineapple Fanta, even though he rarely drinks soda. What really got to Offset was when his son noticed his own drink looked different and asked why, which he found incredibly touching.
Offset explained that the seemingly harmless comment really bothered him, adding, “I almost cried when I went back to my room.”
The rapper said he felt guilty as a father. He was worried his son didn’t realize he was using drugs and was especially troubled by small things, like his son wanting the same soda as him. It made him feel like he was a bad influence.
The Valley star shared his decades-long battle with drugs in March 2025 after going to rehab.
Jax revealed in a recent episode of Bravo’s Hot Mic podcast that he’s struggling with addiction, specifically cocaine use. He admitted it was difficult to talk about.
He explained that he’s struggled with this issue intermittently since he was 23, and now, at 45, it continues to come and go. Sometimes he’d stop, and other times he’d really focus on it.
Jax also stopped drinking, explaining that while he didn’t believe he had a serious alcohol problem, it was connected to his cocaine use. He couldn’t use cocaine without drinking alcohol, so he decided to quit both. He’s proud to have been sober for over 82 days – the longest stretch of his life without using either substance.
Tom Holland, known for his role in Spider-Man: No Way Home, quit drinking in 2022 because he felt controlled by alcohol. He admitted on the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast that he was addicted. “I was definitely addicted to alcohol, and I’m not afraid to say that,” Holland shared. He believes that even having a beer every day could be a sign of a problem.
The actor explained that you eventually realize you went too far, like after having one too many beers. Then, you wake up with a really bad headache.
After adopting a new lifestyle, Holland found he was sleeping more soundly and coping with challenges more effectively.
He explained that he was much calmer and more able to handle problems on set. He felt mentally clear, healthier, and in better physical shape.
Sean Connery, known for his role in Hunt for Red October, rarely discusses his recovery, which started nearly four decades ago.
He revealed in a May 2024 podcast interview that he doesn’t often talk about his sobriety, only mentioning it when relevant. He shared that he’s been sober for 39 years, since February 23, 1985.
Alec described his early years in Los Angeles after leaving New York in 1983 as a period of intense struggle with cocaine use. He admitted to using a large amount of the drug daily, comparing it to how common coffee consumption was at the time and noting that it was widespread among his social circle.
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 finds New York City incredibly calming. He loves simply walking around and discovering new details he’s never seen before – like noticing unique features on buildings he’s passed countless times. He also enjoys spending time with friends over lunch or coffee.
In April 2024, Anne Hathaway, known for her role in The Princess Diaries, revealed she’s been sober for over five years. She told The New York Times that reaching this point feels like a significant achievement.
She explained her decision simply. “I realized it wasn’t the right path for me,” she said. “It felt difficult to completely refuse, to say ‘absolutely not,’ but I had to. It’s like an allergy – if you have a severe reaction, you don’t try to fight it. I finally stopped questioning my instincts.”
She’s glad she made the change. She explained that, personally, she’s found things much improved. It helped her avoid getting stuck in negative feelings, which she actively dislikes.
When accepting the 2018 Woman of the Year Award from the Peggy Albrecht Friendly House—a program helping women recover from addiction—Moore discussed how a period of self-destructive behavior almost ended her career.
I think we all have key moments that shape who we become and the choices we make. Early in my career, I was heading down a really destructive path, and despite any success I achieved, I always felt inadequate. I had very little self-worth, and that negativity quickly led to a crisis. At the time, I didn’t understand why, but it felt like something—maybe fate—intervened.
In 2012, while seeking treatment, Moore expressed gratitude to two people she hardly knew who gave her a wake-up call. She jokingly said they told her she needed to get her life back on track or face the consequences, explaining they gave her “a chance to change things before I ruined everything.”
Moore reflected that others recognized potential in her that she hadn’t seen in herself. She expressed deep gratitude for their belief in her, saying she wouldn’t be where she was today without it.
Miley Cyrus revealed in 2022 that she’s been working on overcoming her addiction to Xanax since 2020. She told Rolling Stone that recovery provided much-needed stability during a difficult time. “It gave me something to focus on and prevented me from getting lost in my thoughts,” she explained. “It really gave me hope.”
You know, listening to her talk about it really hit me. She explained that the moment she realized she could just block everything out, even for a little while, and kind of shut off the hurt, that was when she knew it was truly finished. It was like she found a way to cope, and in doing so, accepted that it was over.
She explained that her friends at the time didn’t discourage her drug use, and it quickly spiraled out of control. During the pandemic, she realized she was struggling and felt disconnected from her emotions. She remembers being constantly drowsy, unable to stay awake or even keep her head up because of how deeply affected she was.
She eventually sought help and noted that “it took some time to get on my own two feet.”
Oh my god, you won’t BELIEVE what Eminem shared in his new documentary, Stans! He finally talked about his struggles with pills, and it was so raw. He actually overdosed, which is terrifying, and the worst part? He missed Hailie’s birthday party! Apparently, that was a huge wake-up call for him, the moment he knew he needed to change his life. It just breaks my heart, but it’s also so inspiring to see him be so honest about it all.
He explained that he became emotional realizing he almost missed out on something important. He described a harsh internal monologue, repeatedly asking himself if he wanted to repeat past mistakes and miss out on life again. He pushed himself to persevere, even telling himself to do it for the sake of others if he couldn’t do it for himself.
Focusing on making music again played a key role in the Oscar-winning actor’s recovery from addiction.
He described how it activated a light. This made him realize he wasn’t ashamed of being sober anymore. He began to view his sobriety as a strength, and felt proud of overcoming his addiction.
The actor, known from the show Parenthood, had been sober for 16 years when they experienced a relapse in 2020. This happened after a motorcycle accident led to them taking Vicodin.
He explained on his Armchair Expert podcast that he’s been taking prescription medication consistently for about the past two months, and is also taking additional doses beyond what was originally prescribed.
He admitted he hated what he was doing and felt he was deceiving those around him. He knew he needed to stop, but his tolerance was increasing rapidly – he was now using eight pills, thirty milligrams each, daily. This worried him because he anticipated a severe withdrawal. He was becoming increasingly scared and isolated, burdened by a huge secret he was keeping from everyone.
In 2018, the star of the Halloween movies openly discussed her decade-long struggle with opioid addiction. It began in the late 1980s after a small cosmetic procedure to address her naturally puffy eyes. The resulting prescription dramatically altered her life. As she told People magazine, she spent ten years stealing and deceiving others, all in secret. “No one knew,” she said. “No one.”
Curtis recalls the summer of 1998 as her lowest point. Her sister came to visit and brought pain medication for a broken rib, and Curtis ended up taking all of it. Remembering the event, she explained that she knew her sister would discover the missing pills before leaving. Curtis confessed in a note left on the suitcase, and when her sister found it, she embraced Curtis, expressing her love and concern, and stating she couldn’t bear to watch Curtis destroy herself.
Jamie Lee Curtis went to her first support group meeting on February 3, 1999, and on that same day, she told her husband, filmmaker Christopher Guest, about her struggles with addiction. She said he was surprised he hadn’t noticed before, and she has been sober ever since.
Drew Barrymore, who has previously sought treatment for substance abuse, revealed in 2021 that she had reached a significant point in her recovery. During an interview on CBS Mornings, she shared that she’d been sober for two and a half years, explaining that alcohol simply wasn’t beneficial to her life.
It’s amazing how freeing and nerve-wracking it feels to finally share who you are, what you believe, and everything you’ve achieved.
Drew Barrymore later told the Los Angeles Times she avoids calling herself “sober” because she doesn’t want to be seen as overly strict or judgmental.
In 2023, she explained that she used to tell herself, ‘I can learn this, I can solve this.’ But she eventually came to a different conclusion: ‘I’m not going to master this, and that’s okay.’
Bradley Cooper battled a cocaine addiction in the early 2000s. His friend, Will Arnett, helped him by directly addressing the issue and confronting him about his struggles.
Cooper shared in a 2022 podcast interview that it was the first time he truly understood he was struggling with substance use. He said he could still vividly remember the experience.
Cooper explained that Arnett was instrumental in his decision to get sober, saying, “Arnett was willing to have a difficult conversation with me, and that conversation ultimately led me to change my life.”
Edward Norton battled alcohol addiction for years, but Bradley Cooper helped him get sober. Accepting an award from Cooper at the 2020 National Board of Review Annual Awards, Norton shared, “I got sober because of this guy, and my life has been better every day since.”
In September 2023, the former Cruel Intentions star revealed on Instagram that she hadn’t used nicotine or marijuana—or any substances, really—for the longest time since her teenage years.
He expressed gratitude for overcoming addiction and substance dependency, saying that achieving sobriety brings a sense of clarity and a deeper spiritual connection, which feels incredibly good.
In 2018, the singer first celebrated six years of being sober while on tour. However, she surprised her fans later that year with the release of her song “Sober,” in which she admitted to having struggled with relapse.
She sang, filled with regret, apologizing to her parents for relapsing and the mess it caused. She also expressed gratitude to those who had stayed by her side, acknowledging this wasn’t the first time she’d struggled with this, saying, ‘Mama, I’m so sorry I’m not sober anymore, and Daddy, please forgive me for the drinks spilled. To those who’ve always been there for me, we’ve faced this before, and I’m so sorry I’m not sober anymore.’
A month later, Lovato was hospitalized for a near-fatal overdose.
In a recent Instagram post, she shared an update on her ongoing struggle with addiction. She explained that addiction isn’t something that simply goes away, and that she’s still working hard to overcome it. She’s taking time to focus on healing and getting better, and is incredibly grateful for the support she’s received. She’s hopeful about the future and determined to continue fighting for her sobriety.
In 2018, she spoke about her struggles with sex and alcohol addiction. She explained that her addictions tended to shift over time, and when she was younger, she believed sex could solve any problem. She then described realizing she had developed a serious issue with drinking.
She recalled a particularly low point when she was home alone and had already finished two bottles of wine, about to open a third. That’s when she realized she might have a drinking problem.
I stopped completely and abruptly. That’s just how I am – I can do that. I tend to get really into things, so I always have to be mindful of my habits. It’s not necessarily what you do, but how and why you do it. It’s the underlying reasons and behaviors that matter. For example, wanting to have a lot of sex is fine, but you need to understand why you want that – that’s what’s important to consider.
Backstreet Boy AJ McLean revealed he first experimented with drugs right before filming the music video for their 2000 hit, “The Call.” He later told Good Morning America that he was feeling extremely out of control during the shoot. He achieved sobriety in 2021, and within a year, experienced significant improvements, including losing 32 pounds in seven months by giving up alcohol and junk food.
He told Today in September 2022 that drinking led to weight gain and also negatively affected his mental health.
Following the unexpected death of Mac Miller, rapper Bow Wow (Shad Moss) shared on Twitter that he had previously battled an addiction to cough syrup, often called “lean.” He explained that while working on the “FACE OFF” album with Omarion, and even during a heated moment on BET with Torae, he was regularly using lean. He noted his behavior changed, causing distance from fans and family, despite never promoting the drug in his music. He revealed he was addicted throughout the UCP tour with Chris Brown, consuming it at least seven times a day until a show in Cincinnati, where he collapsed backstage and was hospitalized due to withdrawal.
Bow Wow described the pain as unlike anything he’d ever experienced, noting he was constantly cold and even missed shows in Chicago and Baltimore due to being high and sick. He admitted he was using it to fit in but urged others to avoid it, encouraging them to be good sons and daughters and strive to be their best selves. He vowed to speak out more, hoping to save young people from early deaths and asking parents to educate their children. He shared that he almost died from using syrup.
He concluded by saying he still suffers from stomach problems due to his addiction and emphasized the importance of staying drug-free. He urged young artists and fans worldwide to avoid following trends and break the cycle, expressing his love and desire for them to live long and fulfilling lives.
As a long-time fan, it was really brave of Lily Allen to share so much of her personal struggles in 2018 with both her album No Shame and her memoir My Thoughts Exactly. She was incredibly open about her past battles with addiction, admitting she’d been using cocaine and drinking heavily – she described herself as being “parasitically drunk” at times. Things came to a head, she explained, when she accidentally hit Orlando Bloom with her head at Kate Hudson’s Halloween party and actually knocked herself unconscious. Apparently, Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin stepped in and organized an intervention after that incident – it must have been terrifying for everyone involved, but it clearly showed how much they cared.
In an interview with The Guardian, she revealed a period of deep unhappiness, explaining, “I felt completely unfulfilled. I remember one morning feeling so desperate that I even considered trying heroin, because nothing else seemed to help.”
The actor known for The Parent Trap struggled with cocaine addiction during the 1980s, leading him to seek treatment in 1990. He later shared on Today that he came of age in the 1960s and 70s, a time when attitudes towards drug use were very different.
He confessed that during the 1980s, he was using cocaine almost every day, to the point where it was impacting his finances. He described desperate moments of pleading with God to help him stop, often right before work, only to find himself rationalizing his use just hours later, thinking it wasn’t a serious problem.
He described a powerful experience – what he called seeing a white light – where he felt he was either dying or losing everything important in his life. He then had to explain this to his then-fiancée, Meg Ryan, and afterwards, he decided to get help. This, he said, marked the end of his struggle with cocaine.
Following an incident at a Newport Beach hotel where he attempted to break down his own door, Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte began treatment for alcohol addiction in 2018. His representative stated to TopMob News that Lochte had been struggling with alcohol for years, and it had become a harmful cycle. He recognized the need for professional help and started treatment right away.
According to a recent statement, Ryan understands that overcoming this illness is crucial – not only to prevent future regrets, but also to be a devoted husband and father, and to have a chance at competing in his fifth Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020 and regaining his position as a top swimmer.
Despite knowing you shouldn’t get sober for another person, Jason Ritter credits his relationship with Melanie Lynskey as a key factor in his decision to stop drinking.
He realized how wonderful she was and believed she deserved someone truly special. Appearing on The Drew Barrymore Show in March 2023, he admitted he didn’t think he was that person, feeling he was ‘a little bit too crazy’ for her.
However, as Ritter noted to TopMob News, he now sees that sobriety is ultimately a personal choice.
He remembers that in the beginning of their relationship, it was simpler to justify his actions by saying he was doing them for her. He admits he didn’t value himself much then, and was more concerned with protecting her feelings than his own. Initially, claiming he was acting for her was a convenient explanation. Now, however, he’s motivated by his own well-being.
The country singer has been sober for almost ten years, but achieving that took a lot of work. His struggle with alcohol and painkillers started right after high school and continued even as his music career grew. He admitted to People magazine that he always kept a black leather laptop bag nearby filled with Jagermeister or vodka, and would drink from it every hour and a half to two hours. He also took a pill or two every three to four hours.
Despite everything, it didn’t hinder his accomplishments. “I wasn’t falling apart,” he explained. “Actually, I was more productive then than I am today, and that’s what really worried me.”
In late 2011, he was hospitalized with pancreatitis and warned that his life was in danger if he continued drinking. He admitted he initially tried to cut back on his own, setting daily limits like only taking a couple of pills or drinking a certain amount of alcohol and marking the bottle to track his progress. However, he found it difficult to maintain, as social events would often derail his efforts. “It would work for a couple of days—and then somebody throws a party,” he remembered.
Let me tell you, hitting rock bottom is a really tough place to be, and sometimes you need to admit you can’t handle things alone. That’s exactly what happened to me. By December 2011, I realized I needed professional help, so I checked into rehab. Honestly, it was incredibly frustrating and embarrassing to ask for help – I’m usually a very determined person! But this was one battle I just couldn’t win on my own. It took admitting that to finally start getting better.
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2025-11-03 00:50