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Jax Taylor is sharing new details on just how bad his cocaine addiction really was.

Indeed, the actor who plays The Valley, having just shared his long struggle with drug addiction and present efforts towards sobriety, disclosed that he possessed an uncanny ability to detect illegal substances wherever he traveled across the globe by simply scenting them.

Jax playfully told Tom Schwartz during their recent podcast chat that he seemed to have an uncanny ability to locate something, regardless of where they were, even if it meant scouring a new state or country for just a few minutes.

Tom confessed that he knew about Jax’s drug problem, as it was evident by the fact that “his eyes appeared unusually large due to strain or shock.

Meanwhile, Jax explained he used cocaine to keep the party going.

The individual, aged 45 and parent to 4-year-old Cruz with separated partner Brittany Cartwright, acknowledged that he found himself in a situation where socializing was essential. He explained, “It served a social purpose for me. In the initial stages, I used it due to the thrill, but later on, I used it to stay awake as I’d usually tire around 9 or 10 at night.

Jax shared that viewers can expect to follow his path towards sobriety, including a stay in rehab in July 2024, during season two of The Valley, which started this month. He is well aware of how challenging it might be for him to witness his battles being depicted on the Bravo show.

The reality star expressed that they are aware of their current state and can reflect on their past, acknowledging that they were not a good person before, but are stronger now. They have worked hard to reach their current position and want viewers to remember that the show was filmed a year ago, so their life has evolved since then. Their relationships and circumstances have changed significantly, which shows how much they’ve grown.

Speaking from a place of unwavering fandom, I can’t help but express my concern and admiration for Jax, who’s been bravely sharing his journey with addiction since March. Lately, he’s disclosed that there’s another layer to his struggle – a revelation that only adds to my respect for this incredible individual.

In an interview with Keltie Knight for TopMob News, which aired on April 10th, Jax, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder last year, stated that he doesn’t view drugs and alcohol as the issue. Instead, he admitted that he neglected his mental health altogether and used these substances to hide from it.

He explained, “For two hours, I can escape from all my troubles.” This includes dealing with my bipolar disorder, going through a divorce, being separated, losing friends, working on a TV show, and other stressors. It’s a lot to handle, so sometimes I turn to alcohol and drugs for relief.

Jax expressed that he’s doing great after being sober for 132 days, explaining that he goes to therapy regularly, attends AA meetings frequently, has a wonderful sponsor, and is guided by a knowledgeable life coach.

Keep reading for more celebs who’ve gotten candid about their addiction and sobriety journeys.

Speaking about Jax’s current situation since he first shared his struggle with addiction in March, he lately disclosed that there existed an additional element contributing to his predicament.

In an interview with Keltie Knight for TopMob News, which aired on April 10th, Jax stated that he believes his mental health issues, not drugs or alcohol, were the real problem. He admitted that instead of dealing with these issues, he used substances to hide them.

He explained, “For two hours, I get a break from all my concerns – my bipolar disorder, divorce, separation, lost friendships, the TV series, and everything else. The weight of it all is immense, so alcohol and other substances provided some relief.

Mentioning that it had been 132 days since his last drink during their conversation, Jax expressed that he was “doing exceptionally well” and elaborated by stating, “I’m attending therapy sessions regularly, and I go to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings four times a week. I have an excellent sponsor, as well as a fantastic life coach.

Keep reading for more celebs who’ve gotten candid about their addiction and sobriety journeys.

The two-time winner of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Cup has openly discussed her past misuse of Adderall as a means to cope with injuries during her college soccer years.

On the Question Everything with Danielle Robay podcast, I admitted to finding myself deeply entangled in an addiction to Adderall and abusing it excessively. I’d be taking it constantly, often going for days without rest. The situation was intense. I feared I might suffer a heart attack. My behavior was reckless. I resorted to crushing and snorting the pills. It was a serious issue.

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

She shared that it became incredibly dark, requiring significant changes on her part,” she said, “and Anson often asked me to read books. I picked up a book titled ‘Man’s Search for Meaning‘ which explores the topic of suffering and finding new perspectives, and it truly transformed my life.

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

In the March 4 edition of Bravo’s Hot Mic podcast, Jax confessed, “I struggle with addiction, mainly to cocaine. Admitting it aloud is challenging for me.

He said, ‘I’ve had periods of handling this issue since I turned 23, and now I’m 45. At times, I managed to avoid it altogether, but other times, I found myself indulging excessively.’

Apart from quitting cocaine, Jax has also stopped consuming alcohol. He expressed that while he doesn’t believe he has an alcohol problem per se, he finds that the two substances often go together. He shared that he can’t use cocaine without drinking as well. As a result, he decided to abstain from both. Currently, he is 82 or 83 days sober, which marks the longest stretch in his life without using either substance.

In 2022, the actor who played Spider-Man in “No Way Home” decided to quit drinking alcohol because he felt trapped by it. He admitted on the “On Purpose with Jay Shetty” podcast that he was indeed addicted to alcohol and didn’t shy away from admitting this. According to him, anyone who drinks a beer every day might have a small issue with alcohol.

Afterward, you’d find yourself thinking, “Oh, I wish I hadn’t had that extra beer,” the actor added. And the following morning, you’d be dealing with a throbbing headache.

After adopting the new lifestyle, Holland observed that he’s been sleeping more soundly and managing issues more effectively.

He said, “In the past, things that might have upset me on set, I could handle more easily. I was more resilient. I experienced a significant improvement in mental clarity. I felt stronger and healthier.

In simpler terms, the main character from “The Hunt for Red October” rarely discusses his long-standing struggle with sobriety, a battle he’s been fighting for nearly four decades.

He mentioned in his May 2024 podcast that the topic doesn’t come up frequently, but he does bring it up occasionally when it seems appropriate. He’s been sober for 39 years now, having achieved sobriety on February 23, 1985.

Regarding his life shift from New York City to Los Angeles in 1983, Alec described his struggle as an unending daily challenge for two years. He went on to say that he might have consumed as much cocaine as one could from here to Saturn. Essentially, he brought it back home. In those days, cocaine was akin to coffee – everyone seemed to be using it constantly throughout the day.

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

Today, he relies on the city around him. 

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I find New York City to be an ever-revealing gem. Each stroll through its streets uncovers new, captivating details – like the intricate architecture of buildings I’d never noticed before, such as those unique doors that catch my eye. My days are filled with leisurely lunches and invigorating coffees spent in the company of cherished friends.

Back in April 2024, the actress from The Princess Diaries announced that she’s been sober for over five years. In her own words, as she shared with the New York Times, “This five-year mark seems significant to me.

She made it plain that her decision was clear. “I instinctively knew it wasn’t for me,” she confided. “It felt excessively intense when I had to say ‘none’, but none. If you have an allergy or experience a severe reaction to something, there’s no point in arguing with it. So I stopped arguing.

She expressed satisfaction with her choice, adding, “I find things are improving for me.” She further explained, “It provided a boost for me, and I dislike dwelling on negativity.

During her acceptance speech for the 2018 Woman of the Year Award at the Peggy Albrecht Friendly House, a home offering recovery for women battling substance and alcohol addiction, Moore discussed the “damaging course” that almost halted her professional progression.

Reflecting on my past, I recognize that there are pivotal experiences in our lives that mold us into who we become and where we end up. During the early stages of my career, I found myself drifting towards a self-destructive path, despite any achievements or successes I may have had. Regardless, I never felt good enough about myself. I lacked self-worth and this destructive pattern accelerated me towards a critical turning point in my life. It wasn’t immediately clear why this was happening to me at the time, but looking back now, it feels like perhaps it was some sort of divine guidance.

In 2012, Moore acknowledged her gratitude towards two individuals whom she scarcely knew, as they presented her with a crucial choice: alter her lifestyle or risk losing everything. She humorously stated, “Unless I was deceased, I had to show up,” further explaining that this encounter provided her an opportunity to change the trajectory of her life before it was ruined completely.

Moore pointed out, “They observed aspects of me I wasn’t aware of myself.” He expressed his gratitude for this insight, stating, “Without them recognizing and believing in me, I wouldn’t be where I am now.

In 2022, Cyrus disclosed that she has been dealing with recovery from her Xanax addiction since the year 2020. She explained to Rolling Stone magazine, “Xanax provided me with a sense of structure during a time when I desperately needed it. It offered me hope.

The singer remarked, “When I believed I could momentarily mute the world and dull your sorrow, that’s when it ended.

She mentioned that her companions back then seemed to tacitly approve of her drug abuse and it turned into a deep, bottomless abyss for her. However, during the pandemic, Cyrus acknowledged facing difficulties and felt she wasn’t emotionally engaged. “I found myself dozing off frequently,” she reminisced, “unable to maintain consciousness 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.”

16 blissful, sobriety-filled years had been my badge of honor, a testament to my strength and determination… until that fateful year, 2020, when I was involved in a motorcycle mishap that left me with an unbearable pain. In the heat of the moment, I succumbed to the temptation of Vicodin, marking a heartbreaking relapse in my journey.

For the past eight weeks or so, he mentioned on his Armchair Expert podcast, “I’ve been using them quite a bit throughout the day, and I can do so because I have a prescription. However, I also take additional medication to enhance the effects.

He went on, expressing his dislike for the situation. He confessed he was deceiving others and knew he needed to stop. However, his tolerance was escalating so rapidly that he found himself consuming eight 30mg pills daily, a quantity he knew would lead to a harsh withdrawal. This realization filled him with fear, and he began feeling isolated. He carried a heavy secret within him.

Back in 2018, the actress who starred in Halloween opened up about her decade-long struggle with opiate addiction that started in the late ’80s following a minor cosmetic surgery to address her family’s genetic puffiness around the eyes. This led to a prescription that drastically altered her life. Speaking candidly to People, she revealed, “For ten years, I was stealing and scheming, all while keeping it hidden from everyone. No one was aware.

In the summer of 1998, when Curtis’s sister visited and brought painkillers for a rib injury, Curtis realized she had hit rock bottom. “I knew she kept them in the guest room closet,” she shared with the publication, tears welling up as she recalled the moment. “I essentially took all her opiates before she left. I knew when she was packing to go home, she would find her pills missing. I understood that I had to confess to her what I had done, so I wrote her a note and left it on her suitcase. When she returned home, she put her arms around me and expressed her love and concern for me, and she refused to watch me destroy myself.

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 taken aback, stating he hadn’t realized beforehand, and ever since then, she has remained sober.

In 2021, Barrymore, who has previously battled with alcohol and drug addiction, publicly announced a significant achievement in her recovery. On the show CBS Mornings, she stated, “For the first time in a long while, I’m going to share this: It’s been two and a half years since I last had a drink of alcohol.” She added, “I realized that it wasn’t beneficial for me in my life.

She remarked, “It’s quite amusing. Exposing who we are, our secrets, and our accomplishments after putting in so much effort is both exhilarating and exposing simultaneously.

Later on, Barrymore clarified to the Los Angeles Times that she avoids the term “sober” since she doesn’t want others to perceive her as a “sanctimonious Puritan,” striving for perfection.

In the year 2023, she remarked, “For a long time, I’d been telling myself, ‘I’ll conquer this, I’ll find a solution.’ But then it dawned on me: ‘I’ve never truly mastered this, and it’s unlikely that I ever will.’

During the 2000s, the actor from “A Star Is Born” faced challenges with a cocaine addiction. Eventually, his friend Will Arnett intervened and addressed his problematic behavior directly.

Cooper shared on the Smartless podcast in 2022 that it was the first moment he acknowledged his struggle with substance abuse, an experience he would never forget.

Attributing his sobriety to Arnett, Cooper stated, “He bravely initiated a difficult discussion with me which ultimately led me to contemplate and decide to transform my life.

In simpler terms, the main character from Fight Club battled alcohol addiction for quite some time before being assisted by Cooper in achieving sobriety. This individual expressed his gratitude to the audience at the 2020 National Board of Review Annual Awards, stating, “I’ve been happier every day since then, all thanks to this person.

In September 2023, the former star of Cruel Intentions posted on Instagram that it had been the longest time since his teenage years that he hadn’t had any form of nicotine or cannabis in his system, along with some other substances.

He expressed gratitude for the liberation experienced by overcoming addictions and avoiding substance reliance. In other words, he’s enjoying the benefits of being sober, having a clear mind, and feeling spiritually fulfilled.

Following a public celebration of six years without alcohol during her tour in 2018, the singer shocked fans later in the year with the release of the candid song “Sober”, disclosing that she had experienced a relapse.

She apologized, “Mama, I regret to inform you I’ve lost my sobriety again. Daddy, please find it in your heart to forgive me for the spilled drinks on the floor. To those who have always stood by me, we’ve been here before, and I’m truly sorry, but I’m not sober anymore,” she sang.

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

Two weeks ago, she posted on Instagram about her ongoing struggle with addiction: “I’ve always been open about my journey.” She went on to explain that this illness doesn’t simply vanish or lessen over time; instead, it’s something she must persistently battle and hasn’t fully conquered yet. Right now, what she needs is healing time and a focus on her sobriety and recovery path. The support you’ve all given me won’t be forgotten, and I eagerly await the moment when I can say I have emerged victorious. Until then, I will keep fighting.

2018 saw her reflecting on her struggles with compulsive behaviors towards sex and alcohol. “My addictions can switch from one thing to another. When I was younger, I believe I had an addiction to sex in some form, yes, the belief that everything could be resolved through sexual encounters,” she explained, then went on to discuss the moment she recognized her drinking habits had become problematic.

Reflecting on that time when I found myself alone at home with three bottles of wine, I recall hitting a personal low. I could feel myself reaching for the third bottle, and it was as if a voice inside me said, ‘Hold on just a minute. Here you are, all by yourself, consuming your third bottle of wine? Could this be a sign of an issue?’

She shared that she decided to quit abruptly, which is something she often does. You see, she has a tendency to get deeply involved in things. She needs to be cautious and aware of this, as she can easily become consumed by her interests. “It’s not the action itself, but the reason behind it,” she explained further. “If you enjoy having a lot of sexual encounters, that’s fine, but the question is why are you engaging in so much activity? That’s what you should examine.

One of the Backstreet Boys band members experimented with drugs for the first time prior to filming their music video for “The Call” in 2000. He confessed years afterward on Good Morning America that he was incredibly energized during the shoot, almost like being on the walls. He managed to get clean in 2021 and experienced numerous positive changes within a year, such as shedding 32 pounds over a span of seven months by giving up alcohol and fast food.

He expressed during an interview with Today in September 2022 that alcohol consumption led to an increase in his weight, but it also had a detrimental impact on his emotional well-being.

Following Mac Miller’s untimely demise, rapper Bow Wow, previously known as Shad Moss, disclosed on Twitter his past struggle with a cough syrup addiction. In a series of tweets, he shared:

“To the young generation – Stop with these foolish drugs.” He then revealed that during the production of the ‘Face Off’ album with Omarion, he was addicted to lean (syrup) every day. His behavior and attitude changed, leading his fans and family to turn against him. He admitted to sipping 4s at least 7 times a day while on tour with Chris Brown, and this addiction continued until the show in Cincinnati where he passed out backstage and woke up in the hospital due to withdrawal symptoms.

He expressed that he had never felt such pain before. During the summer, he wore multiple hoodies because he was always cold due to his addiction. He missed shows in Chicago and Baltimore because of his drug use. He emphasized that this behavior is not cool and urged everyone to quit these substances for their own good.

“I almost died from syrup,” Bow Wow stated. “To this day, my stomach has been affected, and it hasn’t been the same.” He encouraged his followers to stay drug-free and warned them to be cautious. “We can’t afford to lose any more of you,” he said. “Not one! I love all of you. The young artists around the world… don’t follow a trend. Break the cycle. PEACE.

2018 saw the singer openly discussing her struggles with addiction, following the publication of her fourth album “No Shame” and memoir “My Thoughts Exactly.” As per Allen’s account, she was heavily dependent on cocaine and alcohol, reaching a point where she was often “alarmingly drunk.” A turning point occurred when Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin staged an intervention after she inadvertently headbutted Orlando Bloom at Kate Hudson’s Halloween party and lost consciousness.

In the depths of my struggle, I shared with The Guardian, “I felt an emptiness that nothing seemed capable of filling. One bleak morning, a thought echoed within me: ‘Perhaps it’s time to turn to heroin, as nothing else appears effective.’

During the 1980s, an actor from The Parent Trap struggled with cocaine addiction, which eventually led him to rehab in 1990. In his own words on Today, he grew up in the ’60s and ’70s when there was a significantly different perspective towards this drug.

In 2018, he openly confessed that he was using cocaine almost every day during the 1980s, and it was a part of some movie budgets. He admitted to pleading with God to take away his addiction, promising to never use again since he had to be at work in just an hour. However, by 4 o’clock in the afternoon, he would think that it wasn’t so bad.

He shared an intense, personal moment where he felt as if he was facing the loss of his life or all that mattered to him, which he referred to as a profoundly bright, spiritual experience. He needed to confide in his partner, Meg Ryan, about this unexpected turn of events and subsequently sought professional help. This marked the end of his tumultuous relationship with cocaine.

Following an incident involving a door-kicking episode at a hotel in Newport Beach, Ryan Lochte opted to seek treatment for alcohol addiction in 2018. His representative explained to TopMob News in a statement that Lochte has been struggling with this issue for a long time and it has unfortunately become a harmful pattern for him. He has admitted the need for professional help to conquer his problem and will be receiving immediate assistance.

Ryan realizes that overcoming this illness is crucial for him to prevent future mistakes, to strive as the best husband and father possible, and if he aims to reach his goal of competing again in the pool during the 5th Olympics in Tokyo in 2020.

One significant factor that influenced his decision to quit drinking was his relationship with Melanie Lynskey, despite the understanding that people shouldn’t give up alcohol for someone else.

During his interview on The Drew Barrymore Show in March 2023, he stated, “I realized she was extraordinary, and I believed she would be perfect for someone truly deserving. However, I didn’t think I was worthy enough to be that person; I felt a bit unstable or overly enthusiastic.

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

He explained that in the beginning of their relationship, it felt simpler for him to claim he was acting on her behalf because, during that period, he didn’t think very highly of his own worth. At the time, he prioritized avoiding causing her pain over causing himself harm, so he found it easier to state “I’m doing this for her.” However, now, he is doing it for himself.

For almost a decade now, the nation’s beloved country singer has remained sober, but it was a long and challenging journey to achieve this milestone. His struggle with alcohol and pain medication started shortly after he graduated from high school and persisted even as his career flourished. He admitted that he always kept a black leather laptop bag filled with bottles of Jagermeister or vodka within easy reach. He further confessed that every hour and a half to two hours, he would take several drinks, and every three or four hours, he would consume a couple of pills.

He acknowledged that it didn’t hinder his achievement, stating, “I wasn’t fumbling or stumbling about during the day.” Instead, he emphasized, “I was operating at full capacity – I composed more tunes back then than what I create now. That was the frightening aspect.

Around the end of 2011, he was admitted to the hospital due to pancreatitis, and doctors warned him that if he didn’t stop drinking, he might not live to see his next birthday. However, he continued to procrastinate and tried to moderate his drinking on his own, like saying, “I’ll only take two pills today. I’ll only drink this much from my bottle and make a mark on the bottle.” This worked for a few days, but then someone would throw a party.

Eventually, he recognized his need for assistance and admitted himself into rehab on December 18, 2011. As he put it, “I reached a point where I realized it was beyond my capabilities alone.” It infuriated and mortified him. He is a determined individual, but this was the one aspect of his life that he couldn’t seem to conquer.

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2025-04-18 20:18