Barry Keoghan is reflecting on what made him the man he is today.
The young actor from Saltburn, who had the misfortune of losing his parents to drug addiction while he was still a child, is sharing his personal experiences.
Barry shared with Hollywood Authentic that both his father and mother, Debbie, succumbed to the same unfortunate circumstances. When he was just 12 years old, his mother tragically passed away. Additionally, he has sadly lost two uncles and a cousin due to drug-related issues.
He added, “It seems like that’s enough to make someone think, ‘If I get involved here, I’m in trouble.’ Yet, our desire to learn can be overwhelming. At times, it brings advantages, and at other times, it leads to difficulties. In my case, it led to complications.
Looking back, Barry has painful memories from growing up in his Dublin hometown.
As a kid here, I vividly recall moments when my mother’s cries would echo through the front door as she fought her addiction, scrambling to find funds for her next fix.
The mother of the actor from Dunkirk struggled with a heroin addiction right up till her death in 2003, following a stint in rehabilitation.
Reflecting on those days, I can’t help but remember the advice we received: “Stay put, stay in bed.” At that moment in time, my brother Eric Keoghan and I were as close as two peas in a pod. We were told not to venture downstairs, not even for the chance to embrace our mother, who was going through a tough time.
After the passing of his mother, Barry spent the remainder of his childhood moving between various foster families, until he eventually lived with his “grandmother,” Patty. It was during his time in primary and secondary school that he began to develop an affinity for acting, although this passion was momentarily hindered when he was temporarily barred from participating in school plays due to his assertive and mischievous behavior.
At some point, the actor portraying the Eternals struggled with an addiction that he had to confront on his own.
The 32-year-old clarified, ‘I’ve stopped denying it now. I acknowledge that I struggle with an addiction, and yes, I am an addict. Once you admit that truth, you’re able to progress and learn how to deal with it effectively.’
Regarding Barry, he mentioned that not even the arrival of his 2-year-old son, Brando (with whom he co-parents Alyson Sandro), managed to break him free from his harmful routines.
He went on to say, “When you visit LA, you’re really going to Hollywood – where all the action happens. There’s an incredible amount of stress and a unique lifestyle that can be both beneficial and detrimental. It’s just a matter of being in the right place at the right time, and it turns out that you’re the one who gets involved. I have physical reminders to show for it – these scars.
In the past few months, the man who played Batman has started to acknowledge his challenges and is now dedicating his efforts towards improving as a parent.
Barry remarked, “I’ve found inner tranquility now, taking responsibility for my actions. I’m embracing the situation, living in the moment, and finding satisfaction in it all. I am, indeed, a father.
In my eyes, I’ve truly reached a milestone. I want to express my regret, predominantly towards myself, for the anguish I’ve caused others and myself.
For more celebrities that have opened up about addictions and sobriety, keep reading.
Back in October 2018, the actor who played American Pie shared on Instagram that it had been a whole year since he stopped using alcohol, expressing joy and inspiration about his achievement.
5 years back, I found myself grappling under the burden of my excessive alcohol and drug use, which had become an unmanageable obsession in my life. In retrospect, I penned down that quitting was indeed a tough journey.
He went on to say, “Despite a few hiccups along the way, I’ve successfully completed one year without alcohol. This achievement makes me incredibly proud and is among my greatest accomplishments. If you find yourself in a difficult situation, remember there’s always hope. Don’t let shame hold you back. Together, we can overcome this.
In time, he looked back on his battle against addiction and the great measures he took to conceal his fight.
During therapy sessions, I’m addressing various issues. However, following a productive session, I recently decided to end therapy and headed to the liquor store. There, I purchased a bottle of vodka, drank it, and then drove home. My intention was to get drunk enough to detach from my current state and avoid feelings.” (March 2024 episode of his wife Jenny Mollen’s All the Fails podcast)
He commented, “I had everything planned perfectly. I made sure not to drink so much that I couldn’t engage in a conversation with you. In fact, I kept refilling the bottles at the bar frequently.
The two-time champion of the FIFA Women’s World Cup has been candid about her past abuse of Adderall as she dealt with injuries during her college soccer years.
She stated on an episode of the Question Everything with Danielle Robay podcast in 2025 that she had become heavily reliant on Adderall and was abusing it. She admitted to taking it frequently, even going for extended periods without sleep. She described her behavior as reckless, fearing she could have a heart attack. She also mentioned crushing and snorting the medication, which she acknowledged was highly problematic.
However, in the midst of her struggle, her college coach Anson Dorrance was there to support her.
She shared, “It became extremely dark, requiring significant changes on my part,” she said. “Anson often asked me to read books, and I picked up one titled ‘Man’s Search for Meaning‘ which centers around the theme of suffering and redefining it. This book transformed my life.
The Valley star shared his decades-long battle with drugs in March 2025 after going to rehab.
In his appearance on the March 4 episode of Bravo’s Hot Mic podcast, Jax confessed that he is struggling with addiction. Specifically, he has problems with cocaine use. It takes a lot for him to admit it openly.
He went on to say, ‘I’ve had periods of struggling with this issue since I turned 23, and now I’m 45. At certain points, I managed to avoid it altogether, but at other times, I found myself indulging excessively.’
Apart from quitting cocaine, Jax has also stopped consuming alcohol for good reasons. He acknowledges that these substances often go together for him, as he finds it hard to use cocaine without drinking. To put it simply, he decided to abstain from both. Currently, I’m happy to share that he is 82-83 days sober, which marks the longest period in his life without using either substance.
In 2022, the actor who played Spider-Man in “No Way Home” decided to quit drinking alcohol as he felt it had control over him. Holland admitted on the “On Purpose with Jay Shetty” podcast that he was addicted to alcohol and considered anyone who drinks daily to potentially have an issue.
As a lifestyle connoisseur, allow me to share a personal observation: You might find yourself at a point where you think, “Wow, I could’ve skipped that final drink last night,” followed by a painful reality check when you wake up the next day with a throbbing headache.
After adopting this new lifestyle, Holland has found that he sleeps more soundly and manages issues more effectively.
He confided, “Previously, problems that arose on the set used to upset me, but now I can handle them more easily.” He added, “I experienced remarkable mental clarity. I felt more vibrant. I felt stronger.
In simpler terms, the main character from “The Hunt for Red October” seldom discusses his long-standing struggle with sobriety, a battle he’s been fighting for nearly four decades.
He mentioned that he doesn’t often talk about this topic,” he said during his May 2024 podcast appearance. “However, he does bring it up occasionally when it seems appropriate. He has been sober for 39 years, since February 23, 1985.
Describing his life shift after relocating from New York City to Los Angeles in 1983, Alec elaborated on the struggles he faced, stating, “For two years straight, I battled a scorching issue. I’d guess I inhaled cocaine from here to Saturn. We even brought it home. In those days, cocaine was like coffee – everyone was 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.
He mentioned that New York has a calming effect on him, describing it as his home. He enjoys strolling around, discovering new aspects of the city that he’s never noticed before. For instance, he might find himself admiring details on a building he’d previously overlooked, like unique doors. Socializing with friends over meals and coffee is also part of his New York experience.
In an interview with the New York Times in April 2024, the former star of The Princess Diaries announced that she has been sober for over five years. She expressed that this achievement represents a significant milestone for her.
Her thoughts were straightforwardly expressed. She confided, “I instinctively felt it wasn’t suitable for me,” she admitted. “And it felt excessively harsh to have to say, ‘But nothing at all?’ But nothing at all. If you’re sensitive or react severely to something, you don’t debate it. So I chose to stop debating it.
She expressed her satisfaction for having made that choice. She added, “I found it to be a positive change in my life,” she said. “Personally, it helped me move forward instead of dwelling on the past.
At the 2018 Woman of the Year ceremony held by the Peggy Albrecht Friendly House, a home dedicated to helping women overcome addiction to substances and alcohol, Moore shared insights about the self-harming journey that almost halted her professional progression.
Reflecting on my life, I believe there are pivotal moments that significantly influence who we become and the paths we take. At the start of my career, I found myself drifting towards self-destruction in a way that felt relentless, despite any accomplishments I achieved. I always felt like I wasn’t good enough, which led me down a dangerous path. This self-destructive journey rapidly pushed me to a critical juncture, and it wasn’t immediately clear why. Looking back, it might have been some form of divine guidance.
In 2012, Moore expressed gratitude towards two individuals who weren’t well-acquainted with her, as they presented her with a sort of ultimatum to change her ways. She jokingly said, “Unless I was deceased, I had to appear,” emphasizing that she was offered an opportunity to alter the trajectory of her life before it crumbled completely.
Moore remarked, “They observed aspects of me that I was unaware of myself. I’m incredibly thankful for this, as it was their faith in me that allowed me to reach where I am today if they hadn’t given me the chance to show myself.
In 2022, Cyrus revealed that she has been recovering from her Xanax addiction since 2020. She explained to Rolling Stone, “It provided me with the structure I desperately needed at a time when I was yearning for it, as I didn’t want to be aimlessly wandering in my thoughts.” She added, “It brought me hope.
The performer remarked, ‘When I discovered a momentary respite where one could mute their sorrow temporarily, the battle was lost.’
She mentioned that her friends at one point tacitly supported her drug habits, which eventually turned into a deep, bottomless abyss of darkness for her. However, during the pandemic, Cyrus acknowledged struggling with various difficulties and admitted she wasn’t emotionally available. “I was constantly dozing off and falling asleep,” she reminisced. “My head would droop, and my eyes would close because I had sunk so low.
She eventually sought help and noted that “it took some time to get on my own two feet.”
16 years ago, the former star of Parenthood had been abstaining from alcohol and drugs, but in 2020, following a motorcycle accident, they resumed using Vicodin.
For the past eight weeks or so, he mentioned in his “Armchair Expert” podcast, he’s been using these medications quite extensively throughout the day. He’s permitted to do so due to having a prescription for them at a certain dosage. Additionally, he’s also increasing their effect.
He went on to express his dislike for the situation, admitting he’s been dishonest with others. He acknowledged the need to stop, but his tolerance has escalated so rapidly that he’s now consuming eight 30mg doses daily, a quantity he knows will lead to severe withdrawal symptoms. This realization is causing him fear and making him feel isolated. He carries a heavy secret.
Back in 2018, the actress known for playing Halloween roles opened up about her decade-long struggle with opiate addiction that started in the late ’80s following a minor cosmetic surgery to address her inherited puffy eyes. This led to a prescription that significantly impacted her life. “I had a ten-year stretch of stealing and deceiving,” she confessed to People, “but nobody knew, not a soul.
In the summer of 1998, when Curtis’s sister visited and brought prescription painkillers for a rib injury, Curtis admitted she had reached her lowest point. As she recalled, tears welling in her eyes, “I knew she kept them in our guest room closet during her stay.” She confessed that she had taken all the opiates before her sister left. Anticipating her discovery of the missing pills, Curtis wrote a letter and placed it on her sister’s suitcase. Upon returning home, her sister embraced her, expressing love, concern, and a refusal to watch Curtis self-destruct.
On February 3, 1999, I attended my first meeting, marking a significant turning point in my life. That very day, I confided in my filmmaker husband, Christopher Guest, about my long-standing struggle. To my surprise, he expressed disbelief that he hadn’t noticed before. Since then, I’ve remained sober and grateful for the journey ahead.
In 2021, Barrymore publicly announced a significant achievement in her recovery journey. On the show CBS Mornings, she admitted for the first time in a long while, “I haven’t had a drop of alcohol in two and a half years.” She further expressed that giving up alcohol was not beneficial to her life.
I can’t help but be captivated by this incredible feeling. Unveiling our inner selves, our hidden truths, and the fruits of our labor, it’s a remarkable blend of exhilaration and exposure, of freedom and vulnerability!
Later on, Barrymore clarified to the Los Angeles Times that she prefers not to identify as ‘sober’, in order to avoid giving the impression that she is a flawless Puritan.
In 2023, she reflected, “I had been telling myself, ‘I can conquer this, I’ll find a solution,'” but eventually, it dawned on her: “The truth is, I’ve never truly mastered this skill, and I may never do so.
During the early 2000s, the actor known for “A Star Is Born” faced struggles with cocaine addiction. However, his friend Will Arnett intervened and addressed his problematic behavior at that time.
For the first time, it struck me during a 2022 interview on the Smartless podcast that I had an issue with substance abuse, and that moment is something I will always remember vividly.
Credit goes to Arnett for prompting Cooper to make a change. He bravely engaged in a challenging discussion with me, which ultimately led me to consider altering the course of my life.
The actor who played in Fight Club battled alcohol addiction for quite some time, but eventually managed to get sober thanks to Cooper. During the 2020 National Board of Review Annual Awards, he shared this with the audience, saying “Cooper helped me get sober, and every day since then has been happier.
In September 2023, the former star of Cruel Intentions announced on Instagram that it had been the longest stretch since his teenage years that he hadn’t consumed any form of nicotine or cannabis, along with other substances.
He expressed gratitude for the liberation experienced from overcoming addictions and shedding reliance on substances, stating, “Achieving sobriety, gaining mental clarity, and strengthening my spiritual bond is truly fulfilling.
In 2018, while touring and openly commemorating six years without alcohol, the singer left fans astonished when they released the introspective song “Sober”, a confession of her recent relapse.
Mom, I apologize for my state, I’m no longer sober / Dad, please forgive me for the alcohol spilled on the floor / To those who stand by me, we’ve been here before, I’m truly sorry, I’m not in control anymore,” she sang.
A month later, Lovato was hospitalized for a near-fatal overdose.
Two weeks after posting on Instagram, she expressed that her struggle with addiction has always been an open book. She’s come to understand that this disease doesn’t vanish or weaken over time; rather, it’s a battle she’s still fighting and hasn’t completely won yet. At present, she requires some time for healing and prioritizing her sobriety and recovery path. The affection you’ve all shown me will remain etched in my memory, and I eagerly anticipate the day when I can declare victory over this challenge. I’ll keep persevering.
In 2018, she spoke about her struggles with addictions to both sex and alcohol. “My addictive tendencies shift. They move around,” she explained, admitting that in her younger years, she may have had a sexual addiction, as she believed that all problems could be solved through sex. She also opened up about recognizing her problematic drinking habit at some point.
She recalled hitting a low point when she was alone at home, with two bottles of wine already consumed and reaching for the third one, she admitted. It then struck her, ‘Wait a minute. Here you are, alone in this house, about to finish your third bottle of wine? You might have an issue that needs addressing.’
She admitted, “I decided to quit abruptly, or ‘go cold turkey.’ You see, I tend to get carried away and need to be mindful. I can easily become fixated on things. It’s not about the action itself, but the reasons behind it. If you enjoy having a lot of sex, that’s fine, but what motivates you? That’s something you should examine.
One of the Backstreet Boys band members experimented with drugs for the first time prior to filming the music video for “The Call” in 2000. In a later interview with Good Morning America, he admitted that he felt incredibly energetic during the shoot. He achieved sobriety in 2021 and reported significant improvements within a year, including shedding 32 pounds over a span of seven months by eliminating alcohol and fast food from his diet.
In his interview with Today in September 2022, he stated that alcohol consumption led to an increase in his weight, but it also negatively affected his emotional well-being.
Following Mac Miller’s untimely demise, rapper Bow Wow openly shared on Twitter about his past struggle with cough syrup addiction. In a series of tweets, he stated:
“To young ones, stop with these foolish drugs.” He then revealed that during the recording of the FACE OFF album with Omarion, he was addicted to lean (cough syrup). “My attitude, everything changed,” he admitted. “When you saw me on BET going off on Torae, I was high on lean. My fans and even my family turned against me.”
He further confessed that during the UCP tour with Chris Brown, he consumed four times a day. “I was addicted until our show in Cincinnati… I passed out after getting off stage and woke up in the hospital due to withdrawals,” he shared.
“I’ve never felt pain like that before,” Bow Wow continued. “Despite it being summer, I walked around with three hoodies on because I was so cold. I missed the Chicago show of that tour and Baltimore show because I was high and sick!”
He warned his followers, saying: “Drug-free is the way to be. Smarten up, tighten up! We can’t afford to lose any more of you. Not one! I love all of you. Young artists everywhere… don’t follow a trend. Break the cycle. Peace.
2018 saw a raw and open portrayal by the singer, as she confessed to her severe addiction struggles, particularly with cocaine and excessive drinking that left her “parasitically drunk.” This honesty was prompted by the release of her fourth album, No Shame, and memoir, My Thoughts Exactly. Notably, an intervention was organized by Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin following an incident at Kate Hudson’s Halloween party where she inadvertently headbutted Orlando Bloom, causing herself to faint.
She shared with The Guardian, “I felt nothing could touch or fulfill me. One morning during those tough times, I thought to myself, ‘Perhaps I should try heroin since nothing else seems effective.’
Throughout the 1980s, the actor from The Parent Trap struggled with a cocaine addiction that ultimately led him to rehab in 1990. In a later interview on Today, he shared that he grew up during the ’60s and ’70s when there was a more relaxed attitude towards drug use compared to today.
In 2018, he openly confessed that his daily routine during the ’80s involved using cocaine extensively. He also shared that he would frequently plead with God to take away this addiction, promising never to return to it again, as he had to be at work in just an hour. However, by 4 o’clock in the afternoon, his resolve would weaken and he would think, “It’s not so bad.” In simpler terms, he admitted that he was a heavy cocaine user during the ’80s, often struggling with quitting due to his work commitments, but finding it hard to resist by late afternoon.
He shared an intense moment where he felt a powerful, pure light, and in this vision, he saw himself either deceased or losing everything valuable to him. Overwhelmed, he needed to sit down and explain this bizarre incident to his then-fiancée, Meg Ryan. Afterward, he recognized the need for help and decided to seek it out. This marked the end of his tumultuous relationship with cocaine.
Following an event in Newport Beach where the Olympic swimmer attempted to force open his hotel room door, Ryan Lochte decided to seek treatment in 2018. According to his representative, Lochte has been grappling with alcohol addiction for a long time, and unfortunately, it has developed into a harmful behavior for him. He has realized that he needs professional help to conquer this issue and will be seeking immediate assistance.
Ryan understands that overcoming this disease immediately is crucial for him to prevent future mistakes, to excel as a husband and father, and if he aims to reach his goal of regaining dominance in the pool during the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
Despite understanding that it’s generally advised against, getting sober for someone else isn’t the norm, but the former star of “Parenthood” found his decision to quit drinking was significantly influenced by his relationship with actress Melanie Lynskey.
In his interview on The Drew Barrymore Show in March 2023, he expressed that at some point he realized how extraordinary she was and believed she would be perfect for someone who truly deserved her. However, he didn’t feel like he fit the bill. Instead, he felt a touch unstable or out of sorts.
However, as Ritter noted to TopMob News, he now sees that sobriety is ultimately a personal choice.
In the beginning stages of their relationship, he explained that he found it simpler to claim he was acting for her because, during that period, he didn’t feel particularly valuable. He added that his concern for causing himself harm paled in comparison to the pain he feared he might inflict on her. Consequently, at first, saying “I’m doing this for her” came more easily to him. Now, however, he is acting for his own sake.
For almost a decade now, the country musician has maintained sobriety, but achieving this milestone was a challenging journey. His struggle with alcohol and painkillers started shortly after high school graduation, persisting even as his career gained momentum. He confessed that he always had a black leather laptop bag filled with bottles of Jagermeister or vodka within easy reach. Every hour and a half to two hours, according to him, it was time for a few strong pulls from the bottle. And every three to four hours, he would need a couple of pills. As shared earlier in an interview with People magazine.
As he confessed, it didn’t hinder his achievements at all. He wasn’t faltering or struggling; instead, he was in top form. Remarkably, he composed more tunes back then than he does currently. That was the truly terrifying aspect.
In late 2011, he ended up in the hospital due to pancreatitis, and was warned that if he continued drinking, he might not live to see his next birthday. He attempted to cut back on his own terms, thinking things like “I’ll just take two pills today” or “I’ll only drink this much from my bottle and make a mark on it,” but it rarely lasted more than a few days before someone would throw a party.
In the end, he finally asked for assistance and admitted himself into rehab on December 18, 2011. “I reached a point where I realized I needed help that I couldn’t provide myself,” Gilbert explained. “It angered me immensely and brought great shame upon me. Despite being quite determined, this was one aspect of my life I just couldn’t conquer.
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2025-05-23 22:07