Miley Cyrus Reveals Clever Way She Hid the Money She Spent on Drugs

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Miley Cyrus can buy herself “clothing.”

During a retrospective look at her almost twenty-year long career, the Grammy-winning artist disclosed an unusual secret from her past as she worked on her 2015 album “Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz“: her drug use.

Miley explained on The Ringer’s Every Single Album podcast on June 5th, ‘We disguised them as ‘vintage clothing,’ but they were actually large sums of money my accountant received.’ These were amounts equivalent to thousands of dollars she would receive in the form of ‘vintage clothes.’

And as the 32-year-old joked, she kept the ruse up in-person, too.

Every time she encountered me, she’d often inquire, “Where can I find the authentic $15,000 John Lennon T-shirt that you purchased?” Miley added. “I’d respond, ‘Oh, it’s up there. Would you care to have one?’

However, although drugs were significantly influential during that phase of her life, the former Hannah Montana star has since openly discussed her path to sobriety, commencing in 2019.

Throughout the years, Miley clarified in an Apple Music interview on May 21st, I’ve come to understand that sobriety plays a crucial role in my life. It’s like my guiding principle; it sustains me, it gives meaning to my existence. It has transformed my entire world.

Despite confessing that she had a relapse during the COVID-19 pandemic, her current self is a culmination of all her life experiences.

Miley mentioned that the person sitting here now was almost someone she knew well, but life had more to show her. She revealed that there were still lessons for her to learn and that she needed to fall one more time. If it hadn’t been for this situation, she wouldn’t have ended up here.

Despite not feeling particularly proud of her missteps, she is thankful for the path they’ve guided her through in her journey.

Through a series of events, I ended up writing ‘Flowers,’ which in essence unlocked the door to my healing process. It provided me with tremendous healing.” (Miley)

Read on for more stars who have been open about their journeys with addiction and sobriety. 

Last October 2018, the actor famous for American Pie shared on Instagram that he had been sober for a year, expressing joy and offering encouragement.

Approximately five years back, I attempted to give up alcohol and drugs due to their overwhelming hold on me. As I penned then, ‘This is tougher than I ever imagined.’

He went on to say, “After some ups and downs, I’ve successfully completed a year without alcohol. This achievement is something I hold dear among all my accomplishments. If you are facing similar challenges, remember there’s hope for you. Don’t let embarrassment stand in your way. Together, we can overcome this.

Looking back now, I can’t help but reflect upon my personal battle with substance abuse and the extraordinary measures I took to conceal my ongoing struggle. It’s a journey I wouldn’t wish upon anyone, yet it’s one that has taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, self-awareness, and the power of seeking help when you need it most.

He shared on his wife Jenny Mollen’s “All the Fails” podcast in March 2024 that he was attending therapy sessions and addressing various issues. However, following a productive therapy session, he chose to leave therapy, visited a liquor store, bought a bottle of vodka, consumed it, and then drove home. His intention was to get drunk enough to detach from his life, avoid feelings, and momentarily escape the present reality.

I expressed, “I had everything carefully planned. I made sure not to overindulge so we could engage in a meaningful conversation. I was constantly swapping out the empty bottles at the bar.

 

The two-time champion of the FIFA Women’s World Cup has been candid about her past misuse of Adderall while dealing with injuries during her college soccer days.

In a 2025 episode of the “Question Everything with Danielle Robay” podcast, I openly confessed my struggle: I had become compulsively reliant on Adderall and was abusing it excessively. I found myself consuming it constantly. My sleep patterns disintegrated, going for days without rest. It was a rollercoaster. I feared I might trigger a heart attack. I was overpowering it, often by snorting it. The situation had spiraled out of control.

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, and Anson encouraged her to read books. One book she started reading was titled “Man’s Search for Meaning” which discusses enduring hardship and redefining it; this book significantly transformed her life.

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

During the March 4th episode of Bravo’s Hot Mic podcast, Jax confessed, “I struggle with addiction, mainly to cocaine. It’s tough for me to admit it openly.

He mentioned, “I’ve had periods of dealing with this issue, off and on, from the time I turned 23 until now, at age 45. At some points, I’d manage to avoid it, but other times, I found myself engaging in it quite intensely.

Apart from quitting cocaine, Jax has also chosen to abstain from alcohol for good reasons. He acknowledges that these substances often go together and he can’t use one without the other. Therefore, he decided to give up both substances altogether. I should mention that he is currently 82 or 83 days free from using either substance, which marks the longest period in his life without relying on them.

Actor Tom Holland, known for his role in Spider-Man: No Way Home, gave up alcohol consumption in 2022 as he felt trapped by it. He admitted on the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast that he had an addiction to alcohol and was not denying it. In his opinion, anyone who drinks beer daily might have a small problem.

Afterward, you’d find yourself at a point where you might think, “Gosh, I wish I hadn’t had that final drink,” explained the actor. The next morning, you’d likely be dealing with a throbbing headache.

After adopting this new lifestyle, Holland discovered that he sleeps more soundly and is able to manage difficulties more effectively.

He confided, “Issues that typically would frustrate me on set, I was able to handle calmly.” He added, “My mental state improved significantly. I felt more robust in both mind and body.

The main character from “Hunt for Red October” seldom discusses his alcohol recovery process, a journey that started nearly four decades back.

During a recent podcast interview in May 2024, I shared that I don’t often delve into this topic, but when it aligns with the context, I do bring it up. It’s been 39 years since I achieved sobriety, which happened on February 23, 1985.

Describing his life shift after relocating from New York City to Los Angeles in 1983, Alec recounted, “For two years straight, I grappled with a blazing issue, and it felt like I inhaled cocaine from here to Saturn. We brought that home with us. Essentially, cocaine was as commonplace as coffee at the time; it seemed everyone was using 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 brings him peace, revealing his home. “I stroll around and discover new details I’ve never seen before in it. A building might catch my eye and I’ll think, ‘Wow, I never realized that about that building, those doors.’ I spend leisurely meals and conversations over coffee with friends.

Back in April 2024, the actress who starred in The Princess Diaries announced that it had been over five years since she last drank alcohol. Speaking to the New York Times, she expressed that this accomplishment felt significant to her, stating, “It’s a notable achievement for me.

Her thoughts were straightforwardly articulated: “I instinctively knew it wasn’t suitable for me,” she confided. “It felt overpowering to have to say ‘absolutely not,’ but absolutely not. If you’re sensitive or have a severe reaction to something, you don’t debate it. So I stopped debating it.

She’s pleased with her choice, as she said, “I find myself thriving in this situation.” For her, it served as a stepping stone rather than a place of dwelling on negative emotions. And she prefers to move past them swiftly.

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 shared insights on the self-damaging course that came close to halting her professional journey.

Reflecting on my life, I believe there are pivotal moments that mold our identity and future, and during the initial phase of my career, I found myself slipping into a self-destructive pattern with seemingly no end in sight. No matter the accolades or achievements, I couldn’t shake this feeling of not being good enough. My self-worth was non-existent, and this destructive path led me to a critical crossroads. At the time, it wasn’t clear what was causing this, but looking back, it seems like some higher power may have been guiding me.

In 2012, Moore acknowledged her gratitude towards two individuals she barely knew for setting a challenging proposition for her – a turning point in her life. She humorously expressed, “Unless I was deceased, I had to attend.” She further explained that this encounter provided her with an opportunity to alter the trajectory of her life before it faced ruin.

Apparently, others perceived more of my abilities than I did myself,” Moore pointed out. “I am incredibly thankful for this insight, as it was their faith in me that enabled me to reach where I am now.

In 2022, Cyrus revealed she has been recovering from her Xanax addiction since 2020. She explained to Rolling Stone that the drug provided structure during a time when she desperately needed it. “I didn’t want to be aimlessly wandering in my thoughts,” she said. “It gave me something to hold onto, some sense of hope.

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

She mentioned that her friends at one point tacitly supported her drug habits, and it transformed into a deep, endless abyss for her. However, during the pandemic, Cyrus admitted she faced difficulties and felt emotionally distant. “I was constantly falling asleep,” she reminisced, “and I couldn’t manage to stay awake or keep my eyes open because I had gone so far down that path.

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 living a sober life until a motorbike accident in 2020 led him to resume using Vicodin after a prolonged abstinence period.

Over the past two months or so, it’s been unclear… He admitted during his Armchair Expert podcast that he spends a significant amount of time on these medications. He is permitted to use them at certain levels due to a prescription, but he also increases their effect.

He went on to express his dislike for the situation, admitting he was deceiving others. He recognized the need to stop, but his tolerance was escalating so rapidly that he found himself consuming eight 30mg pills daily, a quantity he knew would lead to a severe withdrawal. This realization filled him with fear and a growing sense of isolation, and he carried a heavy secret within him.

Back in 2018, the actress who played Halloween spoke openly 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 puffy eyes. This led to a prescription that significantly altered her life. She confessed to People magazine, “For 10 years, I was stealing and manipulating situations, keeping my addiction hidden from everyone.

In the summer of 1998, when her sister came for a visit and carried some prescribed painkillers for a rib injury, Curtis realized she had reached her lowest point. “I could see those pills in her suitcase, kept in our guest room closet,” she shared with the publication, tears welling up as she remembered. “I essentially took all her opiates. As she was about to leave, I knew she would repack her suitcase and notice her missing pills. I felt compelled to confess to her what I had done. So, I wrote her a note and left it on her suitcase. When I returned home that day, she hugged me, expressing love and concern, and telling me she wouldn’t stand by and watch me take my own life.

On February 3, 1999, she participated in her initial gathering, which coincided with the day she shared her battle with substance abuse for the first time with her filmmaker spouse, Christopher Guest. “He couldn’t believe he hadn’t noticed before,” Curtis commented, further stating that she has remained abstinent ever since.

In 2021, Barrymore, who has previously battled alcohol and drug addiction, announced a significant achievement in her recovery journey. On CBS Mornings, she shared, “For the first time in a long while, I’m proud to say that it’s been over two and a half years since my last drink of alcohol.” She added, “I’ve come to understand that abstinence from alcohol is not beneficial for me in my life.

She stated, “It’s quite amusing. When we unmask ourselves, expose our secrets and achievements after putting in so much effort, it feels both empowering and exposing simultaneously.

Later on, Barrymore clarified to the Los Angeles Times that she refrains from using the term “sober” as she doesn’t wish to be perceived as a flawless, Puritan-like individual.

In the year 2023, she expressed, “For a long time I told myself, ‘I’ll get the hang of it, I’ll find a solution,’ but eventually I understood: ‘This is something I’ll never truly master.’

During the 2000s, the actor from “A Star Is Born” battled a cocaine addiction. However, friend Will Arnett intervened and addressed his concerning behavior directly with him.

During his 2022 interview on the Smartless podcast, Cooper shared that it was the first moment he acknowledged he had an issue with substance abuse, an experience he would always remember vividly.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but credit Arnett for being the catalyst. He dared to have a challenging conversation with me, which ultimately led me to embark on a journey of self-transformation and choosing to alter the course of my life.

In simpler terms, the main actor of Fight Club battled alcohol addiction for many years before being assisted by Cooper to achieve sobriety. He expressed his gratitude during the 2020 National Board of Review Annual Awards when Cooper presented him with an award, saying, “I’ve been happier every day since then, all thanks to this man.

Come September 2023, the star from the iconic series “Cruel Intentions” proudly announced on Instagram that it had been an unprecedented stretch for me – a stretch longer than any since my teenage years – without some form of nicotine or marijuana in my body (alongside other substances). This milestone felt like a significant victory in my personal journey.

From my perspective as a lifestyle guide, I’d say, “I’m grateful for the liberation that comes from overcoming addiction and freeing myself from substance dependence. The sense of sobriety, clarity, and spiritual alignment I now experience is truly empowering.

Following a public announcement about achieving six years of sobriety during her tour in 2018, the singer surprised fans later in the year by releasing the candid song “Sober,” disclosing that she had experienced a relapse.

She lamented, “Mama, I’m truly sorry but I’ve lost my sobriety again / Daddy, please find it in your heart to forgive me for the alcohol that stained the floor / To those who have always stood by me, we’ve walked this path before, I’m so sorry, I’ve lost my sobriety.” She expressed her sorrow through song.

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

Two weeks ago, she shared on Instagram that she has been open about her struggle with addiction. “I’ve come to understand that this disease doesn’t go away on its own,” she wrote. “It’s an ongoing battle I’m still fighting…At this moment, I need time to recover and prioritize my sobriety. The kindness you’ve shown me won’t be forgotten, and I eagerly anticipate the day when I can say I have triumphantly overcome this. Until then, I’ll keep battling.

In 2018, she spoke about her struggle with addictions to both sex and alcohol. “My addictions can change. They shift around,” she explained, admitting that in her younger years, she believed that all her problems could be solved by having sex. She also shared an experience where she recognized she had developed a concerning drinking issue.

She recalled hitting a particularly low point when she was alone at home, with two bottles of wine already consumed and reaching for a third. It struck her then, ‘Wait a minute. Here you are, alone in this house, on your third bottle of wine? This could be a sign of a problem.’

She shared, “I chose to quit abruptly, or ‘go cold turkey’. You see, I tend to indulge intensely in things and need to stay vigilant. I can easily become engrossed in activities. It’s not the actions themselves that matter, but the reasons behind them. Why are you engaging in these activities? That’s what you should question. If you enjoy having a lot of sex, that’s fine, but ask yourself why you’re doing it so frequently.

A member of the Backstreet Boys admitted to experimenting with drugs for the first time prior to filming their 2000 music video “The Call.” He confessed years afterward on Good Morning America that he felt incredibly energetic during the shooting, but ultimately sought sobriety in 2021. A year later, he experienced multiple health improvements, such as shedding 32 pounds over a seven-month period by eliminating alcohol and fast food from his diet.

In an interview with Today in September 2022, he stated that drinking led to weight increase for him. However, he added that it also negatively impacted his mental wellbeing.

Following Mac Miller’s untimely demise, the rapper formerly known as Bow Wow admitted on Twitter that he had battled an addiction to cough syrup in the past. In a series of tweets, he shared his struggles:

“To the young ones – quit these foolish drugs,” he wrote. “I’m about to reveal something. During the creation of our album FACE OFF, I was high on lean every day! When you saw me going off on Torae during BET, I was high on lean. My attitude changed, and even my fans and family turned against me.”

“I never promoted lean in my songs,” he continued. “During the UCP tour with Chris Brown, I consumed 4-Hydrocodone at least seven times a day. I was addicted until our show in Cincinnati… I came off stage and passed out, waking up in the hospital due to withdrawals.”

“I’ve never felt such pain before,” Bow Wow added. “Despite it being summer, I wore three hoodies because I was so cold. I missed the Chicago and Baltimore shows of that tour because I was high and sick! That’s not cool, and I did it to be trendy! Kick that habit! Be a good son or daughter. Be the best version of yourself. I’ll start being more vocal. We must protect the youth from an early demise. Parents, watch your children closely. Talk to them. We want you all to live, man. I almost died because of syrup.”

“To this day, my stomach…will never be the same, and it hasn’t been,” he concluded. “Drug-free is the way to go. Smarten up, tighten up. We can’t afford to lose any more of you. Not one! I love all of you. The young artists everywhere – don’t follow trends. Break the cycle. PEACE.

2018 saw the singer, Gwyneth Paltrow, revealing considerable honesty about her struggle with addiction following the simultaneous releases of her fourth studio album “No Shame” and memoir “My Thoughts Exactly”. She confessed to a severe habit of cocaine abuse and excessive drinking that left her in a state of persistent intoxication. This led to an incident at Kate Hudson’s Halloween party where she unintentionally headbutted Orlando Bloom, resulting in a loss of consciousness, which ultimately prompted an intervention by Paltrow and her then-husband Chris Martin.

In conversation with The Guardian, she expressed, “I felt nothing could touch or fulfill me. One morning during those difficult times, I found myself contemplating, ‘Perhaps it’s heroin, since nothing else seems effective.’

Throughout the 1980s, the actor known for The Parent Trap struggled with cocaine addiction, which eventually led him to rehabilitation in 1990. In a later interview on Today, he shared that he grew up during the ’60s and ’70s when the public’s perception of drugs was significantly different.

In his 2018 admission, he confessed that he was using cocaine nearly every day during the 1980s. He often found himself pleading with God to take away his addiction, promising to never use again, as he had to be at work in just an hour. However, by the afternoon, he would think, “It’s not so bad.” This could be rephrased as: In 2018, he openly acknowledged that he was a regular cocaine user during the 1980s. Many nights, he would pray to God to take his addiction away, promising never to use again due to his work commitments. Yet, by the afternoon, he would often think that his addiction wasn’t so bad.

He shared an intense moment where he felt like he was facing either death or losing everything that mattered to him, which I refer to as a profound, blinding light experience. He needed to sit down and explain this to his then-fiancée, Meg Ryan. Afterward, he recognized the need for help. This marked the end of his romantic relationship with drugs and cocaine.

Following an incident at a Newport Beach hotel where Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte attempted to break down his own room door, it was reported in 2018 that Lochte decided to seek treatment for alcohol addiction. His representative stated to TopMob News: “Ryan has struggled with alcohol dependency for quite some time, and unfortunately this struggle has led him into harmful patterns. He has admitted he needs professional help to overcome his issue, and he will be receiving immediate treatment.

Ryan understands that defeating this illness is crucial for him to prevent future mistakes, to become the best husband and father possible, and if he aims to regain his top form in swimming for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Despite understanding that it’s typically advised against, getting sober for someone else isn’t recommended, but the former star of “Parenthood” found his decision to quit drinking was significantly influenced by his relationship with Melanie Lynskey.

During his interview on “The Drew Barrymore Show” in March 2023, he clarified 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 see himself as that person, expressing a feeling of being a bit too 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 of their relationship, he found it simpler to claim that his actions were for her because, during that period, he didn’t feel particularly valuable himself. He wasn’t as concerned about causing harm to himself as he was about causing pain to her. Thus, at first, it seemed easier for him to assert, “I’m doing this for her.” However, now, he is doing it for his own sake.

For almost a decade now, the country singer has managed to stay sober, but it was a tough journey to reach that point. His struggle with alcohol and prescription painkillers started soon after he finished high school, and it persisted even as his career took off. He always kept a black leather laptop bag filled with bottles of Jagermeister or vodka within easy grasp, as he admitted in an earlier interview with People. Throughout the day, he would take two or three drinks every hour and a half to two hours, and every three or four hours he would take a couple of pills.

He acknowledged that it didn’t hinder his achievements. In fact, he said, “I wasn’t wandering aimlessly throughout the day.” Instead, he was at peak performance — he penned more tunes back then than he does currently. That was the truly terrifying aspect.

Towards the end of 2011, he was admitted to the hospital due to pancreatitis, and was warned that if he continued drinking, he might not live to see his next birthday. However, he tried to cut back on his own terms, saying something like, “Alright, I’ll only take two pills today. I’ll only drink this much from my bottle and make a mark on the bottle,” but it only worked for a few days until someone threw a party.

Eventually, he realized he needed assistance, admitting himself into rehab on December 18, 2011. Gilbert stated, “I reached a point where I knew I couldn’t handle it alone anymore. It enraged and humiliated me. I’m quite determined in general, but that was the one issue in my life I just couldn’t conquer.

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2025-06-07 01:18