Austin Shepard is starting over again.
A former contestant on Love Island USA revealed he’s been sober for 11 days. He recently experienced a relapse in his opioid addiction while filming the spin-off show, Love Island: Beyond the Villa.
The 27-year-old confessed that she was good at hiding her struggles. Speaking on the TMZ podcast Previously On, she explained that she’s able to appear okay and even control situations for a while, but eventually, her addiction became overwhelming and unmanageable.
Austin, who filmed with other stars from Love Island USA – TJ Palma, Charlie Georgiou, and Iris Kendall – jokingly said he just puts on a happy face and pretends everything is fine, admitting, “That’s the salesman in me, just smile and wave and pretend everything is OK.”
However, Austin’s costars quickly picked up on his private struggles.
Austin said Charlie recently contacted him, asking how he was doing. Austin explained that he opened up and shared everything with Charlie, who has been very supportive and loving. TJ and Iris have also been sending him positive vibes and support.
The reality star has also been taking responsibility for staying sober.
He went on to explain that he understood the difficult path ahead. He’d seen many friends succumb to its hardships, and the only outcomes were either death or a life filled with suffering.
As for this relapse, he said, “That was my moment of clarity, finally.”
Achieving that level of clarity wasn’t simple; Austin remembered needing professional support to completely overcome his detox process.
He remembered a particularly bad night when he was completely losing it. He hadn’t slept in days and was very ill, constantly throwing up. It was awful, and he realized he desperately needed medical attention.
Fortunately, Austin was able to find a treatment center where he received excellent care, as he said, “They really took good care of me.”
He also wouldn’t be doing nearly as well without the support of loved ones, especially his father.
Austin said it was great to have his dad with him. He especially appreciated the family support so soon after everything that happened.
For more stars who have detailed their sobriety journeys, keep reading…
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 motivational message.
He shared that he first attempted to stop drinking and using drugs more than five years ago, realizing his addiction had become overwhelming. He admitted it was a difficult process, saying, “It turns out this is really hard.”
He shared that after a difficult journey, he’s been sober for a year, and he’s incredibly proud of this accomplishment. He encouraged anyone who is struggling to seek help, reminding them that there’s no shame in asking 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 recently shared on his wife Jenny Mollen’s podcast, All the Fails, that despite being in therapy and ‘working on things,’ he would sometimes leave a session and immediately go buy a bottle of vodka. He’d drink it and then drive home, explaining that he knew how to drink enough to disconnect from his life and avoid feeling anything difficult.
He explained that he’d carefully planned how much he’d drink, making sure he stayed coherent enough to talk. He mentioned he was constantly switching out the alcohol bottles at the bar.
The two-time World Cup-winning soccer player has publicly discussed using Adderall while recovering from injuries during her time playing college soccer.
She explained on the 2025 podcast, Question Everything with Danielle Robay, that she had become seriously addicted to Adderall and was using it in dangerous ways. She took it constantly, often going 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 taking the drug by crushing and snorting it, describing her behavior as deeply problematic.
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 significantly. Anson encouraged her to read, and she found a life-changing book called Man’s Search for Meaning. The book dealt with the topic of suffering and how to view it differently, and it had a profound impact on her.
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 get clean.
Offset shared a touching 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, though, was when his son noticed his own drink looked different and asked why, which he found incredibly emotional.
Offset explained that the seemingly harmless comment really upset him, adding, “I almost cried when I went to my room.”
The rapper explained he felt guilty as a father. He was worried his son didn’t realize he was using drugs and that even something as simple as his son wanting the same drink made him feel like a bad influence. He was concerned about setting a poor example.
The Academy Award-winning actor has often openly discussed December 29, 1975, the date he stopped drinking.
In an October 2025 interview on The New York Times’ podcast The Interview, he admitted he was driving drunk in California and completely blacked out. He had no idea where he was going until he understood the danger – he could have seriously hurt or killed someone, or even himself, which at the time he didn’t seem to care about. This moment, he said, made him realize he was an alcoholic.
With support from a friend, he started a journey of recovery. In December 2025, he celebrated 50 years of sobriety, sharing a message of hope with others who are facing the same struggles he overcame decades earlier.
He encouraged choosing to embrace life in an Instagram message, repeating the word ‘life’ multiple times to emphasize its importance.
The Valley star shared his decades-long battle with drugs in March 2025 after going to rehab.
Jax revealed on the March 4th episode of Bravo’s Hot Mic podcast that he is struggling with addiction, specifically with cocaine. 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. He’d have periods where he stopped, followed by times when it became much more intense.
Jax stopped drinking and using cocaine at the same time. He explained that while he wasn’t sure he had a drinking problem, he always used cocaine while drinking, so he decided to quit both. He’s now been sober for over 82 days, which is the longest period of abstinence he’s ever experienced.
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, saying, “I was definitely addicted to alcohol, not shying away from that at all.” He believes that even having one drink a day could be a sign of a problem.
The actor explained that you eventually realize a mistake after having one too many drinks. This usually leads to a really bad headache the next morning.
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, famous for his role in Hunt for Red October, rarely discusses his struggle with and recovery from alcohol addiction, which started nearly four decades ago.
You know, it’s not something I often talk about, but it’s a big part of my life. I’ll share when it feels right, but I’m proud to say I’ve been sober for 39 years – February 23rd, 1985, was the day everything changed for me.
Alec described a difficult period following his move to Los Angeles in 1983. He admitted to a serious cocaine addiction, saying he used it constantly for two years – to the point where it felt as common as drinking coffee. He and his friends used it so frequently it felt like they brought the habit back home with them.
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 architectural features on familiar buildings. 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 has been sober for over five years. She told The New York Times that reaching this point feels like a significant achievement.
You know, I’ve always believed in trusting your gut, and that’s exactly what happened for me. I realized something just wasn’t the right fit, and I had to accept that, completely. It felt hard at first – like I should be able to make it work, to say yes to at least something. But then I thought, if I had a serious allergy, I wouldn’t try to force it! So I stopped questioning it and just listened to what my body – and my intuition – were telling me. It’s about honoring your own needs and not feeling pressured to do things that don’t feel right.
She’s glad she made the change. She explained, “I’ve found things are just better overall. It really helped me avoid getting stuck in negative feelings, and I prefer to avoid that.”
When accepting the 2018 Woman of the Year Award from the Peggy Albrecht Friendly House—a program helping women recover from substance and alcohol abuse—Moore discussed how a harmful lifestyle almost ended her career.
I believe we all have key moments that define us and change the course of our lives. Early in my career, I was heading down a very destructive path. Despite any success I achieved, I constantly felt inadequate and had very little self-worth. This quickly led to a crisis, and at the time, I didn’t understand why it was happening – it almost felt like something bigger than myself intervened.
Moore, who received treatment in 2012, expressed gratitude to two strangers who essentially challenged her to get her life back on track. She joked that they told her she needed to show up – unless she wasn’t alive – and gave her an opportunity to change direction before she 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 their support.
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 kept me from spiraling,” she explained, adding that it gave her a sense of hope.
The singer explained that once they discovered a way to temporarily block out feelings and escape the pain, they were finished with whatever was causing it.
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 remembered often falling asleep and being unable to stay awake because she was so deeply affected by her substance use.
She eventually sought help and noted that “it took some time to get on my own two feet.”
Oh my gosh, you guys, I just finished watching Eminem’s documentary, Stans, and it was SO raw. He talked about how badly he messed up with pills, and honestly, it broke my heart. He actually overdosed! And the worst part? He missed Hailie’s birthday party! That was the moment he said things had to change, and honestly, seeing him talk about it… it just proves how amazing and real he is. I’m so glad he’s still here and making music, and I’m so proud of him for getting through that. It was a really tough watch, but so important.
He explained that he became emotional realizing he didn’t want to repeat past mistakes. He described a harsh internal monologue, repeatedly asking himself if he really wanted to miss out on life again. He pushed himself, even using strong language, to prioritize experiencing things, if not for his own sake, then for the sake of those he cared about.
Focusing on making music again played a key role in the Oscar-winning actor’s recovery from addiction.
He said it did something – it switched the light on. He then realized he wasn’t ashamed of being sober anymore. Instead, he started to see his sobriety as a strength, and he felt proud of being able to quit drinking.
The former star of Parenthood had been sober for 16 years when they had a relapse in 2020. This happened after a motorcycle accident and led to them taking Vicodin.
Okay, so, I’ve been completely hooked on these pills for, like, the past couple of months, honestly I’ve lost track of time. I’m taking them all day. The best part? My doctor actually prescribes some, which is great, but… I’m also taking extra, just to, you know, really feel good. It’s a little more than what’s written on the bottle, but hey, it works for me!
He went on to say he was miserable and felt he had to keep lying to those around him. He knew he needed to stop, but his tolerance was increasing rapidly – he was now using eight pills, thirty milligrams each, every day. He realized this was a dangerous amount that would lead to severe withdrawal symptoms. He was becoming increasingly scared and isolated, burdened by a huge secret he felt he couldn’t share.
In 2018, the actress known for her role in Halloween openly discussed her decade-long struggle with opioid addiction. It began in the late 1980s after a small cosmetic procedure to address puffy eyes, which led to a life-altering prescription. She told People magazine that she spent ten years stealing and deceiving others, keeping her addiction a secret from everyone.
Curtis recalls the summer of 1998 as her lowest point. Her sister arrived with prescription painkillers for a broken rib, and Curtis ended up taking them all. Remembering the moment, she explained that she knew her sister would discover the missing pills before leaving. She confessed in a note left on the suitcase. When her sister found the note, 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 that same day, she told her husband, filmmaker Christopher Guest, about her struggles with addiction. She explained that he was surprised he hadn’t realized what she was going through, and she has been sober ever since.
Drew Barrymore, who has openly struggled with alcohol and drug addiction in the past, revealed in 2021 that she had reached a significant point in her recovery. Speaking on CBS Mornings, she shared that she’d been sober for two and a half years, explaining that alcohol simply wasn’t helping her live a fulfilling life.
It’s amazing how freeing it feels to share who we really are and everything we’ve achieved, even though it also makes us feel exposed and vulnerable.
Okay, so Drew was talking to the Los Angeles Times, and honestly, it just makes me love her even more! She said she doesn’t like being called ‘sober’ because she doesn’t want anyone to get the idea she’s suddenly become this super-strict, judgmental person. Like, she’s still her, you know? She doesn’t want that label to make people think she’s become all holier-than-thou. It’s just… so real, and I totally get it!
In 2023, she reflected on her struggles, saying 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 then he first recognized he was struggling with substance use, a moment he said he’ll never forget.
Cooper said Arnett was instrumental in his decision to get sober, explaining that Arnett bravely confronted him, which ultimately led Cooper to change his life for the better.
Edward Norton credited Bradley Cooper with helping him overcome a years-long battle with alcohol. Accepting an award from Cooper at the 2020 National Board of Review Annual Awards, Norton shared, “I got sober because of this guy, and I’ve been happier every day since.”
In September 2023, the former Cruel Intentions star revealed on Instagram that they hadn’t used nicotine or marijuana – or any other substances – for the longest time since their teenage years.
He expressed gratitude for overcoming addiction and substance dependency, saying that achieving sobriety, mental clarity, and a stronger spiritual connection feels incredibly good.
I was SO proud of her when she announced six years of sobriety while she was touring – it felt like such a huge victory! Then, later that year, she dropped “Sober,” and honestly, it completely broke my heart. It was incredibly brave of her to share that she’d struggled and relapsed, but it was just… a lot to process. It felt so raw and real, and I immediately connected with the vulnerability in the song. I’ve been a fan forever, and it just showed me how incredibly human she is.
She sang, filled with regret, apologizing to her parents for losing control and drinking too much. She also expressed gratitude to those who had stayed by her side, acknowledging this wasn’t the first time she’d struggled with this, repeating her sorrow for not being sober.
A month later, Lovato was hospitalized for a near-fatal overdose.
She shared on Instagram a couple of weeks ago that she’s been open about her struggles with addiction. She explained that it’s an ongoing battle, not something that simply goes away. She needs time to focus on getting better and staying sober. She’s incredibly grateful for all the support she’s received and hopes to fully recover, and she’s committed to continuing the fight.
In 2018, she spoke about her struggles with sex and alcohol addiction. She explained that her addictions tended to change over time, and when she was younger, she believed sex could solve any problem. She later realized she had developed a serious issue with drinking as well.
She recalled a 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 just stopped completely. I’m good at doing that – I can cut things out of my life abruptly. I tend to get really focused on things, sometimes to an unhealthy degree, and I have to be careful. It’s not necessarily what you do, but how and why you do it. It’s about the motivations behind your actions. For example, wanting to have a lot of sex is fine, but it’s important to understand why you want that.
Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean revealed he first experimented with drugs before filming the music video for their 2000 hit, “The Call.” He later told Good Morning America that he was extremely out of control during the video shoot. After a setback, he achieved sobriety in 2021 and experienced significant improvements to his health within a year, including losing 32 pounds over seven months by eliminating alcohol and fast food.
Let me tell you, I’m fully committed to this journey, and it’s something I work on every single day. I finally took the advice I’d been hearing from others in recovery, and honestly, it’s completely changed my life for the better. It’s been a really positive shift, and I’m so glad I made the change.
While AJ acknowledged he is “still learning, still growing,” he’s now confident in who he is.
I’ve learned to set personal boundaries, something I didn’t used to do, and it’s been really helpful. I also understand that ‘AJ’ is a public image, but it doesn’t change who I truly am – I’m Alexander James.
Following the tragic death of Mac Miller, rapper Bow Wow—born Shad Moss—revealed on Twitter that he had previously battled an addiction to cough syrup, often called “lean.” He shared a personal story, explaining that during the creation of his “FACE OFF” album with Omarion, he was using lean daily. He admitted to being under the influence during a well-publicized on-stage confrontation with Torae on BET, and throughout the UCP tour with Chris Brown, consuming codeine syrup at least seven times a day. He described a severe withdrawal experience after passing out backstage in Cincinnati, landing him in the hospital.
Bow Wow emphasized the intense pain of withdrawal, recalling needing to wear multiple hoodies even in summer due to feeling cold. He confessed that his addiction caused him to miss shows in Chicago and Baltimore, and he regretted using drugs simply to appear cool. He urged young people to avoid drugs, be good to their families, and strive to be their best selves, stating he would be more open about his past. He expressed a desire to help save young people from similar struggles, encouraging parents to talk to their children about the dangers of drugs.
Bow Wow concluded by sharing that his stomach has never fully recovered, and he remains drug-free. He reiterated his message to young artists and fans around the world: don’t follow trends, break the cycle, and prioritize their health and well-being. He stressed the importance of preserving young lives and expressed his love and support for his fans.
In 2018, the singer opened up about her struggles with addiction, coinciding with the release of her album No Shame and her memoir My Thoughts Exactly. She revealed she had been heavily using cocaine and drinking excessively. Things came to a head when, after accidentally hitting Orlando Bloom with her head at Kate Hudson’s Halloween party and knocking herself unconscious, Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin organized an intervention to help her.
She shared with The Guardian that she felt deeply unfulfilled and unable to find satisfaction in anything. She recalled a particularly low point when she considered trying heroin, feeling that nothing else could alleviate her pain.
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 toward drug use were very different.
He confessed that during the 1980s, his cocaine use was so extensive it rivaled some movie budgets. He described desperate nights pleading with God to help him stop, promising to quit if only he could get through the next hour before work. But by 4 p.m. each day, he’d convince himself that things weren’t so bad after all.
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 entered treatment for alcohol addiction in 2018. According to a statement given to TopMob News, Lochte had been struggling with alcohol abuse for years, and it had become a harmful cycle. He recognized the need for professional help and began 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 good husband and father, and to have a chance at competing in his fifth Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020 and regaining his place as a top swimmer.
Despite knowing you shouldn’t get sober for another person, actor 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 feel up to the task, saying 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.
Looking back on the beginning of their relationship, he explained that he used to tell himself he was making sacrifices for her because he didn’t feel good about himself at the time. He was more concerned with protecting her feelings than his own. At first, it was simpler to justify his actions by saying he was doing it all for her, but now he’s motivated by his own well-being.
The country singer has been sober for almost ten years, but reaching this point was a real struggle. His problems with alcohol and painkillers started shortly after high school and continued even as his career took off. He confessed 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 admitted to taking pills every three to four hours.
Despite his health issues, it didn’t hinder his accomplishments. “I wasn’t falling apart,” he explained. “I was actually more productive then – I wrote more songs back then than I do today, and that’s what really frightened me.”
In late 2011, he ended up in the hospital with pancreatitis and received a stark warning: unless he stopped drinking, he likely wouldn’t live another year. He admitted he initially delayed making a change, attempting to cut back on his own. “I’d tell myself, ‘Okay, just two pills today, and I’ll only drink this much from the bottle,’ and I’d even mark the bottle to keep track,” he remembered. “It would work for a few days, but then someone would have a party and I’d start again.”
Gilbert finally realized he needed help and checked into rehab on December 18, 2011. He explained, “I reached a point where I knew I couldn’t overcome it by myself.” He admitted it was frustrating and humiliating, saying, “I’m usually very determined, but this was the one thing I couldn’t seem to change.”
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2026-03-10 17:54