Emma Roberts will always be the light of dad Eric Roberts‘ eyes.
The actor from Runaway Train has stated he doesn’t have any issues with the actress from American Horror Story, with whom he shares a child with his former partner, Kelly Cunningham.
Eric explained on the April 5th episode of Really Famous With Kara Mayer Robinson that things only seem complicated to people who aren’t involved and don’t understand the situation. Those outside observers create their own interpretations, regardless of what’s actually happening.
And Eric couldn’t help but to rave about Emma, adding, “I’m so proud of my kid.”
Even so, Eric, now 69, admits he struggled as a father at times. He explained that when his daughter, Emma (now 35), was born, he was battling drug abuse and wasn’t emotionally stable.
“I was a wash rag,” he confessed. “I was not to be depended on emotionally whatsoever.”
Eric admitted he was in a really bad place back then, but now fully owns up to his actions.
Even though Eric and Emma had their share of problems throughout their relationship, he often remembers the day she was born and how much it impacted his life. He recalled that baby Emma stopped crying only when he began singing “Happy Birthday” – a song he’d also sung while his first wife, Kelly, was expecting.
The actor, known for his role in The Dark Knight, recalled a deeply moving experience. He described how his newborn daughter, still unable to see clearly, stopped crying and reached for his face. He said it was perhaps the most profound moment of his life – a realization that this new life, carrying his DNA, somehow already recognized him. He was overcome with emotion as she found him.
“She tried to find me,” Eric continued. “It was magic. And I’ll always have that.”
Eric has openly discussed his relationship with Emma, explaining that losing contact with his daughter was the most difficult time in his life.
He explained on the 2024 Inside of You podcast that he feels a lingering sadness, likely due to misunderstandings that will always bother him, simply because everyone makes mistakes and that’s part of being human.
Eric, who has been sober since 1995, recently shared that he’s come to understand his feelings of sadness regarding Emma, with whom he shares a 5-year-old son, Rhodes Robert Hedlund, and who was previously married to Garrett Hedlund.
Eric said he began to come to terms with who he was when his grandchildren were born. He has two grandchildren through his wife Eliza Roberts’ children, and noted that his oldest granddaughter resembles someone named Emma.
For more stars who have been open about their own 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 milestone with a positive and uplifting message.
He first attempted to stop drinking and using drugs more than five years ago, realizing his addiction had become overwhelming. He quickly discovered it wasn’t easy.
He shared that he’s been sober for a year, something he’s incredibly proud of after a challenging journey. He encouraged anyone struggling with addiction to seek help, emphasizing 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 he was struggling with a difficult pattern: he’d attend a therapy session, feel good afterward, and then immediately go buy and drink a whole bottle of vodka before driving home. He explained he’d learned to drink enough to disconnect from his feelings and avoid dealing with the present moment.
He explained that he’d carefully planned how much he’d drink, wanting to stay coherent enough to talk. He mentioned he was constantly refilling the bottles at the bar to manage his intake.
The two-time World Cup-winning soccer player has publicly discussed using Adderall inappropriately while recovering from injuries during her time playing college soccer.
She shared on the 2025 podcast Question Everything with Danielle Robay that she had become seriously addicted to Adderall and was using it in dangerous ways. She explained she was taking it constantly, often going days without sleep. It was an extremely unhealthy period, and she worried about causing serious health problems like a heart attack. She admitted to crushing and snorting the pills, acknowledging it was a very problematic time in her life.
However, in the midst of her struggle, her college coach Anson Dorrance was there to support her.
She described a difficult time where things became very challenging, requiring her to adapt. Anson encouraged her to read, and she discovered the book Man’s Search for Meaning. This book, which explores the topic of suffering and finding new perspectives, had a profound impact on her life.
In October 2025, Migos member Quavo revealed he had been sober from codeine—an opioid often mixed with soda to create the drink known as 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 on the show Baby, This Is Keke Palmer that his oldest son repeatedly asked for pineapple Fanta, even though he rarely drinks soda. The son eventually noticed his dad’s drink was a different color and asked why, which Offset said was a really emotional moment for him.
Offset explained that the seemingly harmless comment really bothered him, adding, “I almost cried when I went back 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 was especially concerned about unintentionally influencing him, even in small ways – like the son wanting the same soda he did. He felt responsible for setting a bad 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 under the influence in California and essentially lost consciousness at the wheel. He described not knowing where he was going until he realized the danger he posed to others – or even himself, which he said he didn’t worry about at the time – and that moment made him recognize he had a problem with alcohol.
With support from a friend, he started a journey of recovery. In December 2025, he celebrated 50 years of sobriety and shared a message of hope with others who are struggling with similar challenges.
He encouraged choosing life in an Instagram message, repeating the word ‘life’ multiple times to emphasize its importance: ‘Life, life, life, and more life!’
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’s 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 sometimes stop, but then other times, it would become a significant problem again.
Jax stopped drinking and using cocaine at the same time. He didn’t believe he had a serious drinking problem, but realized the two habits were connected – he couldn’t use cocaine without also drinking. He’s now been sober from both 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. “I was definitely addicted to alcohol, and I’m not afraid to say that,” Holland shared. He believes that even having one drink a day can be a sign of a problem.
The actor explained that you eventually hit a point where you regret having that extra drink. Then, you wake up with a really bad headache.
After changing his 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 focused, healthier, and in better physical shape.
Sean Connery, famous for his role in Hunt for Red October, rarely discusses his decades-long battle with, and eventual success over, alcohol. He’s been sober for nearly forty years.
He shared in a May 2024 podcast that he doesn’t often talk about his sobriety, only bringing it up when relevant. He’s been sober for 39 years, since February 23, 1985.
Alec described a difficult period after his move to Los Angeles in 1983, admitting to a severe cocaine addiction. He said he used a tremendous amount of the drug for two years, comparing its prevalence at the time to that of coffee – many people were 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 finds New York City incredibly calming. He loves simply walking around and discovering new details he’s never noticed before – like architectural features on 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’s been sober for over five years. She told The New York Times that reaching this point feels like a significant achievement.
She explained her decision simply. “I realized it wasn’t the right path for me,” she said. “It felt difficult to completely reject it, but I had to. It’s like an allergy – if you have a serious reaction, you don’t try to fight it. I finally stopped questioning my instincts.”
She’s glad she made the change. “Personally, I’ve found that things have really improved,” she explained. “It used to drag me down, and I just don’t want to feel that way anymore.”
As someone who’s been through a lot and come out stronger, I was deeply honored to receive the 2018 Woman of the Year Award from the Peggy Albrecht Friendly House. It’s a wonderful organization that helps women rebuild their lives after struggling with addiction. Accepting that award made me reflect on my own journey, and I shared with the audience how close I came to losing everything due to some really self-destructive choices. It was a powerful reminder that recovery is possible, and I’m so grateful for organizations like theirs.
Looking back, I truly believe we all have pivotal moments that define us and set our course. Early in my career, I found myself heading down a really unhealthy path – despite any success I achieved, I constantly felt inadequate. I had lost all sense of self-worth, and things spiraled quickly into a full-blown crisis. At the time, I didn’t understand why, but now I almost feel like something – maybe even fate – intervened to help me get back on track.
I’ve been following Demi Moore’s story for a while now, and I was so moved by what she shared about getting help back in 2012. She talked about how two people, who were practically strangers to her, really stepped in and gave her a wake-up call. She joked that they basically told her she needed to get her act together or face the consequences, and I think that’s amazing! She said they gave her a chance to change direction before she completely lost everything, and it clearly made a huge difference. It’s inspiring to hear how a little push from unexpected sources can be so powerful.
Honestly, it’s like they knew my potential before I did! It’s amazing, and I’ll never forget it. They took a chance on me, really believed in me, and I owe everything to that. Without them seeing something special, I wouldn’t be where I am now, absolutely not.
I’ve been so impressed with Miley Cyrus’ honesty. She opened up about her struggles with Xanax and how she’s been in recovery since 2020. She shared with Rolling Stone that getting sober actually gave her the routine she desperately needed when she was going through a tough time. It wasn’t just about stopping the drug, but finding something positive and hopeful to focus on, and that’s incredibly inspiring to me.
The singer explained that once they discovered a way to briefly block out feelings and escape pain, they were finished with something – implying a turning point or end to a difficult period.
She explained that her friends at the time didn’t discourage her drug use, and it quickly spiraled out of control, becoming a never-ending cycle. During the pandemic, she realized she was struggling and felt disconnected. She remembered frequently falling asleep and being unable to stay awake, admitting she had gone too far.
She eventually sought help and noted that “it took some time to get on my own two feet.”
Oh my god, you guys, I just finished watching Eminem’s Stans documentary, and it was SO raw! He talked about how bad things got with the pills, like, a real overdose. And the worst part? He missed Hailie’s birthday party! That was the moment, he said, that everything clicked and he had to change. It was heartbreaking, but so powerful to see him be so honest. I’m just so proud of him for getting through it all.
He explained that he became emotional realizing he was on the verge of repeating a past mistake. He described a harsh internal monologue, repeatedly asking himself if he really wanted to miss out on life again. He pushed himself to persevere, even telling himself to do it for the sake of others if he couldn’t do it for himself.
Focusing on making music again was a key part of the Oscar winner’s recovery from addiction.
He was telling me how it just… worked. Like, he flipped a switch and the light came on. But more than that, he said something really powerful. He finally realized he wasn’t ashamed of being sober anymore. It was like a switch flipped inside him, too. He started seeing his sobriety as a strength, something to be proud of, and he was so happy he’d been able to quit. It was amazing to hear him say it.
The actor, known from the show Parenthood, had been sober for 16 years when they had a setback in 2020. After a motorcycle accident, they began taking Vicodin again.
He explained on his Armchair Expert podcast that he’s been taking prescription medication consistently for about the last eight weeks, and he’s also taking extra doses beyond what’s prescribed.
Honestly, it’s awful. I’m trapped in this cycle of lying to everyone around me, and deep down, I know I need to stop. The problem is, I’m needing more and more just to feel okay – I’ve gotten to the point where I’m taking eight 30s every single day, and I’m terrified of what will happen when I try to quit. The withdrawal is going to be brutal, and I’m starting to feel incredibly isolated and alone with this huge secret I’m carrying.
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 her naturally puffy eyes. The resulting prescription dramatically altered her life. She told People magazine that she spent ten years stealing and deceiving others, keeping her addiction a secret from everyone.
Honestly, 1998 was… rough. It all started when my sister came to visit that summer. She’d hurt her ribs and had these painkillers, and I… I just fixated on them. I remember seeing her suitcase in the guest room closet and knowing they were there, and it was like this awful pull. I took them. All of them. I knew she’d notice when she packed to leave, and I couldn’t pretend it hadn’t happened. So I wrote her a note, just confessing everything, and left it on her suitcase. When she found it, she didn’t yell, she didn’t get angry… she just hugged me. She told me she loved me, that she was worried sick, and that she couldn’t bear to watch me destroy myself. It was… it was the lowest I’d ever been, but her reaction… it was also the start of me trying to get better, I think.
Oh my god, it was February 3rd, 1999 – a date forever etched in my memory! That was the day Jamie finally opened up to Christopher Guest, her amazing husband. She told him about her struggles, and honestly, she said he couldn’t believe he hadn’t seen it before! And the best part? She’s been absolutely incredible and sober ever since. It just proves how strong she is, and I’m so proud of her for sharing her story!
Drew Barrymore, who has previously sought treatment for substance abuse, 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 beneficial to her life.
It’s amazing how freeing and nerve-wracking it feels to finally share who you are, what you believe in, and everything you’ve accomplished.
Drew Barrymore told the Los Angeles Times she avoids calling herself “sober” because she doesn’t want to give the impression she’s flawlessly righteous.
She explained that she used to tell herself, ‘I can learn this, I can solve this.’ But eventually, she came to the difficult conclusion that she wouldn’t ever truly become proficient at it.
Bradley Cooper battled a cocaine addiction in the early 2000s. His friend, Will Arnett, helped him by directly addressing the issue and confronting him about his struggles.
Cooper shared in a 2022 podcast interview that it was the first time he truly understood he was struggling with drugs and alcohol. He said he’ll never forget that moment.
Cooper said Arnett was instrumental in his decision to get sober, explaining that Arnett ‘took a risk by having a tough conversation with me, which ultimately led me to change my life.’
Edward Norton credits Bradley Cooper with helping him overcome a years-long battle with alcohol. Accepting an award at the 2020 National Board of Review Annual Awards, Norton shared that Cooper’s support was instrumental in getting sober, and he’s been happier every day since.
In September 2023, the former Cruel Intentions star revealed on Instagram that they had been without nicotine or marijuana—and other substances—for the longest period since their teenage years.
He expressed gratitude for overcoming addiction and dependence, saying that achieving sobriety brings a sense of clarity and a deeper spiritual connection, which feels truly good.
In 2018, the singer openly celebrated six years of being sober while on tour. However, she surprised her fans later that year with the release of her honest single, “Sober,” in which she admitted she had experienced a relapse.
She sang, filled with regret, apologizing to her parents for falling off the wagon. ‘Mom, I’m so sorry I’m not sober,’ she confessed, and pleaded with her father to forgive the mess she’d made. She also expressed gratitude to those who had stuck by her, acknowledging they’d faced similar struggles before, and repeating her apology for being unable to stay 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 she’s simply overcome. She needs time to focus on healing and getting better, and she’s incredibly grateful for all the support she’s received. She’s hopeful about the future and determined to continue fighting for her sobriety.
In 2018, she spoke about her past struggles with sex and alcohol addiction. She explained that her addictions tended to shift over time, and when she was younger, she believed sex could solve any problem. She then described realizing she had also developed a serious issue with drinking.
She recalled a moment when she was home alone and realized she was about to finish her third bottle of wine. That’s when she stopped and thought, ‘Wait a minute – drinking this much alone could be a sign of a real problem.’
I just stopped completely. That’s something I’m able to do. I tend to get really into things, and I always have to be mindful of that. It’s not necessarily what someone is doing, but how and why. It’s about the motivations behind the behavior. 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 shooting the music video for their 2000 hit, “The Call.” He later told Good Morning America that he was feeling extremely out of control during the video shoot. After a setback, he achieved sobriety in 2021 and experienced significant improvements in his health within a year, including losing 32 pounds over seven months by giving up alcohol and junk food.
He told People magazine in July 2025 that he’s committed to staying on his current path. He explained it’s something he works on every day, but following advice from the recovery community has dramatically improved his life.
While AJ acknowledged he is “still learning, still growing,” he’s now confident in who he is.
Okay, so he was talking about how he never understood the idea of personal boundaries before, which, honestly, just makes him even more fascinating. But now he gets them, and he called it a blessing! It’s like, he’s always been this incredible performer, ‘AJ’, this whole persona, but he was so clear that it’s not him. It’s Alexander James who’s the real person, the one underneath it all, and he really emphasized that. It’s just… everything about him is so layered and complex, and I’m completely captivated.
I was absolutely devastated when Mac Miller passed away, and it really got me thinking. It made me realize I needed to share my own story, something I’ve kept hidden for so long. I had to let my fans know what I went through. I started tweeting about how I used to be completely addicted to lean – that cough syrup stuff. Seriously, during the whole FACE OFF album with Omarion, I was high every single day. And remember when I went off on Torae on BET? Yeah, I was high then too. It totally changed my attitude, and I started losing fans, even my family was worried. I never glorified it in my music, though. It was awful. I was sipping that stuff, like, seven times a day during the UCP tour with Chris Brown! It got so bad that I collapsed backstage in Cincinnati and woke up in the hospital going through withdrawals. The pain was unlike anything I’ve ever felt. I was freezing, wearing three hoodies in the summer! I even missed shows in Chicago and Baltimore because I was sick and high. It was all to be cool, can you believe it? I’m telling you, it’s not worth it! I’m trying to be a better son, a better person. We need to save these kids, man. Parents, please watch your children and talk to them about this stuff. I almost died messing with syrup, and to this day, my stomach hasn’t been the same. Drug-free is the only way. We can’t lose anyone else, not one more person. I love you all, especially the young artists and kids around the world. Don’t follow trends, break the cycle! Peace.
In 2018, the singer publicly shared her struggles with addiction alongside 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 in the head at Kate Hudson’s Halloween party and knocking herself unconscious, Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin organized an intervention to help her.
I’ve seen this pattern so many times with clients – that feeling of utter emptiness where nothing brings joy or relief. It’s a really vulnerable admission, but this woman shared with The Guardian that she hit a point where she genuinely considered heroin because she felt like she’d exhausted every other option. It’s a stark reminder that when we’re truly struggling, even things we know are harmful can seem like a solution, however misguided. It speaks to the depth of her pain and the desperate search for something to fill the void.
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 in the 1980s, he was using cocaine almost every day, to the point where it impacted his finances. He described desperate pleas for help, begging for strength to stop before work, only to relapse by the afternoon, convincing himself it wasn’t a serious problem.
He described a powerful experience – what he called seeing a white light – where he felt like 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. His representative stated to TopMob News that Lochte had been struggling with alcohol for years, leading to 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 top form.
Despite knowing you shouldn’t get sober for another person, actor Jason Ritter credits his relationship with Melanie Lynskey as a significant 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.
He remembered feeling insecure at the beginning of their relationship. It was simpler to justify his actions by saying he was doing them for her, because he didn’t value his own well-being as much. He was more concerned with protecting her feelings than his own. At first, framing it as ‘doing it for her’ felt easier, but now he’s motivated by his own needs.
The country singer has been sober for almost ten years, but achieving that wasn’t easy. His struggle with alcohol and painkillers started shortly after high school and continued even as his career grew. He confessed to People magazine that he always kept a black leather laptop bag nearby, filled with bottles of Jagermeister or vodka, and would drink “every hour and a half to two hours.” He also admitted to taking pills “every three or 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 than I do today, and that’s what really worried me.”
In late 2011, he was hospitalized with pancreatitis and warned that his life was in danger if he didn’t stop drinking. He admitted he kept delaying getting help, trying to cut back on his own. “I’d tell myself, ‘Okay, just two pills today, and I’ll only drink this much,’” he remembered, explaining he’d even mark his bottles to track his consumption. “It would work for a couple of days, but then someone would have a party and it all fell apart.”
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, especially because he prided himself on being strong-willed, but this was one thing he couldn’t control.
Read More
- What Song Is In The New Supergirl Trailer (& What It Means For The DC Movie)
- Highly Anticipated Strategy RPG Finally Sets Release Date (And It’s Soon)
- TV legend Carol Kirkwood reveals the reasons why she decided to retire after 28 years with BBC
- Why is Tech Jacket gender-swapped in Invincible season 4 and who voices her?
- Dune 3 Gets the Huge Update Fans Have Been Waiting For
- MOUSE: P.I. For Hire Loops in Caravan Palace for A Catchy New Track Ahead of April 16 Release
- 49 Years Ago Today, Movie History Was Changed by a Film You’ve Never Even Seen
- Gold Rate Forecast
- The Most Surreal Moments From the O.J. Simpson Murder Trial
- Alan Ritchson’s Reacher Future Looks Hopeful Thanks To Amazon’s 10/10 Action Thriller Series
2026-04-07 04:20