Joshua Bassett is getting candid about his struggle with addiction.
The former star of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series detailed his struggle with ketamine addiction and seeking treatment. In his new memoir, Rookie: My Public, Private and Secret Life, he revealed that his addiction became so severe he was using six baggies of the drug alone each night.
Joshua explained in a recent interview with TopMob News that people can build a tolerance to ketamine extremely quickly. He said that the amount needed to get the same effect can increase dramatically – going from needing a small amount to needing a much larger quantity, almost six times as much, in a short period of time.
It eventually turned into a vicious cycle where I only felt okay when I was heavily under the influence. Eventually, things got so bad that I realized I needed to seek help.
When Joshua—author of a newly released book—realized he was overwhelmed while trying to manage his feelings, those close to him alerted him. This helped him get the support he needed to improve his well-being.
I’ve been hearing more and more about the power of alternative therapies, and it’s fascinating. One person I know had a really profound experience with ayahuasca – it’s a psychedelic treatment that’s showing a lot of promise in helping people work through things like depression, PTSD, and even addiction. It’s amazing to see how these approaches can really help transform someone’s life.
Joshua described hitting rock bottom with his ketamine addiction as a major turning point in his life. He then shared that he had a deeply meaningful spiritual experience with Jesus, possibly during an ayahuasca trip, which he acknowledged others might not fully grasp.
He explained that the hallucinogenic therapy brought him a sense of peace he’d been desperately seeking, a peace he hadn’t found through his various addictions.
After getting support himself, Joshua now helps others struggling with addiction, explaining that they are just ordinary people dealing with difficult pain.
He explained that the first and most difficult step is acknowledging you’re facing a challenge, because once you do, you have to begin addressing it. For anyone battling addiction, he emphasized the importance of self-compassion, stating that you can’t overcome it through self-hatred or shame. Instead, he suggested gently guiding yourself toward healthier choices.
Joshua’s advice for those with loved ones battling addiction is simple: remember that connection, not isolation, is the key to recovery.
He explained that people are often hurting because of past trauma, emotional wounds, and feelings of loneliness or isolation. He emphasized that you can’t pressure someone to share what they’re going through – the most important thing is to accept and love them as they are.
As Joshua put it, “Love really is the solution for the wounds that we have.”
For more stars who have been open about navigating their addictions, keep reading…
Following his DUI arrest in January 2026, the two-time NBA champion began seeking help for his addiction issues.
He explained on Page Six Radio that addiction is a brain disease, similar to cancer, and that no one would willingly choose to have such an illness.
You know, listening to Lamar talk really hit home for me. He explained it so simply: the more he learns about how addiction affects the body and mind, the easier it becomes for him to stay on the path to recovery. It’s like knowledge is actually helping him stay sober, and honestly, it’s incredibly inspiring to hear him say it.
The basketball star, after overcoming a life-threatening drug overdose in 2015, recently shared how he wants to inspire others, celebrating over 60 days of sobriety.
He explained to USA Today in March 2026 that while he’s always been strong mentally and physically, he’s just as vulnerable to wanting to escape reality as anyone else. He believes his survival was meant to inspire others and give them the confidence to overcome their own challenges.
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 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 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 shared on his wife Jenny Mollen’s podcast, All the Fails, that he was in therapy but also struggling with alcohol. He described a cycle where he’d leave a productive therapy session and immediately go buy vodka, drink it to excess, and then drive home. He admitted he used alcohol to disconnect from his feelings and escape from dealing with his life and the present moment.
He explained that he’d carefully planned how much to drink, wanting to stay coherent enough to talk to me. He mentioned he was constantly swapping out the bottles at the bar to control his alcohol 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 a chaotic period, and she worried about causing serious health problems like a heart attack. She admitted to crushing and snorting the pills, acknowledging how deeply problematic her behavior had become.
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. It helped her understand and cope with suffering by changing her perspective.
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 reason he changed his life.
Offset shared a 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 struck Offset was when his son noticed the color of his Fanta was different and asked why, which he found incredibly touching.
Offset explained that the seemingly harmless comment really upset him, adding, “I almost cried when I went back to my room.”
The rapper explained he felt guilty as a parent. 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 drink.
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 posed – 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.
After getting support from a friend, he started a new chapter in his life. In December 2025, he celebrated 50 years of sobriety and shared a message of hope with others who are facing the same struggles he did many years ago.
He encouraged people to embrace life in an Instagram message, repeating the word ‘life’ multiple times to emphasize its importance: “Choose life instead of the opposite. Life, life, life, and more life.”
The Valley star shared his decades-long battle with drugs in March 2025 after going to rehab.
It was really brave of Jax to share this, but he recently opened up on the Hot Mic podcast and revealed he’s been struggling with addiction. He specifically talked about his issues with cocaine, and he admitted it was incredibly difficult to even say the words out loud. As a long-time follower, I really admire his honesty and willingness to be vulnerable.
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 the behavior, but other times engage in it intensely.
Jax stopped drinking and using cocaine at the same time. He clarified that while he wasn’t sure he had a serious drinking problem, he always used cocaine with alcohol, so he decided to quit both. He’s now been sober for over 82 days – the longest stretch of sobriety 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 having a drink every day could indicate a problem.
The actor went on to say that you eventually hit a point where you regret having that extra drink. Then, you wake up with a really bad headache the next morning.
After changing his lifestyle, Holland found he was sleeping more soundly and coping with challenges more effectively.
He explained that he was much more relaxed and able to handle problems on set. He felt mentally clear, healthier, and in better physical shape.
Sean Connery, known for his role in Hunt for Red October, rarely discusses his nearly forty-year journey with sobriety.
He shared in a May 2024 podcast that he doesn’t often talk about his sobriety, only mentioning it when relevant. He revealed he’s been sober for 39 years, since February 23, 1985.
Alec described a difficult period following 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 – everyone around him 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 finds New York City incredibly relaxing. He loves simply walking around and discovering new details he’s never noticed before – like architectural features on buildings he’s passed countless times. 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 felt like a significant achievement.
You know, I’ve always believed in trusting your gut. I realized something wasn’t right for me, and honestly, it felt like forcing it would be…well, extreme. I kept thinking, ‘Surely there’s something I can do,’ but then it hit me: if you have a serious allergy, you don’t negotiate with it, right? You just stop. That’s what I had to do – stop questioning it and accept what I knew deep down was true.
She’s glad she made the change. “I’ve found things are just better overall,” she explained. “It used to really bring me down, and I don’t want to feel that way.”
When accepting the 2018 Woman of the Year Award from the Peggy Albrecht Friendly House—a program helping women recover from addiction—Moore discussed how a period of self-destructive behavior almost ended her career.
I think we all have moments that truly change us and determine where our lives go. Early in my career, I was heading down a really destructive path. Even when I achieved success, I never felt satisfied or good enough about myself. I had very little self-worth, and things quickly reached a breaking point. At the time, I didn’t understand why, but it almost felt like something – maybe fate – intervened.
In 2012, seeking help, Moore expressed gratitude to two people she hadn’t known well who essentially challenged her to change her life. She jokingly said they told her she needed to show up unless she wanted to die, explaining that they gave her an opportunity to get back on track 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 have achieved her current success without their support.
Miley Cyrus revealed in 2022 that she’s been working to overcome 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 overthinking,” she explained, adding, “It really gave me hope.”
The singer explained that once they discovered a way to briefly escape their pain, they were finished with whatever was causing it. Essentially, finding a way to tune it all out was the end of the struggle.
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 remembers being constantly drowsy, unable to stay awake or even keep her head up because of how deeply affected she was.
She eventually sought help and noted that “it took some time to get on my own two feet.”
In his 2025 documentary, Stans, Eminem opened up about his past struggles with prescription pills. He revealed that an overdose and missing his daughter Hailie Jade’s birthday were turning points that led him to change his life.
He explained that he became emotional realizing he was on the verge of repeating a past mistake. He recalled desperately asking himself if he really wanted to miss out on life again, and urging himself to persevere, even if just for the sake of his loved ones.
Focusing on making music again was a key part of the Oscar winner’s recovery from addiction.
He described how it activated a light switch. This made him realize he wasn’t ashamed of being sober anymore. Instead, he began to view his sobriety as a strength, and felt proud of overcoming his addiction.
The actor, known from the show Parenthood, had been sober for 16 years when they had a relapse in 2020. This happened after a motorcycle accident and they began taking Vicodin again.
He explained on his Armchair Expert podcast that he’s been taking prescription medication consistently for about the past two months, and is also taking extra doses beyond what’s prescribed.
He admitted he was miserable and felt he had to stop, but his tolerance was increasing rapidly. He was now using eight pills a day, a dosage he knew would cause severe withdrawal symptoms. This scared him, and he was also feeling incredibly isolated, burdened by a huge secret he was keeping from everyone.
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, “I spent ten years stealing and deceiving people. Absolutely no one knew.”
In the summer of 1998, Curtis reached a turning point when her sister came to visit and brought pain medication for a broken rib. Remembering the moment, Curtis recalled taking all of her sister’s painkillers. She knew her sister would discover the missing pills before leaving, so she confessed in a note left on the suitcase. When her sister returned, 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 on 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 she was going through this, and she has been sober ever since.
Drew Barrymore, who has previously sought treatment for substance abuse, revealed in 2021 that she had reached a significant point in her recovery. In an interview on CBS Mornings, she shared that she’d been sober for two and a half years, explaining that alcohol simply wasn’t benefiting her life anymore.
It’s amazing how freeing and nerve-wracking it feels to finally share who we are, what we believe in, and everything we’ve achieved.
Drew Barrymore later told the Los Angeles Times she avoids calling herself “sober” because she doesn’t want to be seen as someone who’s overly strict or judgmental.
You know, for a long time I was stuck in this cycle of thinking I could perfect something – that with enough effort, I’d finally ‘get it.’ I kept telling myself I’d figure it out. But eventually, I had a real breakthrough. I realized that sometimes, things just aren’t meant to be mastered, and that’s okay. It was incredibly freeing to accept that I wouldn’t – and didn’t need to – conquer everything.
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 understood he was struggling with substance use. He said he’ll never forget that moment of realization.
Cooper explained that Arnett’s honest and difficult conversation was the turning point that led him to get sober and change his life.
Edward Norton credited Bradley Cooper with helping him overcome a long struggle with alcohol. Accepting an award from Cooper at the 2020 National Board of Review 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 she hadn’t used nicotine or marijuana – or any substances, really – for the longest time since her 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.
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 song “Sober,” in which she admitted she had experienced a relapse.
She sang, filled with regret: “Mom, I’m truly sorry I’ve lost my sobriety. Dad, please forgive me for the mess I’ve made. And to those of you who’ve stuck with me, I know we’ve faced this before, but I’m so sorry I’m struggling again.”
A month later, Lovato was hospitalized for a near-fatal overdose.
Okay, so she finally posted about everything, and honestly, it broke my heart but also made me so proud of her. She said she’s always been open about her struggles, and she really emphasized that addiction isn’t something you just get over. It’s a constant battle, and she’s still fighting it. She needs space to heal and really focus on getting better, and she said she’ll never forget all the support we’ve given her. She’s determined to come out stronger on the other side, and I’m just… I’m living for her strength right now. I’m just sending all my love and hoping she knows how much we believe in her. She will keep fighting, and I’ll be here cheering her on every step of the way!
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 also described realizing she had developed a problematic relationship with alcohol.
I’ll never forget hitting a really low point. I was home alone and was actually about to open my third bottle of wine. That’s when it hit me – I was by myself, already on bottle number three, and I realized I might have a serious problem. It was a wake-up call, honestly.
I stopped completely, and that’s something I’m able to do. I tend to get really into things, so I always have to be mindful of my habits. It’s not necessarily what you do, but how and why you do it. It’s the underlying behavior that matters. For example, wanting to have a lot of sex is fine, but it’s important to understand why you want that.
Backstreet Boy 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 extremely out of control during filming. After a setback, he achieved sobriety in 2021 and experienced significant improvements in his health within a year, including losing 32 pounds in seven months by eliminating alcohol and junk food.
He told People magazine in July 2025 that he’s committed to staying on his current path. He described it as a daily effort, but said he’s finally taken advice from the recovery community, which has dramatically improved his life.
While AJ acknowledged he is “still learning, still growing,” he’s now confident in who he is.
I’ve been learning to set healthy boundaries, something I didn’t used to do. It’s been really helpful. ‘AJ’ is a part of my public image, but it doesn’t represent the whole me. My real name is Alexander James, and that’s who I truly am.
Following the unexpected 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 explained that during the time he and Omarion worked on their album, FACE OFF, he was using lean daily. He admitted to being high on the substance during a memorable on-stage moment at BET, where he confronted Torae. He described how the drug changed his attitude and strained relationships with fans and family, despite never mentioning it in his music. Bow Wow detailed his severe addiction during the UCP tour with Chris Brown, consuming codeine syrup at least seven times a day. He experienced withdrawal symptoms so severe that he collapsed backstage at a show in Cincinnati and woke up in the hospital. He described the pain as unlike anything he’d ever felt, noting he was constantly cold and had to wear multiple hoodies. He missed shows in Chicago and Baltimore because he was high and sick. He urged his fans to avoid drugs, emphasizing that he’d been using them to appear cool. He encouraged young people to be good sons and daughters and to strive to be their best selves, stating he wanted to be more open about his past. He expressed concern for the youth and asked parents to talk to their children about the dangers of drug use, sharing that he nearly died from his addiction. He concluded by saying his stomach has never fully recovered and that staying drug-free is the best path forward, urging everyone to break the cycle and prioritize their lives.
As a longtime fan, it was really brave of Lily Allen to share so much of her personal struggles in 2018 with both her album No Shame and her memoir My Thoughts Exactly. She was incredibly open about how bad her addiction had become – she admitted to using cocaine and drinking to the point where she described herself as ‘parasitically drunk.’ Things came to a head, she said, when she accidentally hit Orlando Bloom with her head at Kate Hudson’s Halloween party and knocked herself unconscious. Apparently, Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin stepped in and organized an intervention after that incident.
In an interview with The Guardian, she revealed a period of deep unhappiness, explaining, “I felt completely unfulfilled. I remember one morning thinking that heroin might be the only thing that could help, because I’d tried everything else.”
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 towards 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 moments, pleading with God to help him stop, knowing he had to be at work soon. But he also admitted to quickly rationalizing his behavior, telling himself it wasn’t a big deal just hours later.
He described a powerful experience – what he called seeing a white light – where he felt as if 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. He says this marked the end of his struggle with cocaine.
Following an incident in Newport Beach where swimmer Ryan Lochte attempted to break down his hotel room door, he began treatment for alcohol addiction in 2018. A representative for Lochte stated that he had been struggling with alcohol abuse for years, leading to harmful behaviors. Lochte recognized his need for professional help and is now receiving treatment.
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 competitive edge.
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 great. Appearing on The Drew Barrymore Show in March 2023, he admitted he didn’t feel up to the task, feeling 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 prioritized avoiding her pain over his own. ‘It was easier to say I was doing it for her,’ he said. ‘But now, I’m doing things for my own sake.’
The country singer has been sober for almost ten years, but achieving that took a lot of effort. 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. He described needing to drink “every hour and a half to two hours,” and taking pills “every three or four hours.”
Despite his health issues, he continued to thrive. “I wasn’t falling apart,” he explained. “Actually, I was more productive then than I am today, and that’s what really worried me.”
In late 2011, he ended up in the hospital with pancreatitis and received a stark warning: he wouldn’t live to see his next birthday if he didn’t stop drinking. He admitted he kept delaying the inevitable, attempting to cut back on his own. “I’d tell myself things like, ‘Okay, just two pills today,’ or ‘I’ll only drink this much from the bottle and mark where I stopped,’” he remembered. “It would work for a couple of days, but then someone would have a party and I’d start all over again.”
I was so relieved when I heard he finally got help – he checked into rehab on December 18, 2011. He admitted it got to the point where he just couldn’t beat it alone. It clearly frustrated and embarrassed him, which was understandable. He’s always been a strong person, but this was one battle he couldn’t win on his own, and I admired his courage in facing it.
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2026-05-15 02:20