Megan Rapinoe is keeping her late brother close to her heart.
It’s with a heavy heart I share that my brother, Michael, passed away in 2025 after a long battle with alcohol addiction. It’s a deeply personal loss, and I want to be open about the challenges families face with these struggles, hoping it can help others feel less alone.
Losing my half-brother Michael was incredibly hard, especially with all my siblings – Brian, my twin sister Rachael, Jenny, and another sister. It really made me stop and take a breath, which was unusual for me. I’ve always been so focused on soccer, and honestly, I think this constant drive was something I had to deal with even before I retired in 2023. It’s just… the cost of dedicating my life to the sport, I guess.
Megan realized she hadn’t spent this much time at home in ages. She reflected on how long it had been since she’d had a proper break, even for events like holidays or weddings.
Because of her brother’s death, the podcaster realized she and Michael shared a connection.
Megan observed that she recognized similar patterns of fixation, compulsiveness, and dependency in him as she saw in herself. She felt he was driven by a deep search for something elusive.
Megan’s compassion for her family extends to her brother Brian, who is recovering from addiction. He revealed in a 2019 interview with ESPN that he was completing a year-long program to help him successfully re-enter society after finishing his prison sentence.
In a 2020 interview with People magazine, Megan said she’s stopped blaming herself for past issues, but those experiences have helped her deeply understand and sympathize with people struggling with the opioid crisis.
Megan explained that Brian became seriously addicted to drugs. She believed he required a rehabilitation program rather than being sent to federal prison.
Abby shared that she connected with how hard it was for everyone to hear about the loss of their friend at the June get-together.
Abby shared that she and another person both recently lost brothers. Her brother, Peter G. Wambach Jr., passed away in 2023 after suffering a heart attack, and she described the situation as unbelievable.
To learn more about celebrities who have been open about addiction and sobriety, keep reading…
Following his DUI arrest in January 2026, the two-time NBA champion began seeking help for his addiction issues.
As someone who looks at wellness holistically, I always emphasize understanding addiction for what it is: a genuine brain disease – no different than something like cancer. It’s crucial to remember that, and honestly, nobody wants to be diagnosed with any serious illness.
Lamar explained that learning about disease has made it easier for him to maintain his sobriety. The more he understands about illness, the better equipped he is to stay sober.
The basketball star, who nearly died from a drug overdose in 2015, had said he wants to be a positive influence on others, especially after staying completely sober for over two months.
He explained to USA Today in March 2026 that while he’s naturally resilient both mentally and physically, he’s just as susceptible to wanting to escape through substance use as anyone else. He believes his survival was meant to inspire others to overcome their own challenges and find hope, and that’s likely why he was spared.
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 hopeful message.
He started trying to get sober more than five years ago, realizing his addiction to alcohol and drugs had become overwhelming. He quickly discovered it wasn’t going to be easy.
He shared that after a challenging 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 experiences, he thought about how difficult it was battling addiction and all the effort he put into keeping it a secret.
He described a cycle where he’d attend therapy, feel good afterward, and then immediately go buy and drink a large bottle of vodka before driving home. He explained on his wife Jenny Mollen’s podcast, All the Fails, that he used alcohol to disconnect from his feelings and escape reality, essentially removing himself from the present moment.
Honestly, I was really focused on pacing myself that night. I wanted to be fully present and able to connect with you, so I was being super mindful of how much I was drinking. I was constantly switching out my drink with water or something non-alcoholic – the bartender probably thought I was crazy!
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 inappropriately. She explained she took it constantly, often going for days without sleep. It was a chaotic time where she felt like she was pushing her body too far – she was both taking large amounts of the drug and snorting it, which created significant problems.
However, in the midst of her struggle, her college coach Anson Dorrance was there to support her.
She described a difficult time when things became very challenging, forcing her to adapt. 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, profoundly impacting her perspective.
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 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 Offset found incredibly touching.
Offset explained that the seemingly harmless comment really bothered him, saying he almost cried when he went back to his room.
The rapper explained he felt guilty as a father. He was worried his son didn’t realize he was using drugs, and even something as simple as his son wanting the same soda made him anxious. He feared he was unintentionally influencing his son’s behavior.
The Academy Award-winning actor has often openly discussed December 29, 1975, the date he stopped drinking.
In a October 2025 interview on The New York Times‘ podcast, The Interview, he admitted to driving drunk in California while essentially unconscious. He described having no idea where he was going and then realizing the danger he posed – that he could have seriously injured or killed himself or someone else. This moment, he said, led him to recognize his struggle with alcoholism.
With support from a friend, he started on the road to recovery. In December 2025, he celebrated 50 years of sobriety and shared an encouraging message with others who are struggling like he once did.
He urged people to embrace life in an Instagram message, repeating, “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 is struggling with addiction, specifically a problem with cocaine. He admitted it was difficult to talk about publicly.
He explained that he’s struggled with this issue intermittently since he was 23, and now at age 45, it continues to come and go. Sometimes he’d stop for a while, but other times he’d really focus on it.
Jax stopped drinking as part of getting sober from cocaine. He clarified he wasn’t sure if he had a drinking problem, but realized the two habits were connected – he couldn’t use cocaine without also drinking alcohol. As a result, he quit both. He’s currently proud to have been sober for over 82 days, which is the longest stretch of abstinence he’s ever experienced.
Tom Holland, known for his role as Spider-Man, quit drinking in 2022 because he felt controlled by alcohol. He admitted on the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast that he was addicted and believes even having one drink a day can be a sign of an issue.
The actor explained that you eventually realize you went too far, like after having one too many drinks. Then, you wake up with a really bad headache the next day.
After adopting a new way of life, Holland found that his sleep improved and he was better equipped to deal with challenges.
He explained that he was able to handle the usual stresses of a film set with ease. He felt mentally clear, healthy, and physically fit – a significant improvement from before.
Sean Connery, known for his role in Hunt for Red October, rarely discusses his recovery, which started nearly four decades ago.
He revealed in a May 2024 podcast that he doesn’t often talk about his sobriety, only mentioning it occasionally when relevant. He shared that he’s been sober for 39 years, since February 23, 1985.
Alec described a difficult period after relocating from New York to Los Angeles in 1983. He admitted to a severe cocaine addiction, saying he used an enormous amount of the drug for two years – so much that he felt it was pervasive in his life. He explained that cocaine use was incredibly common at the time, comparing it to how people drink coffee today.
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 noticing unique 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.
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 be firm. It’s like an allergy – if you have a serious reaction, you don’t try to fight it. I finally accepted that and stopped questioning it.”
She’s glad she made the change. She explained, “For me, things are just better now. It used to really bring me down, and I don’t want to dwell on negativity.”
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 harmful lifestyle almost ended her career.
I think we all have key moments that shape who we become and where our lives head. Early in my career, I was heading down a really destructive path. Even when I achieved success, I never felt satisfied or good enough. I didn’t value myself at all, and that quickly led to a crisis. At the time, I didn’t understand why, but it almost felt like something – or someone – intervened to help.
Moore, who received treatment in 2012, expressed gratitude to two strangers who gave her a wake-up call. She joked that they essentially told her she needed to get her life back on track or face the consequences. She said they gave her “a chance to change direction before I 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 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 helped me stay positive,” she explained.
The singer explained, “When I realized I could briefly block everything out and stop feeling the hurt, that’s when I knew it was finished.”
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 from her emotions. She remembers frequently falling asleep and being unable to stay awake or 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.”
As a longtime fan, it was incredibly moving to hear Eminem talk so openly in his documentary, Stans. He shared that hitting rock bottom – specifically, an overdose and missing Hailie’s birthday – was a real turning point for him. It made him realize he needed to change his life, and honestly, it was powerful to witness his vulnerability.
Honestly, hearing him talk about it just wrecked me. He said he actually cried because the thought of missing out on even a tiny piece of it was unbearable. It was like this desperate internal pep talk – he kept asking himself if he really wanted to go through life missing everything amazing again! And then… well, he got pretty intense with himself, telling himself not to be weak and that he needed to do it, at least for the people who believed in him. It was so raw and real, you could feel his pain and determination. I totally get it, honestly. The thought of missing anything he does is devastating!
Focusing on making music again played a key role in the Oscar-winning actor’s recovery from addiction.
He described how it activated a light. More importantly, he said he’d finally stopped feeling ashamed of being sober. He began to see his sobriety as a strength, and felt proud of overcoming his addiction.
Oh my gosh, I was SO worried when I heard! Apparently, he’d been amazing – sixteen whole years sober! But then, back in 2020, he had this terrible motorcycle accident and… well, he ended up taking Vicodin. It just broke my heart to learn that it led to a relapse after all that time.
He explained on his Armchair Expert podcast that he’s been taking prescription medication consistently for about the last two months. He also mentioned he’s taking more than the prescribed dosage.
He went on, saying he hated what was happening and felt like he was deceiving everyone around him. He knew he needed to stop, but his tolerance was increasing so fast that he was now using eight pills—each lasting thirty minutes—every day. He worried this high dosage would lead to severe withdrawal symptoms. He confessed to feeling increasingly frightened and isolated, burdened by a huge secret.
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, all in secret. “No one knew,” she said. “No one.”
Curtis recalls the summer of 1998 as her lowest point. Her sister arrived with prescription painkillers for a broken rib, and Curtis ended up stealing them all. Remembering the event brought her to tears as she explained how she confessed in a note left on her sister’s suitcase before she departed. Thankfully, her sister responded with love and concern, telling Curtis she didn’t want to see her destroy herself.
Jamie Lee Curtis went to her first support group meeting on February 3, 1999, and also told her husband, filmmaker Christopher Guest, about her past struggles with addiction. She explained he was surprised he hadn’t realized before, and she has remained sober ever since.
Drew Barrymore, who has openly struggled with substance abuse and received treatment 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 beneficial to her life.
She explained that sharing who you really are and everything you’ve achieved feels both incredibly freeing and deeply personal.
I’ve always believed labels can be limiting, and I feel the same way about ‘sober.’ As I shared with the Los Angeles Times, I prefer not to use that term because I don’t want anyone to assume I’m striving for some unattainable perfection or a rigidly strict lifestyle. It’s about finding what works for me, not fitting into a box.
She described a long struggle with something she couldn’t quite grasp. In 2023, she explained that she used to tell herself, ‘I can learn this, I can solve it.’ Eventually, though, she came to the difficult conclusion that mastery wasn’t possible for her – and never would be.
Bradley Cooper battled a cocaine addiction in the early 2000s. His friend, Will Arnett, helped him by directly addressing his issues.
Cooper shared in a 2022 podcast interview that this was when he first understood he was struggling with substance use, and he said he’ll never forget the experience.
Cooper explained that Arnett was instrumental in his decision to get sober, saying, “Arnett bravely confronted me, which ultimately led me to change my life.”
As someone who’s followed a lot of personal journeys, it’s always inspiring to see people support each other through tough times. I was really touched to hear Edward Norton share how Bradley Cooper helped him get sober. He actually said that Bradley was the reason he was able to turn things around, and that every day since has been a happier one. It’s a beautiful example of how meaningful a strong support system can be!
In September 2023, the former Cruel Intentions star revealed on Instagram that she had been without nicotine or marijuana – and other substances – for the longest time since her teenage years.
He expressed gratitude for overcoming addiction and dependence, saying that being sober brings a sense of peace, clear thinking, and a stronger connection to something greater than himself – and it feels wonderful.
In 2018, the singer first 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 to having struggled with relapse.
She sang, filled with regret: “Mom, I’m truly sorry I’ve lost my sobriety. And Dad, please forgive me for the mess I made… for everything that’s happened before. To those who have always stood by me, we’ve faced these struggles repeatedly – and I’m so sorry I’m not sober anymore.”
A month later, Lovato was hospitalized for a near-fatal overdose.
“I have always been transparent about my journey with addiction,” she wrote on Instagram two weeks later. “What I’ve learned is that this illness is not something that disappears or fades with time. It is something I must continue to overcome and have not done yet…I now need time to heal and focus on my sobriety and road to recovery. The love you have all shown me will never be forgotten and I look forward to the day where I can say I came out on the other side. I will keep fighting.”
In 2018, she spoke openly about her struggles with both sex and alcohol addiction. She explained that her addictions tended to shift over time, saying that 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 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 be developing a drinking problem.
I stopped abruptly. I’m good at doing that – completely cutting things out. I tend to get really fixated on things, so I always have to be careful. It’s not what you do, but why and how. Your motivations matter. For example, wanting a lot of sex is fine, but you need to examine the reasons behind it; that’s what’s important.
One member of the Backstreet Boys first experimented with drugs right before filming their music video for the song “The Call” in 2000. He later shared on Good Morning America that he was feeling very disoriented during the shoot. After a setback, he achieved sobriety in 2021 and experienced significant improvements to his health within a year – he lost 32 pounds over seven months by giving up alcohol and fast food.
He shared with People magazine in July 2025 that he was fully committed to staying on his current path. He described it as an ongoing daily effort, but explained that following advice from others in recovery had dramatically improved his life for the better.
While AJ acknowledged he is “still learning, still growing,” he’s now confident in who he is.
Okay, so he finally gets it! He was talking about how he’s learned to set boundaries – can you believe he never had any before?! It’s honestly such a relief to hear him say that. And then he explained ‘AJ’… it’s like, yeah, AJ is the character people see, part of his public image, but underneath all that, he’s really Alexander James! He made it so clear that ‘AJ’ isn’t him, you know? It’s just a role. And discovering that distinction, figuring out who Alexander James truly is…he called it a blessing, and honestly, I feel blessed too!
Following the tragic death of Mac Miller, rapper Bow Wow (born Shad Moss) revealed on Twitter that he once 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 high on the substance during a well-known on-stage confrontation with Torae on BET, and that it negatively impacted his attitude, relationships with fans and family. Despite never mentioning lean in his music, he was heavily addicted, consuming it at least seven times a day during his UCP tour with Chris Brown. He experienced severe withdrawal symptoms after collapsing backstage in Cincinnati, landing him in the hospital.
Bow Wow described the pain of withdrawal as unlike anything he’d ever felt, causing him to feel intensely cold and forcing him to miss shows in Chicago and Baltimore. He explained he was using the drug simply to fit in, and urged others to avoid the same mistake, encouraging them to be good sons and daughters and strive to be their best selves. He vowed to speak out more about the dangers of drug use, emphasizing the need to protect young people and save them from early deaths, and asking parents to talk to their children about the risks.
He concluded by sharing that he still suffers from stomach problems as a result of his addiction, and reiterated his commitment to staying drug-free. He urged his fans, especially young artists, to break the cycle of drug use and choose a healthier path, stressing that they are loved and valued and that no one else should be lost.
In 2018, the singer opened up about her struggles with addiction alongside the release of her album No Shame and her memoir, My Thoughts Exactly. She revealed she had been using cocaine and drinking excessively. Things came to a head when, at Kate Hudson’s Halloween party, she accidentally hit Orlando Bloom in the head – knocking herself unconscious – which led Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin to stage an intervention.
In an interview with The Guardian, she described a period of intense unhappiness, saying that she felt nothing could bring her relief. She recalled waking up one morning and considering trying heroin because other things hadn’t helped.
The actor known for The Parent Trap struggled with cocaine addiction during the 1980s, eventually entering rehab 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, he was using cocaine almost every day, to the point where it was impacting his finances. He described desperately pleading with God to help him stop, often right before work, only to find himself rationalizing his habit just hours later, thinking 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 afterward, he decided to get help. He says this marked the end of his struggle with cocaine.
Okay, so after that whole crazy thing in Newport Beach – you know, when Ryan tried to break down his hotel room door? – he finally decided to get help in 2018, and honestly, it was a relief to hear. His team said he’s been struggling with alcohol for years, and it had become this really destructive cycle for him. They said he finally admitted he needed professional help to get better, and that he was starting treatment right away. As a huge fan, I was just so glad he was taking steps to deal with it, you know? It was scary seeing everything unfold, but I’m really hoping he gets the support he needs.
According to a recent statement, Ryan understands that overcoming this illness is crucial – not only to make sound choices moving forward, 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 reclaiming 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 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 think he was that person, 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 start of my relationship, I realize I used to tell myself I was making sacrifices for her. Honestly, it was a way to avoid admitting I didn’t value my own well-being very much at the time. Protecting her feelings felt more important than protecting my own. So, that’s what I focused on – framing everything as being ‘for her.’ But now? Now I finally understand I deserve to prioritize myself, and that’s what drives me.
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 gained momentum. He confessed to People magazine that he always kept a black leather laptop bag stocked with Jagermeister or vodka, needing “a drink every hour and a half to two hours” and “a pill or two every three or four hours.”
You know, people often assume struggles automatically derail your life, but I’ve found that’s just not true. This artist I spoke with put it perfectly – he wasn’t falling apart at all. In fact, he was incredibly productive, even more so than he is today, which was the really unsettling thing for him. It just goes to show you can be high-functioning even while dealing with something difficult, and sometimes, that’s the most surprising part of it all.
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, trying to cut back himself. “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 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 this alone.” He admitted it was frustrating and humiliating, especially because he prided himself on being strong-willed, but this was one challenge he couldn’t conquer.
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2026-06-13 03:25